This document provides tips for maintaining a natural and comfortable pace when public speaking. It recommends aiming for a rate of speech that is neither too fast nor too slow, as this helps ensure clarity. Various factors can influence speech rate, such as birth/culture, stress, fatigue, and complexity of content. Generally, a slower pace is better than a faster one. The document suggests having partners time each other reading to determine their words per minute and identify ways to optimize their individual speech rates.

1. PACE/RATE
PUBLIC SPEAKING

2. TO REVIEW…

3. Speak naturally.
 Aim for a comfortable rate of speech.
 Not too fast.
 Not too slow.

4. Rate is influenced by…
 Birth/culture/history
 Nervousness/stress increases rate.
 Write “SLOW DOWN” in your notes.
 Mental fatigue slows us down.
 We also tend to make more mistakes when tired.
 Complexity of words/content.
 Larger words, tougher concepts cause us to slow
up.
 Pauses
 Your own, in the audience, in the speaking
environment.

5. Fast or slow?
 Generally, slow is better than fast.
 Again, it’s most important to be comfortable
and CLEAR.
 Aim for clarity.
 Work within your vocabulary.

6. Let’s determine your pace…
 Partner up. At least one of you needs to have
a timer.
 Decide who will read first.
 While the speaker reads, the partner should
time them.
 Determine your rate of speech by solving for x
in this equation:
 265/Your time (in seconds) = x/60
 X = words per minute
 Switch.

7. Works Cited
 Dlugan, Andrew. "Speech Pauses: 12 Techniques to
Speak Volumes with Your Silence." Six Minutes RSS.
Six Minutes, 5 Nov. 2012. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.
<http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/pause-speech/>.
 Dlugan, Andrew. "Toastmasters Speech 6: Vocal
Variety." Six Minutes RSS. Six Minutes, 27 Aug. 2013.
Web. 18 Feb. 2015.
<http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/toastmasters-speech-6-
vocal-variety/>.
 Dlugan, Andrew. "What Is the Average Speaking
Rate?" Six Minutes RSS. Six Minutes, 12 Nov. 2012.
Web. 18 Feb. 2015.
<http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/speaking-rate/>.