Pauses and phrasing
Speak in thought groups and let silence do the emphasis. Lesson 30 of 70: Articulation, every level.
Thought groups
- Speak in chunks of three to eight words, each one idea, with a short pause between: “The results this quarter / were better than expected, / mainly because / of the new product.” A pause lets the listener catch up and gives you time to think. Pausing is not hesitating: a hesitation is filled with “um”; a pause is clean silence.
- The results this quarter / were better than expected.
- What we need now / is a decision.
The power pause
- Pause before your key point and after it. Two seconds feels long to you and powerful to the room. Pause after a question to let it land. Pause before a number so people are ready for it. Mark your notes with slashes for short pauses and double slashes for long ones.
- And the result? // Sales doubled. (A pause before the answer)
- The key point is this: // we need to decide today.
- Tip: Count “one-and-two” silently in your head for a power pause. It will feel too long. It is not.
Lines to have ready
- The key point is this: (Before your main message)
- So what does this mean? // It means… (A question and a pause)
- Let that sink in for a moment. (After a strong point)
- Here is the number: // forty percent. (A pause before a figure)
Your turn to speak
- Take a short speech or presentation opening you will use. Mark every pause with / and every power pause with //. Record it, counting “one-and-two” at each double slash.
- I spoke in clear thought groups
- My power pauses felt long to me and right on the recording
- I used silence, not fillers
Watch your video back for
- Eye contact: on the camera, not the screen or the floor
- Posture: upright and still, shoulders down
- Hands: visible and open, moving with the words
- Face: it shows what you mean, and smiles where it should
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