VOICE TECHNIQUES

“WORDS MEAN MORE THAN WHAT IS SET DOWN

ON PAPER. IT TAKES THE HUMAN VOICE

TO INFUSE THEM WITH DEEPER MEANING.

— Maya Angelou

VOICE▸ main instrument while

giving a presentation

Tempo and Chunking- vary the speed, pause from time

to time

Pitch and Intonation- vary the pitch

Volume- adjust voice to the sound of

audience

Vocal Delivery: General Advice

Articulation- pronounce words clearly

Sentence length and style- keep sentences fairly short, be

natural

Language Mistakes and Accent- check problematic words

Vocal Delivery: General Advice

IMPORTANT VOICE

TECHNIQUES

STRESS- change meaning of words/sentences by stressing▸ We all know that this is an extremely difficult

market. (it’s more than just difficult)

▸ We all know that this is an extremely difficult market. (you and I agree on this)

▸ We all know that this is an extremely difficult market. (but they don’t)

▸ We all know that this is an extremely difficult market. (but we do little about it)

PACING- use pauses to slow your pace down and make your sentences easier to understand and more effective sounding

▸ In my opinion we should go into other markets.In my opinion // we should go // into other

markets.

▸ On the other hand, the figures prove that we are on the right track.

On the other hand, // the figures prove // that we are on the right track.

EMPHASIZING- exaggerate a little

WAYS TO EMPHASIZE

1. Stressing unstressed or contracted words.

2. Placing emphasis on particular words and phrases.

3. Using INTENSIFIERS to emphasize points.

4. The ‘what ... is ...’ pattern.

5. The use of verbs.

EMPHASIZING

1. Stressing unstressed or contracted words.

Neutral Remark Emphatic Remark_____

It’s our best chance of success. It is our best chance of success.

We’re hoping for a better deal. We were hoping for a better deal.

We’re doing the best we can. We are doing the best we can.

EMPHASIZING2. Placing emphasis on particular words and

phrases.

This was successful.

This was very sucCESSful.

This was VEry successful.3. Using INTENSIFIERS to emphasize points.

1. I’m afraid it just isn’t good enough — the entire system needs updating.

2. We really need to rethink our whole recruitment procedure.

EMPHASIZING

EMPHASIZING4. The ‘what ... is ...’ pattern.

We can’t expect too much.What we can’t do is expect too much too soon.

I’d like to approach this question from two different angles.

What I’d like to do is approach this question from two different angles.

5. The use of verbs.

1. I’d like to stress the following point.

2. I’d like to draw your attention to the latest figures.

GENERAL ADVICEBe Articulate

Keep your sentences shortCheck the spelling of difficult words

KEY POINTS:

TO CREATE RICH DELIVERY:Vary the speed, volume

intonationUse various Stress, Pacing and EmphasisSound natural. Be eloquent and

vivid.

KEY POINTS: