No, I don’t believe stops and pauses are necessary while public speaking however, if you want to become an effective public speaker and improve your messages there is value in adding pauses.
I’ve seen many speakers that are fast talkers and their presentation is like a road race, they are fighting to get it over as fast as they can. I usually find myself saying “breathe, breathe.”
I believe there is value in adding a pause at certain points in your presentation to allow your audience to consider the point you made before you move on to your next thought.
It has been suggested you pause every 5 or 6 words to allow your audience to think about what you’re saying before you move on to your next thought. This may be appropriate in a presentation where the details are crucial and you need to give your audience time to process each point before introducing a new one. I think this would create a boring presentation and I would probably walk out on it.
Your presentation needs to have a balance of pace: example, parts of your presentation should be rapid to share something exciting, it should be slowed down at times where your content is somber. It should have variations in volume and pitch as well.
I recall a presentation I delivered at a Toastmasters meeting. It was a serious topic I was speaking about and at a certain point I had forgotten my next line. I paused for a few seconds to think of the line. My speech evaluator advised me my pause was perfectly placed and was the best part of my presentation. From then on, I tried to incorporate dramatic pauses in strategic places within my presentations.
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For further discussion on public speaking, speech development, communication skills and Toastmasters, visit the Live For Excellence Book Store for the following publications:
Blow Your Own Horn!: Personal Branding for Business Professionals
Power Networking For Shy People: How to Network Like a Pro
The Power of Persuasion: Mastering the Art of Influence
The Power of Promotion: Online Marketing For Toastmasters Club Growth
The Savvy Emcee: How to be a Dynamic Master of Ceremonies
Working With Words: Adding Life to Your Oral Presentations
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Rae A. Stonehouse is an author, speaker, and self-publishing consultant dedicated to helping others embrace constant improvement and overcome challenges. With over 40 years of experience as a Registered Nurse in psychiatry and mental health, Rae brings a wealth of knowledge and passion for self-development to his writing and presentations.
As a 25+ year member of Toastmasters International, Rae has systematically built his communication abilities and self-confidence to share his insights as an author and speaker. His self-help books and personal development presentations aim to have conversational one-on-one connections with readers and audiences.
Rae is known for his wry sense of humor and sage advice delivered in a relatable coaching style. After four decades as a nurse, Rae has rewired rather than retired, actively writing and pursuing public speaking. He strives to share lessons learned to help others achieve personal and professional growth.
To learn more about Rae and his approach to constant improvement, visit his website at Live For Excellence Productions or to learn more about his publications visit Live For Excellence Store
