Chapter 112 Vocal points in a speech

Let us now discuss some of the principles of natural speech, in order to grasp them more clearly and vividly.Originally, I didn't intend to do this, because it would give some people the illusion: "Ha, see, I will succeed if I just force myself to do this." You must not have such thoughts, otherwise, it will only appear Dull and dull. You may have used these principles in everyday conversation without realizing it, just as you digested your food last night.And this unconsciousness is the only correct way for you to use these principles.With speaking, we can only reach this state through constant practice.

In conversation, we tend to emphasize one syllable of a word while the others fly by, like a paid car speeding past a crowd of hooligans.The situation is much the same when we emphasize a sentence, we always emphasize one or two key words in the sentence. It's not that I'm describing the situation too grotesquely, it should be pointed out that this kind of situation happens all the time, maybe, just yesterday, it was done thousands of times by others, and, no doubt, tomorrow You will keep doing it. Let's look at an example: Please read the following, the large characters should be re-read, and the others should be read weakly.What will be the effect?

This reading method is not unique, and different readers may have different reading methods.There are no hard and fast rules here, everything depends on the situation. Please read the following excerpt again, to mobilize your true feelings, and at the same time, to understand its central idea.Then, you think about whether you have strengthened key words and weakened other parts. In conversation, your tone of voice will now rise, now fall, and now return to normal, and this change, like the surface of the sea, never stops.Why is this so?No one knows, and no one cares.But this transformation is considered pleasant, and in this transformation, everything seems so natural.Are we consciously learning this ability?Of course not: as children we acquire this faculty of the unsearchable and the unknowable.However, when we are in front of our audience, all that is gone, our tone becomes monotonous and dull, like the alkaline desert of Nevada.

When you find yourself speaking in a monotonous tone--the tone is usually high-pitched--you might as well pause for a moment and meditate: I'm like a wooden man now, I should be more natural, I'm talking to people. Will this mental activity help you?There may be some, and the pauses themselves are helpful.In any case, you will find your own relief in practice. You can emphasize a phrase or word by suddenly raising or lowering your voice.Dr. Pax Cadman, a well-known Christian pastor in Brooklyn, did this frequently, as did Mr. Oliver Lawz, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Roosevelt, and nearly every famous speaker .

In the following quotation, please read the italicized words in a lower tone. What effect will it have? When children are speaking, or when we are talking in daily life, the speed of everyone's speech is constantly changing.It's pleasing and perfectly natural, and at the same time, it's done unconsciously.In fact, changing the rate of speech is one of the best ways to accentuate our meaning. Walder Stevens tells us in his book "Lincoln Through the Eyes of a Reporter," published by the Missouri Historical Research Society, that changing the pace of speech was one of Lincoln's favorite ways of expressing himself, writing :

For non-key words, Lincoln will pass them by; but when it comes to key words, he will speak slowly and intonation-Lincoln always spends five or six non-important words on one or two important words. This method will inevitably attract the attention of the audience, and, as it is exemplified: in my speeches, I often quote the following passage from Cardinal Gibbons-I try to emphasize the central meaning of his belief; Slowing things down in italicized parts of it, bringing them to the fore, like I've been deeply moved - and it is.Read this passage aloud, experimenting with varying speeds and noticing the effects.

On the eve of his death, Cardinal Gibbons said: "In my eighty-six years of career, I have witnessed many successful people, and among the factors that make them successful, the most important is Faith, and without it, no one can succeed." You can try the following example again: Please read "30 million yuan" in a fast and indifferent tone. How does it sound?It's like a small amount of money; now, at a different speed, read "30,000 yuan" very slowly, and at the same time, be emotional, as if you are very surprised by such a large amount of money, and the result is how?Obviously, the two readings make "30,000 yuan" sound more than "30 million yuan", doesn't it?

Lincoln often made pauses during his speeches.Whenever he made an important point and wanted to impress his audience, he would lean forward, look them in the eye, and say nothing.This sudden silence will attract everyone like a sudden burst of sound, and everyone will hold their breath and listen carefully to what is going to be said next. For example, when his famous debate with Douglas was drawing to a close, and all signs were against him, he looked depressed, and his customary melancholy wrote on his face at times and gave his speech a A kind of tragic power.In a concluding remark, Lincoln suddenly stopped and stood there silently, looking around, looking at the faces that were half indifferent and half kind, and those deep-set, tired eyes seemed to be filled with tears. ; his hands spread out, as if tired of this helpless war.Slowly, in a peculiarly monotonous voice: "My friends, it does not matter whether Douglas or I are elected to the Senate of the United States of America; Personal interest, and never personal political wealth." Here Lincoln paused again, while the audience listened intently to every word.Then Lincoln went on: "The life of this plan will live on, even if Douglas and I lie quietly in our graves one day."

"These simple words, combined with the manner of expression, deeply touched the soul of the listener." A Lincoln biographer commented.After the phrase to be emphasized, Lincoln will also make a pause. In this way, the expressive power of the meaning of the sentence can be enhanced. In speeches, whether before or after important points, Mr. Oliver Lawz will often make some pauses, even three or four times in a sentence, but he does so in a natural and unconscious way. behavior in the state.It's hard to notice this if you're not analyzing his method of speaking deliberately.

Kipling said: "By using the pause, you can achieve the purpose of speaking." When we can apply this method to the speech at the right time, we have obtained the most precious weapon of the speech.It is indeed a powerful tool of speech, and no one should take it lightly, although this point is often overlooked by beginners of speech. Below are excerpts from Foreman's speech, where I have paused where the meaning of the sentence stands out.Of course, this does not mean that there is only one method of stopping, or that this method of stopping is the best.In fact, there is no strict rule on where to make a pause, it depends on the need to express thoughts or feelings.Maybe, you stopped here today, but tomorrow, you will stop in another place.

You read this excerpt aloud without pausing, and then read it with pausing as I have marked it.See what a pause can do. Selling merchandise is a war, and (pause to let the idea of ​​war sink in) is a war in which only the fighters will win. (Pauses to let the center sink in) We may not like this situation, but there is nothing we can do about it. (Pause) So, when you join the ranks of the sales industry, you must be full of confidence and courage. (Pause) If you can't do that, (Pause, create suspense) Well, when hit, you're going to fail and get nothing. (Pause) A man who has hit three home runs is not intimidated by a baseball pitcher, (Pause) Remember that. (Pause.) And the baseball player will be successful, (Pause, create suspense: What will the speaker say about this great baseball player?) As long as he has a strong belief in his heart. Please read the following quotes emotionally again, noting where you have paused. After taking the advice I offer in this chapter, some speakers may still suffer from failure.In speech, he may indeed behave as in conversation, but he may frequently make melodious sounds, make grammatical mistakes, display awkward manners, and do other unpleasant things .A man's speech and manner in his daily natural intercourse need much improvement.After you have perfected it, you can use it in your speech.