Accent

The prominence of a syllable in terms of loudness, pitch, and/or length.

Articulation

The act of producing clear, precise and distinct speech.

Body Language

Body stance, gestures and facial expressions.

Dialect

A variety of language, cant or jargon that is set apart from other varieties of the same language by grammar, vocabulary or patterns of speech sounds.

Diction

The accent, inflection, intonation and sound quality of a speaker’s voice. Also known as enunciation.

Elocution

The formal study and practice of oral delivery, especially as it relates to the performance of voice and gestures.

Extemporaneous Delivery

Learning your speech well enough so that you can deliver it from a key word outline.

Impromptu Speeches

A speech delivered without previous preparation.

Inflections

Variations, turns and slides in pitch to achieve meaning.

Manuscript Delivery

Reading the text of a speech word for word.

Memorized Delivery

Learning a speech by heart and then delivering it without notes.

Performance

The execution of a speech in front of an audience.

Pitch

Pronunciation

Saying words correctly, with the accurate articulation, stress and intonation, according to conventional or cultural standards.

Regionalism

A speech form, expression or custom that is characteristic to a particular geographic area.

Tempo

The rate, pace, or rhythm of speech.

Timbre

The characteristic quality of the sound of one’s voice.

Tone

The particular sound quality (e.g. nasal or breathy) or emotional expression of the voice.

Verbatim

To say with exactly the same words.

Vocalized Pauses

Verbal fillers in speech such as “um,” “uh,” “like,” “and,” or “you know.”