1. D*R*A*M*A

2. MODULATION  Modulation is when you control or adjust something, like when you lower your voice to a loud whisper in order to make what you're saying more dramatic and mysterious.  Highlight the parts of your dialogue where you are going to change your voice for dramatic effect.

3. PACE  Pace refers to how quickly or slowly you say a line.  This helps to create additional layers of meaning and enjoyment in your delivery.  Highlight the parts of your dialogue where you are going to speed up or slow down your delivery for dramatic effect.

4. PAUSE  This refers to where you take a slight break when you are speaking. At this point you usually inhale.  Pausing gives the audience time to take in the meaning of your words and thus helps to create greater understanding.  Punctuation Pause: this happens when there is punctuation in your text (comma / full stop).  Meaning Pause: Intuitive pause that the performer adds to help create greater meaning.  Highlight the parts of your dialogue where you are going to pause for dramatic effect.

5. PROJECTION  Voice projection is the strength of speaking whereby the voice is used loudly and clearly.  It is a technique employed to command respect and attention (e.g. a teacher or actor in a theatre).  Controlling your breath is essential for proper voice projection. Whereas in normal talking one may use air from the top of the lungs, a properly projected voice uses air properly flowing from the expansion of the diaphragm.  Practice speaking from your diaphragm.

6. PITCH  Pitch refers to how high or low you speak.  Highlight the parts of your dialogue where you are going to higher or lower your pitch for dramatic effect.

7. STRESS  The words you choose to stress will be emphasised.  The meaning of a sentence can be changed by emphasising different words.  Highlight the parts of your dialogue where you are going to give added emphasis for dramatic effect.

8. TONE  Tone refers to the emotional quality, mood or atmosphere that you create through your voice.  Highlight the parts of your dialogue where you are going to use your voice to create an emotion for dramatic effect.

9. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISATION  This refers to the way in which a character moves.  Work out which actions you are going to use in your dialogue for dramatic effect.