An Underused Performance Technique That Most Professional Speakers Miss - *Levels*

There is a something called, "rule of thirds" used in most design. Whether it is photography, interior design, a piece of artwork, etc., things simply look better to the human eye with odd number and varying "levels". There are different types of "levels" that go beyond just visual.

I've yet to hear one speaker talk about how they thought through "levels" in their speech to add interest. In this article I'll address a few types of "levels" that can help add engagement, entertainment or intrigue to your speech.

Vocal Levels

Vocal levels are one most speakers DO think about in regards to variation of their vocal tone. No-one wants to listen to someone monotone for an ENTIRE hour. Vocal inflection is often thought about in regard to the voice going up and down.

However, there are levels in regards to how loud or soft your voice is which is a great way to keep attention. Ever been in front of a room where no-one is paying attention so you try and out voice them decibel wise? Doesn't work that well. Standing on stage in silence captures their attention and brings intrigue much better than out yelling your audience. If I can't get a room's attention in the beginning, I simply stand and wait in silence until they notice.

There are also levels in the pacing of your speech pattern. As I told my verbose daughter who loved to share her opinions bluntly - "t's not what you say. It's how you say it."

I can say, "I love you" while rolling my eyes and it means one thing. I can scream out over the audience to a character I'm talking to and wave while yelling, "I love you". I can get really quiet and pause then say, "I love you". I can pose, "I love you" as a question with inflection going up at the end of the phrase that makes it sound like a question.

These are the same three words with some VERY different meanings that help share a tone, feeling or story simply by the vocal levels and variations that are used.

Some quick examples are:

-How fast or long you speak with your sentences or certain words.

-Saying specific words, such as "soft" softly, adds interest.

-Pauses. I am a HUGE believer in the power of a pause.

-Picking up the pace in certain parts of a story, or slowing waaaay down for an important foundational phrase followed by silence.

Visual Levels

Where you stand on the stage makes a difference. Close up to the front of the stage while speaking to the crowd is an emotional level that is more intense. Casually walking from one side of the stage to the other insights an entirely different emotion. Turning your back is not a "no no". I do it all the time on specific bits or parts of story to add visual levels.

The other levels that are almost never used by professional speakers in height levels. Jumping on a chair or end table, sitting on the ground, sitting with your feet off the stage, are all visual levels, that help evoke emotion, increase engagement, and help tell a story or make a point.

Yes- I have been known to lay down on the stage and I always wear heels and a dress. The crowd loves it because they don't expect it.

Emotional Levels

Emotional levels, especially in a story, are vital. In a story the character you're telling the story about has to have some type of growth. In the story of "The Joker" his growth is turning good to bad. In the story of "Moana" her growth is from young and inexperienced, to confident and free. Change happens.

Telling a story with zero vocal inflection, no change of pacing, no visual changes, makes it harder for the audience to see, hear or emotionally experience the growth in the character. Timing (using levels) is vital to a good story.

Levels of Learning

If you are vomiting heavy learning with a bunch of technical things the entire time- you've lost your audience. Your audiences' brains need a break. There is levels of when to share what where. (How's that for a sentence!) Giving them "brain breaks" by where you choose to share a story, a bit of humor, audience engagement, helps keep their brains from overload and keeps them tuned into you.

These are a few examples of ways in which you can improve your speaking by paying attention to whether or not you are using levels in your voice, pace, learning style, visually, and emotionally.

If you'd like more speaking tips I have a blog here: https://www.boringtosoaringspeeches.com/blog

Don't be boring! Kindly, Stacy P.