"The right word may be effective," Mark Twain once said, "but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause." Bold words for a writer—but Twain was dead-on.
In public speaking—or just about any verbal communication, really—timing is crucial. A pause can be much more than just a chance to catch your breath. Deployed the right way, it adds drama, weight, and clarity to your message. But if it's done wrong, your presentation may sound plodding or confused. Here are three ways to master the art of the pause in order to add impact.
Image: Photo: Flickr user ebrkut
