Pause to Clarify and Create Interest

 No matter how excited you are about your subject don't go on and on in a stream of consciousness type of presentation.


It's easy to be guilty of this when you  are anxious to pass on some exciting or important news to others, but much of what you say is often misunderstood and soon forgotten. If there are only a few close friends in your audience they can easily slow you down and get you to repeat or rephrase things they didn't understand,  but this type of interaction can be difficult with a formal presentation to a large audience


  So,  remember to slow down and use proper pausing  when you want to clarify meaning, to change thought,  to emphasize an important point, or to give time for your audience to think or respond to your question.


To Clarify Meaning
Use and follow punctuation  when you are writing and delivering your presentation. Commas and semi colons dividing clauses and phrases, for instance, create blocks of ideas that are easy to understanding and remember.


To Change Thought or Direction


A pause when you are ending your discussion of one point and are about to move on to the next point will give your audience the change to reflect on what you have just said and prepare to follow you as you develop your new idea or argument.


To Emphasize  or Create Anticipation


Pausing can also be used effectively in at least three other ways:  directly before dramatic or important  statements to pique your audience's interest in what you are going to say next;  after such statements to give your audience time to reflect on what you have just said; or after questions to give your audience a chance to respond orally or mentally if it is just a response if you have asked a rhetorical question.


Of course, you would also want to pause if there was some disturbance in the auditorium you can not overcome by increasing  your volume, but these are the main uses of pausing  when making a presentation.  Practice them them until you have mastered these techniques.  A recorder can be an invaluable tool when you are doing this.