Appropriate Talking Speed: The 6th of the 7 Techniques Utilized by Effective Public Speakers & Storytellers

1. Good Eye-Contact

2. No Distracting Motions

3. Good Enthusiasm & Expression

4. Good Preparation

5. Good Use of Voice & Good Volume

6. Appropriate Talking Speed

7. Good Use of Body & Hand Gestures

This article will address the importance of using appropriate talking speed when you perform.

Storytellers shouldn't talk so far that people can't understand nor so slowly that people fall asleep. Use a talking speed that is just right for the situations in the story.

Stop for breath now and then. I used to tell my students to make certain that they stopped at each period and paused at each comma. In other words, don't let one word run into the next. Speak clearly and distinctly. Use the appropriate talking speed for words and sentences to achieve the effect you want to create. For example, in telling a suspenseful story, you might want certain words to be spoken slowly and softly, then "jump in for the kill" as you abruptly speak loudly and quickly.

DRAMATIC PAUSES ADD EXCITEMENT AND BUILD SUSPENSE

A skilled storyteller utilizes what I call dramatic pauses between some words or sentences for special effect. It is those moments of silence that enables the audience to paint mind pictures in their mind of the action and characters of the story.

For example, I tell a Civil War love story called "The Golden Pencil." My great, great grandmother Salome was convinced to secretly carry notes between rich Jenny Bender and a poor man she was forbidden to love. In my story, Jenny asks:

"Salome, do you know Robert James?"

If I used an even speed for every word in that sentence, it gives the impression that it is a throwaway question of no special importance. With the use of a dramatic pause utilized right after the name Salome and in front of the name of the man Jenny loved, it sets up Salome and the audience to know that the answer to this question was vital to the speaker.

"Salome, . . . do you know . . . Robert James?"(Please note that the three ellipses would fill the space of two to three seconds.)

At another point in the story, Salome brings a quilt to the Bender house. She has a note hidden in her apron pocket written by Bob James proposing marriage to Jenny. Unfortunately, Jenny's intimidating father answers the door.

"Good day, Salome. Some more of your mother's handiwork?"

"Yes, Mr. Bender. It's a quilt."

I felt sure that his penetrating eyes could see the note from Bob that lay hidden in my pocket.

"Take it on back to Jenny's room. She has the house money."

I walked quickly to get away from him, and then he stopped me.

(Dramatic pause of two to three seconds. Then he barks out her name.)"Salome."

(At this point, I drag out the dramatic pause to emphasize the fear that Salome is feeling. This enables the audience to paint a picture in their mind of Salome's face going suddenly pale as she cautiously turns around.)

White-faced, . . . I turned around slowly. . . . "Yes, . . . Mr. Bender?"

. . . "Tell your mother that she does excellent handiwork."

"Oh, thank you, Mr. Bender. She will be so pleased." I almost ran the rest of the way to Jenny's room.

If you try reading the above words with no dramatic pauses built in, the story will lack suspense and sound rather dull and ordinary.

A final place to use a dramatic pause is at the end of the story. To alert the audience that the story is over, you can say the last few words very slowly and resoundingly. For example, in Pleasant DeSpain's tale called "The Extraordinary Cat," you can end the story with the words, "For after all, . . . she . . . was a most . . . extraordinary (draw the word extraordinary out for a few seconds) . . . cat."

And that . . . is the end . . . of my article. LOL!

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