How to Create Imagery in Your Speaking Performance

A mechanical unnatural rhythm and a monotone delivery will not capture your audience's interest, or imagination. 

Variety of expression determines how well your listeners will see and feel the images you choose to present to your listeners. As a speech coach and drama director working with actors, speakers, and trainers, I know how difficult it is to let your fear of expressing yourself emotionally can be. Yet, If you're ready to have your listeners' hearts and minds emotionally drawn to your speech, then consider embracing these crucial elements:

1. Begin with preparing and expanding your vocal muscles and range.

This includes vocal warmups in pitch levels and tone. With a few repeated exercises you will be amazed at the array of flexibility you will gain in your vocal range. For example, try counting aloud from one to ten giving each word a new pitch up, like asking a question; or a downward inflection of sounding quiet, or with a lower pitch level.

For more practice change the numbers to a single word and say each time with a different emphasis, or elongate the vowel sound, or alternate the pace.

Vary your pitch with a single phrase, say, "What are you doing now?" spoken with different emotions: surprise, fear, polite interest, disappointment, pity, sarcastic, and more.

2. Rehearse with oral speaking of poetry and literature.

 Set your mind to zone into what you believe is the best interpretation of the poet's or writer's thoughts. Pick what you think is the core meaning behind the words that you wish to convey to the listener. Then read with varied pitch levels to suit this message. Work through it one section at a time before putting it all together as one oral reading. Determine emphasis on key words and a variation of your tempo or pace.

Practise with poets or literature that resonates with you and offers visual and real-life images through their words. Here are a few to use as practice pieces in oral speaking:

• Robert Frost: The Pasture
• Heather Cunningham: Trees
• Any Children's Story
• Your Favourite Author

3. Capture the emotional moment to reveal the picture and the listener's reaction. 

There are moments when we all read books or watch movies and we begin to cry, laugh, sitting on the edge of our seats in anticipation, and feel so connected to the story, image, and that vulnerable moment within each of us.

Analyze your audience to bring the right story, example, quotation, or message to suit this group. It's your speaking with thought, emphasis, pause, inflection, and pace, that gives variety of expression through your voice. This avoids any mechanically boring reading of the words; instead it highlights your unique quality of reflecting that imagery to your listeners.

Continue to bring out the best of you, with the best of your voice!