Modulation

COMMUNICATION SKILLS UNIT 2

“Modulation”

REPEAT THESE EXPRESSIONS…

“I don’t believe it”

“It wasn’t me!!”

“I’m so sorry!!”

“Stop or I’ll shoot!!”

“Congratulations!!”

When we think of these expressions we

naturally assume they will be accompanied

with a specific tone in the voice…..

A tone that indicates:

Sorrow! Excitement! Joy! Anxiety! Surprise!etc

This form of speech is summed up in one

word:

MODULATION!!!

Lets take a look at an example….

OMG HOW BORING!!!

This is where once again we must

remember our voice is an INSTRUMENT!!

We must adjust the volume… The pitch…

The pace…

The results?

Vis Lets take a look at a

good example!!

Take note of words and

expressions where the

speaker changed his

pitch… Pace… and

added more power to

his voice!!!

What are your thoughts on his use of

modulation….?

HOW TO MODULATE….

• Ask yourself: What is my goal?

Is it to motivate?

Greater volume or a warm tone

Is it to inform?

A steady and clear pace is

necessary

Used skillfully, a lower tone

followed by an louder tone

can be effective and create

anticipation.

Allowing your material to dictate the speed and tone can be very forceful!

To highlight main

point: Slower more

precise pace, lower tone!

Excitement: Speak

more rapidly and with higher tone

Allow the emotion

we want to convey

and the material we

are using to steer

our use of

modulation!

Check this out….

24

STEPS TO SUCCESS….

STEP 1 ADJUST VOLUME

STEP 2CHANGE PACE

STEP 3VARY PITCH

Lets Practice….

If you’re a fast speaker (over 150 words per minute), take a

full two seconds to say each of the following words:

droopy roar lovely glimmer rustle lonely crash

grumble snowflake

sluggish stroll fluffy gloomy luscious merry passion

hush happy

sputter murmur stretch moan lover delicious grisly

rumble

If you’re a slow speaker (less than 120 words per minute),

say each of the following words rapidly:

flick glib tip snap clip nit flip chip

pip blip fib flit dip glint bit snit click

Write a one-page composition describing your daily activity.

Then read it aloud. If you are a slow speaker, read it as

rapidly as you can. If you are a fast speaker, lengthen the

time you spend saying each word.

Presentation Time….