Chapter Eighteen The Voice in Delivery

Chapter Eighteen Table of Contents zVolume zPitch zRate zPauses zVocal Variety zPronunciation and Articulation*

The Voice in Delivery zUsed properly, your voice should express who you are and convey your message in a way that engages listeners.*

Volume zVolume is the relative loudness of a speaker’s voice while giving a speech. zLoudness depends on: ySize of room/number of people yAvailability of a microphone yBackground noise*

Pitch zPitch is the range of sounds from high to low. zIntonation is the rising and falling of pitch across phrases and sentences. zPitch: yConveys mood yReveals level of enthusiasm yExpresses concern for the audience ySignals your overall commitment to the occasion*

Rate zSpeaking rate is the speed with which a speaker talks. zVarying the speaking rate is the most effective way to hold an audience’s attention and convey the meaning of your speech.*

Rate zThough there is no ideal rate, most public speeches are delivered at about 120 words per minute.*

Pauses zPauses are important strategic elements of a speech that enhance meaning by providing: yPunctuation yEmphasis of a point yTime to draw attention to a key point yA moment for listeners to contemplate what is being said*

Pauses zUse pauses instead of vocal fillers, or unnecessary and undesirable phrases such as “you know,” and “it’s like.”*

Vocal Variety zVocal variety refers to the way that volume, pitch, rate, and pauses work together to create effective delivery.*

Pronunciation and Articulation zPronunciation yThe correct formation of word sounds zArticulation yClarity or forcefulness with which sounds are made, regardless of pronunciation zEvery culture has subcultural variations on the preferred pronunciations and articulations of its language.*