I had the perfect speech. Every supporting point, every word, perfect down to the shocking conclusion; there’s no way I could lose with this. Every word memorized and ideas backed up on note cards, I strode towards the podium and as the powerpoint started, launched into the masterpiece that would define my semester.
Upon reviewing the video recording of the speech, there was little wonder why the audience was hardly moved by my opus. I was standing stock-still, barely moving, and uttering my inspired verses just below audible level; I saw people straining to hear me. At one point it was 20 seconds of guttural “um’s” and “so you know..”
What was lacking? Some signs of life, some conversational style that people are used to, what they’re best attuned to. Instead of becoming as still as the overhead projector, why not just speak as we are friends? The difference is to communicate this way, but in a slightly exaggerated manner in order to address a crowd.
After a bit of research, I pared down essential vocal qualities to five facets: volume, rate, pitch, pronunciation and articulation. These can be improved separately, but they work together to produce a more effective speaking tone for a variety of occasions and environments. These nonverbal qualities form in our minds what kind of message is being delivered and what we feel about the tone of delivery determines whether to listen or not.
- Volume
Even with a small room, a speaker usually has to raise their voice to make their voice recognized as the dominant sound in the room; the speaker should also be concerned with what could be too loud. A speaker should take note of three things: how large the room is, how many people are in attendance, and if there are any ambient noises that could interfere. Be sure that your furthermost audience member can clearly and comfortably hear you, and make a point of scanning the audience for feedback.
In order to project your voice more, “force” your voice from your diaphragm. This makes it easier to speak in a louder tone without straining your vocal chords. This way of breathing also allows for a richer tone of voice and stress relief.
- Rate
Have you ever spoken with someone who seemed to never stop, never slow down? How about a class with a particularly boring teacher? Many times the most interesting subjects can be turned to confusion or boredom because of the rate of the speaker. While there is a general range of speaking rates, the rate of someone giving a presentation may vary immensely, and often during a speech.
A speaker’s rate basically tells the audience how to react to the message; excited? Curious? Involved? It will be contained in how fast and in what tone the speaker gives the words. Speak at a rate that conveys the “mood” of the material; lend an emotional atmosphere to the environment you are creating for the audience. Take a look at famous public speakers, sitcom characters, even people you know, and notice how their speaking flow shifts and pauses in order to give a particular meaning to their message. Take advantage of the emotional responses that your audience has to these vocal inflections.
- Pitch
Listen to yourself as you speak, take note of how you raise and lower your voice in order to emphasize certain points and the kind of emotional intent that you put behind them. The way we change and arrange our pitch carries with it an effect that is more felt than heard. Remember the point about having an exaggerated conversational style? Here’s where you learn to control rooms of people just through speaking.
Public speaking is in large part play-acting, where the emotions and messages are large enough to be broadcast across a space. Make an audio recording of your speech, and play it back, noting where you could add emphasis or even add double meaning to your material. The result is that it should convey what the speaker feels about the message; and how the audience should feel when hearing it.
- Pronunciation and Articulation
Like it or not, one thing that everybody does is judge another by the way they speak.
Noted differences in accents, dialects, and comprehension level make an impression upon the audience, and determine how they think about the speaker. This is why knowing proper pronunciation (the formation of a given word), and articulation (the quality of clarity in speaking), is essential.
Listen to a recording of your speech, and note places where the words are not as clear. If you find yourself mumbling, practice the part slowly, drawing out each sound of the words. This with get you comfortable with clearly connecting sounds that might otherwise become slurred, usually due to habit; various exercises and focal points have been made to help you better articulate.