Communication Delivery — Rate, Volume, Pitch, Pause
Voice + Nonverbal
Voice Effective
An effective voice drives home ideas.
Over Half Nonverbal
50%+ Nonverbal
Communication experts believe over half of the meaning of any message may be communicated nonverbally.
Rate
No Correct Speed
There is no correct speed for every speech.
Listening vs Speaking Speed
120 Words Per Minute
Consider that people can listen four to five times faster than the normal spoken rate of 120 words a minute.
Speaking Too Slowly
Too Slow Risk
So, if you speak too slowly, you may lose the interest of an audience who is processing information much faster than you are delivering it.
Rate for Effect
Rate for Effect
Also, consider:
- Speaking at a faster rate to indicate excitement or sudden action
- A slower rate to hint at a calm or more serious message
Volume
Volume Use
Volume is a verbal technique that can be used to give emphasis to your speech.
Loud or Soft for Emphasis
Soft Often More Effective
Consider speaking louder or softer to emphasize a point — a softer level or lower volume is often the MORE EFFECTIVE way to achieve emphasis.
Room Considerations
Volume + Room Size
Depending on the type of room, it may be necessary to talk louder in front of a large crowd to ensure everyone in the room can hear the message.
Microphone Use
Microphone Recommendation
When possible, use a portable microphone, particularly in large auditoriums.
Volume Balance
Volume Balance
If the audience must strain to hear you, they will eventually tune you out from exhaustion, but the front row will not want to feel like they are being yelled at the entire time either.
Pitch
Pitch Definition
Pitch is the use of higher or lower notes in voice range.
Avoid Monotone
Variety Captures Attention
Using variety in speech pitch helps to avoid monotone delivery and capture the listener's attention.
How to Use Pitch
Pitch Method
Starting with a voice range that is comfortable for you and then adjusting pitch for emphasis may help make communication more interesting.
Inflection Patterns
Two Inflection Patterns.
- Downward (high to low) inflection in a sentence — air of certainty
- Upward (low to high) inflection — air of uncertainty
Pause
Pause Function
Pause gives:
- A speaker time to catch their breath
- The audience time to absorb ideas
Pause Lengths
Pause Lengths
Short pauses usually divide points within a sentence.
Long Pauses
Long pauses note the ends of sentences.
Longer Pauses
Longer pauses can be used for breaks between main points or transitions between an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Pause for Effect
Pause for Effect
Another use for the pause is to 'pause for effect' or to set off an important point worthy of short reflection.
One Mississippi
One Mississippi Method
Sometimes a pause may seem long to the speaker, but allow time for a true (one Mississippi, two Mississippi, three…) pause for emphasis.