1. Mary Fellows, Upper Hudson Library System
Public Speaking
GET BETTER AT IT
Mary Fellows, Upper Hudson Library System
Session

2. Introductions and warm-up

4. Voice modulation and vocal variety

5. Mind, body, and voice are partners

6. Voices can be unconsciously revealing

7. Voices can be unconsciously revealing

8. Other unconscious speech habits
It’s like, you know, totally rad, man!

9. In a normal conversation
Tone sounds:
Angry
Condescending
Lecture-y
Burdened
Feeling might be:
Fear or powerlessness
Inferiority
Incompetent
Unnoticed or unvalued

10. What we want our voices to be:
Pleasant
Natural
Dynamic
Expressive
Easily heard

11. How our voice is created
Power source
Vibrator
Resonator

12. The power source: lungs and diaphragm

13. The vibrator: larynx

14. The resonator: mouth, throat, nose sinuses

16. Primary cause of negative voice quality

18. Evaluating your voice
Volume
Pitch
Tempo
Articulation

19. Volume
Operative word

20. Word that is punched or lifted. Often the verb.
Volume
Operative word
Word that is punched or lifted. Often the verb.

21. Word that is punched or lifted. Often the verb.
Volume
Operative word
Word that is punched or lifted. Often the verb.
Crescendo

22. Volume Operative word Word that is punched or lifted. Often the verb.
Crescendo
Start at one level of volume and build it.

23. Volume Operative word Word that is punched or lifted. Often the verb.
Crescendo
Start at one level of volume and build it.
Decrescendo

24. Volume Operative word Word that is punched or lifted. Often the verb.
Crescendo
Start at one level of volume and build it.
Decrescendo
Start at a higher level of volume and gradually decrease it.

25. Volume Operative word Word that is punched or lifted. Often the verb.
Crescendo
Start at one level of volume and build it.
Decrescendo
Start at a higher level of volume and gradually decrease it.
Projecting

26. Pitch

27. How high or how low we place our voice
Pitch
How high or how low we place our voice

28. How high or how low we place our voice
Pitch
How high or how low we place our voice
Signifies feeling

29. Pitch How high or how low we place our voice Signifies feeling
When we feel empathic, our pitch goes up

30. Pitch How high or how low we place our voice Signifies feeling
When we feel empathic, our pitch goes up
In moments of certainty or power,
our pitch goes down

31. Pitch How high or how low we place our voice Signifies feeling
When we feel empathic, our pitch goes up
In moments of certainty or power,
our pitch goes down
Be aware of how pitch relates to gender

32. Tempo

33. Speed can be fast, but it should be varied
Tempo
Speed can be fast, but it should be varied

34. Tempo Speed can be fast, but it should be varied
Change in speed signals what’s important

35. Tempo Speed can be fast, but it should be varied
Change in speed signals what’s important
Variable speed keeps it interesting for audience

36. Tempo Speed can be fast, but it should be varied
Change in speed signals what’s important
Variable speed keeps it interesting for audience
The pause: way of bringing focus, creates anticipation

37. Tempo Speed can be fast, but it should be varied
Change in speed signals what’s important
Variable speed keeps it interesting for audience
The pause: way of bringing focus, creates anticipation
Pause is a deliberate build. Creates relief, time for audience to absorb, musicality in voice.

38. “Communication often happens in the silence.”
Tempo
“Communication often happens in the silence.”

39. Tempo

40. Tempo
Staccato

41. Use staccato for key points
Tempo
Staccato
Use staccato for key points

42. Use staccato for key points
Tempo
Staccato
Use staccato for key points
Legato

43. Use staccato for key points
Tempo
Staccato
Use staccato for key points
Legato
Use most of the time

44. How to learn these skills

45. How to learn these skills
Listen to audiobooks and trail the narrator’s voice.

46. How to learn these skills
Listen to audiobooks and trail the narrator’s voice.
Read children’s books, focusing on one vocal element at a time.

47. How to learn these skills
Listen to audiobooks and trail the narrator’s voice.
Read children’s books, focusing on one vocal element at a time.
Read love poetry to your sweetie (who may be your cat/dog!)

48. Articulation

49. Articulation
Enunciation

50. Fullness and clarity of speech sounds
Articulation
Enunciation
Fullness and clarity of speech sounds

51. Fullness and clarity of speech sounds
Articulation
Enunciation
Fullness and clarity of speech sounds
Pronunciation

52. Articulation Enunciation Fullness and clarity of speech sounds
Pronunciation
Correct sounds in the sequence of a word

53. Skill development Prepare for class session #4:
Pick an audience, situation, and topic realistic for your work situation.
Create a 3:00–5:00 minute speech.