Have you ever seen one of those punctuation memes? You know: the ones that illustrate how a simple change in comma or other mark placement can change the meaning of a sentence? Like this one:
Other examples include:
- “Eats shoots, and leaves.” vs. “Eats, shoots, and leaves.”
- “What is this thing called, love? vs. “What is this thing called love?”
Punctuation is used as a visual cue for readers so that they know where to pause and where to place emphasis in a sentence. However, punctuation can also be important for speakers.
Punctuation When Writing Your Speech
Punctuation translates into the spoken word as pauses and inflections. These are particularly important things to plan and use strategically when giving your presentation.
There is a reason the phrase “pause for effect” exists.
The length and placing of your pauses give your words emphasis and power when used correctly … and distracts and drains from them when used ineffectively.
You can use punctuation as a shorthand cue on your notes when you need to use them.
- Use an ellipses (…) to note where longer pauses go.
- Use double exclamations (!!) you to raise your voice or pound the lectern.
- Use quotes (“) to remind you to change the quality of your voice to indicate someone else’s voice.
Even if you aren’t reading notes, thinking during the writing process about punctuation and how you can use it to strategically get your message across can have great advantages for you.
While Speaking Your Presentation
The pause – a moment of silence – is the verbal equivalent of punctuation. It can short, like a comma. Or it can long, like an ellipsis. Those moments of silence, long and short, that you sprinkle throughout your speech are important not only for conveying your message but for allowing your audience the time they need to comprehend your message.
In some ways, you might use punctuation more heavily for the spoken word than you would for the written word. This is because written words allow a reader to go back if they don’t understand something. But spoken words are ephemeral … they are released into the air and then they are gone (unless recorded, but that is another post). So, make each word one count. Punctuation can help.
This post was updated on January 10, 2021.