Page 34 - June 2019

FIELD NOTES

Speak Like You Write!

Kwesi Millington, ALB, ACG

Have you ever heard a great speaker? Have you Think of the COMMAS
ever sat through a monotonous school lecture? Many speakers talk as if they are delivering
What was the difference? Chances are there a run-on sentence. They speak too quickly,
are two main areas that separate the speaker and the listener can’t keep up with all of the

from the lecturer: ideas that are being delivered. Just as a comma
1. The Content provides a pause in your sentence, remember to
2. The Delivery PAUSE in your speaking. Often if you think of
I don’t remember much of what I heard taught your thoughts as sentences, your pause should

in school, but I DO remember the teachers that I naturally fall where your comma would if you
perceived as passionate. The teachers that spoke were writing the sentence.
with verbal expression, highs and lows, and with Remember: The pause prepares your people
accentuation, are the ones I still can hear in my for your important points.

head today.
How about you? Do you remember the Think of the PERIODS
content that you heard throughout your life, or Sometimes a thought requires a definitive
do you remember more the personalities and end. Sometimes you need a longer pause. At the

delivery of that content? Chances are the latter main points in your speech, where you really
is what stuck with you. want to let the emotion of the moment sink in,
People don’t remember WHAT you say, as pause for 5 seconds. Count to 7 as a guide. Why
much as HOW you say it, and how they FEEL 7? Because I guarantee you will fast count in your

when you say it. head, so 7 seconds will likely be 3-4! But take the
So how should you speak? Think of how you time to add a “pregnant pause” or two to your
write! speech. The effect is worth it.

34 ONE COMMUNITY