Using+Your+Voice+&amp;+Body


 * Pitch:** The highness of lowness of the speaker's voice that can affect the meaning of words.


 * Inflections:** Changes in the pitch or tone of a speaker's voice that help to identify mood.


 * Monotone:** Speech without inflections; very dull.


 * Rate:** The speed at which a person speeks. Fast rate indicates happiness, fear, anger, and surprise while slow rate indicates sadness and disgust.


 * Pause:** A momentary silence during a speech. Pauses feel very long to the speaker even when they only last a second or two. They are essential to good speechmaking.


 * Vocalized Pause:** A poorly performed pause in which the speaker fills the silence with words wuch as "uh," "er," and "um."

//Note: A sense of conviction and a desire to communicate are very important.//
 * Vocal Variety:** Changes in the speaker's rate, pitch, and volume that are the difference between a monotonous speaker and a good one.

//Note: Don't worry about hand gestures; they will come naturally as you gain confidence and practice. Also, don't lean on the podium and take your time. Confidence is key.//
 * Kinesics:** The study of body motions as a systematic mode of communication.


 * Eye Contact:** A necessary aspect of speechmaking in which the speaker looks directly at members of the audience to convey confidence, sincerity, and conviction in his or her words. Eye contact should be made before and after the speech as well as during it.