| I find it humorous to listen to radio talk shows or | | | | is going to jump in and interrupt you. |
| TV sports interviews with athletes after the | | | | 3. Use pauses for effect. You are the speaker |
| game. I shouldn't say humorous; it is really sad the | | | | and your audience is listening intently. Many people |
| way the English language is being butchered by | | | | are uncomfortable with silence. A well-placed |
| those who call it their native tongue! | | | | second of silence will actually cause the audience |
| "Uh-um, you know, it's like, I mean, he took the | | | | to look up to see what is happening on stage! You |
| ball and you know, like then he uh-um threw it | | | | may regain a "snoozer" who was distracted. Music |
| and yeah, man, ah, um and so." | | | | has rests, which create silence. The rests in music |
| Was that a sentence? Did the player actually say | | | | is as important and effective as the notes. Silence |
| something intelligible? | | | | is a valuable tool when giving a speech. |
| Filler words, redundancy and run-on sentences | | | | 4. Practice good speech habits. There are 3 P's |
| hinder the impact of our speaking. When we | | | | necessary for making a good speech: practice, |
| stand behind the lectern, we have the attention | | | | practice, practice. Every time you answer the |
| of our audience. People want to hear what we | | | | phone, speak to a friend, or utter a prayer, you |
| have to say, and they deserve to hear something | | | | have the privilege of being heard, and you have |
| worthwhile. | | | | the opportunity to improve your skills and practice |
| Here are a few tips for better speaking: | | | | speaking well. Practice does not make perfect; it |
| 1. Avoid run-on sentences. Do not connect your | | | | makes experience and experience gives us |
| sentences with "and" or "so" or "but". Instead | | | | confidence. |
| choose your words carefully and use shorter | | | | Make your point by using as few words as |
| sentences. | | | | possible. Do away with unnecessary filler words. |
| 2. Avoid filler words - Instead of inserting words | | | | Use silence to punctuate your speaking and you |
| that do not help convey your message, simply | | | | will notice a tremendous improvement not only in |
| pause for a moment, take a breath and collect | | | | the way you speak, but in the way people listen. |
| your thoughts. You still have the floor and no one | | | | So speak well and don't "filler" up! |