The document discusses the importance of using pauses during presentations to enhance audience engagement and retention of information. It outlines ten specific types of pauses, such as punchline pauses and dramatic pauses, to enhance the delivery of key messages and maintain audience interest. The overall aim is to improve the effectiveness of communication and connection with listeners.

1. T O E N G A G E Y O U R A U D I E N C E
T Y P E S O F P A U S E
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T h e v i t a l
i n f o r m a t i o n
P a u s e
Use a pause to give your
listeners a moment for the
vital information you just
delivered to sink in.
Using pauses during your presentation can help your audience retain
your message and form stronger connections with you as a speaker.
Here are the top 10 ways to use pauses in your talk.
P u n c h l i n e
P a u s e
N e w V i s u a l
P a u s e
Pause when switching to a
new slide or visual. Your
audience will be focusing on
this either way, give them a
moment before you
continue talking.
5
E m p h a s i s
P a u s e
Draw attention to a
keyword or phrase by
pausing immediately
before and immediately
after the word (or phrase).
S e n t e n c e
P a u s e
Stop connecting sentences
with “and” indefinitely. At
the end of a sentence, give
a pause before moving on
to the next.
Get more speaking opportunities.
6
D r a m a t i c
P a u s e
Build a bit of
anticipation. Dramatic
pauses are used
whenever you want to
generate some revved
up suspense.
“ I ’ m i n
T h o u g h t ”
P a u s e
Use to show the
audience that the next
part was something
you put a lot of thought
into. A revelation.
Pause immediately before
and after your punch line to
create heightened
anticipation and let them
release their laughter.
R h e t o r i c a l
Q u e s t i o n
P a u s e
7 8
P a r a g r a p h
P a u s e
9
C o m m a
P a u s e
Let the audience
answer the question in
their minds by pausing
for a moment after
asking the question.
Use longer pauses in
your speech whenever
you are transitioning
from one major idea
or point to the next.
Breaking
your talk into
a series of
short clauses,
and breathe.
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