Alan Alda says, “The space between the lines makes a great performance.”
Yes, you guessed it. That means you must never underestimate the power of the pause. This is true in acting, speaking, and music.
My brother Robert Fripp, the legendary guitarist and one of Rolling Stone magazine’s “100 Greatest Guitarists,” explains, “The music is between the notes, not in the notes.”
Your words do not convey your message by themselves; it is also with your pauses.
Remember, a pause isn’t a moment of nothing. It is a tool used strategically to help you build an intellectual and emotional connection with your audience. When you pause, you give your audience time to process your words. A pause allows your listeners to stay engaged and enables them to follow what comes next. If you tend to speak rapidly, allowing adequate time for pauses is even more important. Pauses also give you time to breathe, smile, and think.
Pauses are the punctuation marks of your speech. They give structure and meaning to our words.
If your talk is scripted, look where you have a comma, a period, a new paragraph, and an ellipsis (…)
When you deliver your message, the pauses are of different lengths.
To continue with what I call this ‘verbal punctuation.’ An exclamation point and an underlined word will be emphasized or ‘punched.’
Practical Reasons to Pause:
- Build Anticipation
Imagine you’re sharing a pivotal moment in a story. As you approach the climax, pause. Let the silence build anticipation. Your audience will be on the edge of their seats, eager to hear what happens next.
- Emphasize a Point
When you deliver a key message or a crucial point, pause immediately. This gives your audience time to absorb and reflect on your words, reinforcing their importance.
- Allow for Laughter
If you’ve delivered a humorous line, pause to let the laughter happen. This acknowledges the reaction and creates a moment of shared enjoyment between you and your audience.
- Manage Transitions
Use a pause when moving from one topic to another. This signals your audience that a shift is happening and helps them follow your train of thought more easily.
- Create Emotional Impact
When discussing a sensitive or emotional topic, a pause allows the weight of your words to sink in. It provides space for your audience to feel the emotions you’re conveying.
Practice the Power of the Pause
Incorporate pauses into your practice sessions. Record yourself, listen for natural breaks, and refine your delivery. When used effectively, pauses can transform a good presentation into a great one.
Explore Fripp Virtual Training for more techniques on powerful and persuasive presentations. Transform your presentations and connect deeply with your audience.
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