Suggestion 154. Vary the pitch or inflection of your voice

IF YOU WANT TO:

• Vary the speed and tone of your voice

• Have a more interesting style of presentation

• Overcome a tendency to speak in a monotone

Learning to vary the pitch or inflections of your voice.

If students complain that you lecture in a monotone, you may want to try one of the following: taking speech lessons, joining an organization like Toastmasters, taking acting lessons, joining (or organizing) a poetry or drama reading group, or simply practicing reading aloud to yourself or members of your family. Each of these methods has been used effectively by one or more Berkeley faculty.

One faculty member combined speech lessons with Bible readings at his church with good effect. Another took an acting class on campus during the summer, and not only improved his vocal delivery in the classroom but had a good time as well.

Several faculty members recommended joining a poetry-reading group. "Reading poetry aloud can be particularly helpful because poetry requires greater vocal inflection for its meaning to become clear," one said. Reading plays aloud with friends or family can also be an enjoyable means of practicing vocal variety.

Limitations on Use of Suggestion

  Discipline:  None
Course Level:  None
 Course Size:  None
        Mode:  None

Copyright 1983 by the Regents of the University of California

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