Manipulating Meaning through Speech

Words have meaning and when spoken the meaning of words can change.
Public speakers, actors and individuals speaking socially all manipulate the
sound of their voice in order to communicate feelings, attitudes and ideas.
The way something is spoken will impact how it is received by the listener.

Consider how clarity, emphasis, fluency, pace, pitch, projection, and tone
of speech impacts people listening. The following activity explores ‘ways of
speaking’. Through completing this task you will learn about the speech
techniques and choices available to you. These can become a part of your
persuasion toolkit.

Ways of Speaking Bingo

View the ‘To Be or Not to Be’ sketch act from Shakespeare Live. These
actors intentionally use their voice in different ways. These different
choices create different meanings. Identify how each person used their
voice and why, placing their name in the appropriate box below.

Paapa Essiedu, Tim Minchin, Benedict Cumberbatch, Harriet Walter, David Tennant, Rory Kinnear, Ian McKellen, Judi Dench, King Chales

SLOW PACE FINAL WORD EMPHASIS

Invites thoughtfulness Invites wondering

PLAYFUL TONE PITCH DROP

Creates humour Creates certainty

SHARP ARTICULATION LOUD EXCLAMATION

Suggests Hopelessness Exaggerates

SOFT FLOWING SPEECH ELONGATED VOWELS

Creates a calm confidence Creates focus and pause

STRONG VOICE AND CONSONANT ARTICULATION

Emphasises the significance of the second point