Speaking Clearly

Objectives
Student will be able to:
  • recognize the importance of speaking clearly.
  • identify the qualities of well-enunciated speech.
  • demonstrate an understanding of well-enunciated speech.

Introduction
There are many situations where you may need to speak to an audience. That audience may be just one person or it may be hundreds of people. No matter the size of your audience, it is always important that you speak clearly. Speaking clearly means that you enunciate, or clearly pronounce and speak each syllable and word you are saying. Clear speakers do not mumble or slur all of their sounds together. They also do not speak in a monotone voice, which means that they don't use a voice that is flat and has no emotion.
It is important to speak clearly because it allows your audience to hear and better understand what you are saying. You make a better impression when you speak clearly because you will seem confident and intelligent.
Here are some strategies to try to help you better enunciate as you speak:
  • Concentrate on clearly saying each sound in a word; do not skip sounds.
  • Use your whole mouth, including your teeth, tongue, and the roof of your mouth when you speak.
  • Practice speaking in front of a mirror; watch how your mouth moves and listen to yourself.
  • Use a video or audio recorder to tape yourself speaking. Listen to the recording later and evaluate things you need to work on.
  • Use tongue twisters, such as "she sells seashells by the seashore," to practice speaking clearly.
  • Use the pronunciation guides in dictionaries to help you figure out how to pronounce unfamiliar or tricky words. Some online dictionaries have audio pronunciation guides so you can actually listen to how the word is supposed to be pronounced.

There are some other things you should keep in mind to help you enunciate when speaking:

  • Concentrate on speaking slowly. Remember that your audience is hearing your ideas for the first time; they need time to process. If you feel like you are talking as slow as a snail crawls, you are probably speaking slowly enough.
  • Concentrate on speaking loudly. Some people in your audience may not be sitting very close to you. You need to speak loudly enough for everyone in the audience to hear you. You may feel like you are shouting, but to the people in the audience, you will sound just right.
  • Stand up straight with your shoulders back and your chin up. This will help you breathe normally so that you will sound clearer. It will also help you look more confident.

Examples
Practice clear speaking strategies as you read aloud the following tongue twister three times.
1.
Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.
Did Peter Piper pick a peck of pickled peppers?
If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,
Where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?
 


As you spoke, did you focus on clearly enunciating each sound? Did you slow down? Great! Most times, the things you say will not be as challenging as a tongue twister. But, tongue twisters are very good for practicing your clear speaking strategies.


2.
How does practicing with tongue twisters help you improve your clear speaking skills?
 

Did you notice that when you recite a tongue twister you are forced to slow down and think about each sound you are making? You may have noticed that you are even thinking about how your mouth moves as you speak. This is why tongue twisters are good practice for speaking clearly.

Try Together
First answer the following question and then practice clear speaking by reading some words and sentences.
1.
List at least three strategies you will try as you focus on speaking clearly.
 

Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include any three of the following:

  • I will concentrate on clearly saying each sound in each word.
  • I will try not to skip any sounds.
  • I will use my whole mouth when I speak.
  • I will speak slowly.
  • I will speak loudly.
  • I will stand up straight with my shoulders back and my chin up.
 

The following words and phrases are often mispronounced. The incorrect way is shown first, followed by the correct way. Say each word or phrase correctly three times.
2.
I dunno.     I don't know.
Student should clearly pronounce the phrase correctly three times.
 

3.
probly     probably
Student should clearly pronounce the word correctly three times.
 

4.
hafta     have to
Student should clearly pronounce the phrase correctly three times.
 

5.
woulda     would have
Student should clearly pronounce the phrase correctly three times.
 

Practice clear speaking strategies as you read aloud the following tongue twisters three times each.
6.
Around the rugged rocks the ragged rascals ran.
Student should clearly enunciate each sound and word in the tongue twister three times.
 

7.
We surely shall see the sun shine soon.
 

Student should clearly enunciate each sound and word in the tongue twister three times.
 

8.
A friend has asked you to help them prepare for a speech. What are three pieces of advice you would give your friend?
 

Student responses may vary. Acceptable answers include any three of the following and others:

  • Speak loudly.
  • Speak slowly.
  • Make sure you pronounce each sound in each word.
  • Think about using your whole mouth.
  • Stand up straight.
  • Practice in front of a mirror or with a video or audio recorder.
  • Use a pronunciation guide to check the pronunciation of any words you are not sure about.
 

Please evaluate the student's answers:

Excellent

Good

Okay