IT’S NOT WHAT YOU SAY, BUT HOW YOU SAY IT Nonverbal (verbal) Delivery

Paralanguage – HOW we say words 1. Voice Qualities: pitch, rate, volume, articulation  Pitch: Can’t always control this, but you can try to use variety  Rate: SLOW is better! Make sure you breathe  Volume: A bit louder is a bit better – make sure you can be heard throughout the room – project your voice  Articulation: Clarity – enunciate your words, use words that you know how to say, don’t slur words together

Paralanguage cont. 2. Vocalization  A. Characterizers: Laughing, crying, yawning  B. Qualifiers: intensity (tone), emphasis – try not to sound monotone or flat  C. Segregates or Verbal Fillers: um, like, uh, you know – keep these at a minimum  D. Pauses: It’s ok to pause – gather thoughts or dramatic effect Most importantly: USE VOCAL VARIETY

Verbal Language Verbal language are the words we choose to use  Words are symbols  Review Connotative and Denotative definitions Denotative: Dictionary Connotative: our emotional or personal response to a word 1. Technical language: relates to a particular subject and is marked by specialization (jargon)  Ex. Cars, sports, technology, video games  How do you feel when someone you talk to uses a mass of technical terms you don’t understand?

Verbal Language Cont. 2. Regional Language: speech particular to a geographical area  Ex. Soda v. Pop, the “boot” of a car (trunk), etc. 3. Slang: informal, nonstandard vocabulary, language unique to a particular group  Ex. “treated,” what else?  How do you feel when adults or parents try to use slang words?

Tips to Remember Don’t try to use big words if you don’t know what they mean Don’t use “jargon” and speak over your audience’s heads – be simple, be clear, and explain Don’t try to use slang to “fit in” with your audience Don’t use words that offend Don’t ever make fun of an audience member or the audience as a whole