Get their attention
When you go on stage you must command the audience’s attention.
Probably you have seen it happening many times. A speaker who embodies authority pauses at the podium or the front of the room before beginning. At that moment, the audience attends. Chatting ends, minds become focused, and everyone’s gaze goes where it should: to the leader in the room.
That’s the power of silence. People who were talking to each other stopped, because the speaker required their attention. So, without saying one word, he did get their attention.
Pauses have many advantages
Well-timed silence or pauses add impact to your words and are a powerful speaking technique. A pause can be used to:
- Emphasize your main points. A moment of silence before a statement tells
listeners that you are about to say something important. A brief pause after
You make a statement that tells listeners that what you just said is important. - Breathe. Appropriate pauses are your opportunity to inhale.
- Punctuate. Pauses often serve as punctuation, telling listeners that you have
ended a sentence or thought. - Show confidence. Use silence to control the pace of your presentation. Audiences easily spot a nervous speaker. Anxious speakers often proceed at a nonstop pace without pausing. Great speakers control the timing of their speech. So pausing adequately will allow your audience to perceive you as confident and in control.
The sound of silence
Moreover, the sound of silence plays a key role in facilitating the audience’s learning. If you’re explaining a complicated situation or critical information, a moment of silence allows your audience to process and absorb your message. Using silence as a strategic pause creates a smooth transition from one point to another.
Keep in mind
Using pauses and silence effectively is a powerful way to raise the interest and impact of your presentations. When it comes to giving a speech, silence is golden.
