Voice projection for good presentations

Use this presentation skills training resource to illustrate the importance of voice projection, articulation and tonality when making a presentation, and to provide opportunities for participants to gain a practical understanding of the impact these factors have on the success of a presentation.
Even the most experienced presenters, after having spent hours pouring over the preparation of what they consider to be their 'perfect' presentation, are often disappointed at the response from their audience. The words looked wonderful on paper but, delivered without proper intonation and articulation, and combined with a mumbled, lacklustre delivery, their power to ignite their audience's imagination or interest is completely lost. When it comes to voice projection, participants have probably been speaking for years and, presumably, been heard, so they may wonder why it is more than just volume that is important. However, presentations are not like ordinary face-to-face conversations and require a different set of skills. This training activity focuses on the difference that a little attention paid to how presenters say their words will make on their delivery style, and pay dividends with and for their audience.

The training activity opens with a brief introduction that states what the participants should achieve by then end of the session. They begin their study of voice projection by identifying why presenters may fail to deliver a good presentation effectively. Then they practise 'filling the space' between themselves as presenters and their audience. Following this, the participants look at articulation and expression. You start by showing how putting a smile on their face will make a huge difference to their performance. They then do some vocal exercises to raise their awareness of their voices. To finish this section, they write and deliver a passage using onomatopoeic words. This is recorded on audio tape. Tonality and pitch form the last part of the training activity. In a series of exercises, the participants practise varying the volume and tone of their voice. Their final exercise is a short presentation incorporating all they have learned about their voice. You close the training activity with a brief review and summary of all the participants have learned about their voice and voice projection.


Who is it for: This training resource is intended for use by trainers as the first of two activities examining the voice, providing a full explanation and exploration of the voice projection needed to add colour and depth to any presentation.

• Themes:
• Feedback ,
• Leadership ,
• Managing yourself ,
• One-to-one coaching ,
• Presentation skills ,

Resource Type: Activity

Min Group Size: 2

Max Group Size: 6

Typical Duration: 03:15:00

No of Pages: 31




Additional resources: Audio recording & playback equipment, Audio tapes (1 per participant), Audio tapes with pre-recorded passage, Small hand mirrors (1 per participant).


Purpose: This training resource is intended for use by trainers for feedback, leadership, managing yourself, and presentation skills programmes. It can also be adapted for one-to-one coaching. This training activity works well with 'Breathe!' and 'Voiceworks', to form a longer programme.