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At Toastmasters, we count “ers, ahs and ums” to make speakers aware of how many times they use these annoying filler words. The interesting thing is, there is a something else you can do that not only fills the space, but enhances your speech immeasurably—pause. Instead of using “um”, just pause.
There are many ways a simple pause adds to your speech. Let me count the ways:
- The starting pause. Once you’ve been introduced and you’re on stage, pause, smile and look at your audience. You immediately connect with them. Often, if anyone is talking they’ll stop talking nine times out of ten, because you’ve paused. Pausing is also is a sign of confidence, so go for it!
- When telling a joke, pause before the punch line to let the audience catch up and wait in anticipation, and then pause after the joke to give them time to laugh.
- To move from one paragraph to the next, a simple pause lets your audience know that you are going to move to your next point.
- When you make a powerful statement. Make the statement and then pause. Make it a longer than your usual pause. A few weekends ago, I assisted in emceeing the West Kelowna Ambassadors speech contest. These fourteen and fifteen year olds gave some very powerful speeches. One in particular gave a speech about foster homes and why people should consider taking in foster children. She told the story of a fourteen year old who was pregnant going to live in a foster home. When she had the baby, there were complications and the baby wasn’t expected to live, or would have some severe problems if it did. The baby made it. Later in the speech, this beautiful, intelligent fourteen year old concluded her speech by expressing what it meant to be a loved foster child, “I know”, she said, “I was that baby”. Then she paused. You could hear the gasps in the crowd. I had a hard time speaking after that one!
- If you ask the audience a question, even a rhetorical one, pause to let them think how they would answer, and then give your response. This builds suspension, they’re wondering if they got it right.
- Last, but not least, when you’ve lost your place, pause, take a drink of water, regroup and carry on. No one would ever guess you had that small moment of panic.
Patricia Fripp (www.fripp.com) explains the value of a pause when she said “Pauses allow your audience members to mentally interact with your words. A skilled speaker will often engage their audience more with their pauses than with their speaking.”
Work on including pauses and excluding filler words. Your audience will love you for it.
Mary Anthes is a business owner, speaker and a Distinguished Toastmaster. She can be reached at nmanthes@shaw.ca
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