When it comes to Public Speaking, it is natural to focus more on what we say and how we say it. But it’s not just about the words coming out of your mouth; it’s also about the pauses you take.
But why are pauses so powerful in public speaking? Those brief moments of silence can add much-needed power and impact to your presentation, speech, or message.
In addition to that, pauses give the audience the time to absorb the message, eliminate any filler words and make you sound more confident and impactful.
Whether you are a pro or just getting started, it is time to learn how to leverage the power of the pause.
Pausing is not as easy as it may sound. You must master silence at the right time and place. You must commit to yourself that you will take the pause.
A well-chosen pause will help maintain the conversation’s flow and structure. It will even help you take control of any situation faster, keeping your conversations meaningful and fruitful.
Why Pauses Work?
A study has revealed that an average person thinks four times faster than one speaks, and when trying to communicate these thoughts, people tend to speak faster or use filler words, making sentences longer and bigger.
This can often create confusion and cause your audience to lose track of what you are trying to communicate or even misunderstand the message you are trying to convey.
How do pauses help you?
It will give your audience ample time to understand and absorb the meaning and depth of your message. It will even help you understand the audience’s reactions and how they are perceiving it.
The pause should align with your thoughts, so pausing and taking a breath while public speaking is not only healthy and necessary but can also manage and eliminate the fear of public speaking.
Types of pauses and how to use them effectively:
If you have ever watched a great speaker, you know how powerful a pause is. It is that moment of silence that hangs in the air, making the audience lean in and focus on every word being spoken.
Let’s first discuss the different kinds of pauses and how we can use them effectively in our presentation, speech, or message:
– The Reflective Pause
This pause is meant to give the audience time to process the information and absorb the message. It is generally used after a shocking fact or a deep insight.
Here’s an example:
“Did you know that 75% of people fear public speaking more than death?” [ pause for the audience to let that sink in]. Wait at least 2-3 seconds before continuing.
– Breath Pause
This is an important pause that everyone should master. It can be used effectively to control pacing and avoid sounding rushed.
Here’s an example:
“Public speaking is a skill..[pause].. that anyone can master.” Here, the pause does not need to be longer than 2 seconds, but many speakers forget to breathe while speaking and end up rushing. Take a breath and maintain a steady pace.
– The Conversational Pause
This pause is also very crucial as it makes your speeches feel more natural and engaging. It is generally used while storytelling or interacting with the audience.
Here’s an example:
“Imagine this..[pause].. You walk on stage, and everyone is watching you…” This will not only help the audience feel more involved in your speech but also make them feel more emotionally connected.
Mastering the power of pauses and leveraging this power can definitely elevate your public speaking from good to great. When used correctly and strategically, it can make your speech more engaging, persuasive, and memorable.
