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Roleplaying Tips Weekly E-Zine Issue #9
Top 7 Tips For Developing The Voice That Wins By Dr. June Johnson
Contents:
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A Brief Word From Johnn
It is with great pleasure that I publish this week's article
by Dr. June Johnson about using the power of your voice--the
great Game Master's second most powerful tool. In many sci-
fi shows, as well as several business marketing courses,
they say that perception *is* reality. And your players'
perception of your NPCs, setting and events are definitely
formed from not only what you say, but *how* you say it.
These are important skills for creating exciting game
sessions!
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Top 7 Tips For Developing The Voice That Wins By Dr. June Johnson
The voice is your most powerful means of communication. How
you hear yourself is not necessarily how others hear you.
Successful professionals have voices that command attention
and move people to action. The following tips will help you
to develop the voice of authority.
- Breathe from the diaphragm -- the foundation of effective
speech. It is the power behind the voice that gives it depth
and authority and increases your ability to project. It also
helps control nerves and keeps the voice from rising in
pitch when under stress.
- Articulate your consonants. A recent Gallup Poll listed
mumbling as the most annoying habit of speech. Consonants
are what make speech intelligible, the "bread and butter" of
speech. If people have to work to understand what you're
saying, they'll stop listening.
- Use inflection. The voice has a natural range of 5-8 tones
that give the voice vitality and add color and interest to
what you're saying. Bob Dole was a boring speaker because
his speech lacked inflection.
- Pronounce all syllables. You will sound more professional
when you do. Dan Quayle frequently referred to George Bush
as "Present" Bush! Missing syllables make for sloppy, lazy
speech. Avoid pronunciations such as "innernet," "comtuble,"
"inneresing," "gummint," "reglar," "secetary," etc.
- Keep the vocal energy flowing. Energy is the key word to
speaking effectively. Fading away or dropping ends of
sentences will leave the listener in the dark. If the point
is important enough to be made, it's important enough to be
heard.
- Tape yourself. Learn to know your voice. Once you've
identified the habits you want to eliminate you'll be on the
road to developing habits that will make you an effective
speaker. As with anything else, it is possible to improve
how you speak.
- Talk to or with people, not at them. No one likes to be
assaulted by a voice that's loud or abrasive. The pleasant,
well-modulated voice will accomplish far more than the voice
that overwhelms.
Dr. June Johnson, President of VOICEPOWER, is a speech and
communication coach. Through her workshops, seminars,
keynotes and private instruction, she provides the skills
and techniques for speaking more effectively and giving more
successful presentations. Her numerous articles have
appeared in national publications and she has authored a
book, "You Look Great, But How Do You Sound?" and set of
training tapes, "Find the Power in Your Voice." For
information contact Dr. Johnson at 800-988-0644;
e-mail: voicepwr1@aol.com or visit her web site at
http://www.wisonline.com/voicepower
Try taping yourself at your next session and use the
checklist above to measure how you did. Questions and
feedback about effective speaking are welcome:
feedback@roleplayingtips.com
Have more fun at every game!
Johnn Four
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