Presentation Skills: Mastering Your Natural Voice

Learning Objectives & Warm-up

Learning Objectives

Understand Vocal Anatomy

Identify key components affecting voice production

Master Projection Techniques

Learn mask projection and diaphragmatic breathing

Optimize Natural Pitch

Develop your authentic vocal presence

Warm-up Discussion

The Human Voice

Understanding your vocal instrument

Question 1: What vocal feature do you wish to improve most?

Question 2: How do you currently prepare your voice for important speaking?

Question 3: Who has a voice you admire and why?

Respiratory System

Diaphragm and lungs provide the power source for your voice. Proper breathing is the foundation of strong vocal projection.

Vocal Cords

Thin muscles that vibrate to create sound. Thickness and size determine your natural vocal range and depth.

Resonators

Chest, throat, and head cavities that amplify and shape your voice quality and projection.

Articulators

Tongue, lips, teeth, and jaw that shape sounds into clear, understandable speech.

Video Content & Key Takeaways

Key Techniques

Vocal depth determined by cord size/thickness (00:38)

Project from mask area (nose/lips) (02:00)

Diaphragmatic breathing for power (03:10)

Find natural pitch with "mhm" exercise (02:40)

Technique Notes

Voice quality can't fundamentally change (00:50)
Good voice = warm, resonant, flexible (01:30)
Chest breathing strains voice (03:20)
Famous speakers with unique voices (04:30)
Own your natural voice (05:00)

Diaphragmatic Breathing Technique

Place one hand on chest, one on belly

Breathe in slowly - only belly hand should move

Exhale slowly through pursed lips

Practice 5-10 minutes daily

Find Your Natural Pitch

Say "mhm" as if agreeing with someone. This is your optimal speaking pitch.

Practice: Start your sentences from this natural "mhm" pitch.

Essential Vocabulary

Voice

/vɔɪs/

The sound you make when you speak or sing

Her voice is clear and strong

Pitch

/pɪtʃ/

How high or low a sound is

His pitch gets higher when he is excited

Resonance

/ˈrez.ən.əns/

The quality of being deep, full, and reverberating

Good speakers develop rich vocal resonance

Projection

/prəˈdʒek.ʃən/

The ability to make your voice carry and be heard clearly

Actors must master voice projection for the stage

Diaphragm

/ˈdaɪ.ə.fræm/

The muscle that controls breathing and supports voice

Breathe from your diaphragm for better vocal power

Articulation

/ɑːˌtɪk.jəˈleɪ.ʃən/

Clear pronunciation of words and sounds

Practice articulation exercises to speak more clearly

Inflection

/ɪnˈflek.ʃən/

Changes in pitch or tone that convey meaning

Use vocal inflection to keep your audience engaged

Modulation

/ˌmɒd.jəˈleɪ.ʃən/

Variation in tone, pitch, or volume of voice

Voice modulation prevents monotone delivery

Cadence

/ˈkeɪ.dəns/

The rhythm and flow of speech

A natural cadence makes speech more pleasant to listen to

Grammar & Key Phrases

Vocal Technique Instructions

Breathing Instructions

"[Action verb] + from/with + [body part] + to/for + [purpose]"

Use these patterns to give clear instructions for vocal techniques and breathing exercises.

Breathe from your diaphragm

Breathe from your diaphragm to support your voice properly

Project from your mask

Project from your mask area for better vocal clarity

Speak with resonance

Speak with resonance to create a fuller, richer sound

Focus on articulation

Focus on articulation to ensure clear communication

Vary your inflection

Vary your inflection to maintain audience interest

Control your pace

Control your pace to emphasize important points

Voice Quality Descriptions

Describing Vocal Qualities

"Your voice sounds/feels + [adjective] + when you + [technique]"

Use these patterns to provide feedback on vocal quality and technique effectiveness.

Your voice sounds stronger when you use diaphragmatic breathing

Your voice sounds much stronger when you use proper diaphragmatic breathing

The tone becomes warmer with mask projection

The tone becomes much warmer when you project from your mask

You sound more confident at your natural pitch

You sound much more confident when speaking at your natural pitch

Your message becomes clearer with proper articulation

Your message becomes much clearer with proper articulation

The delivery feels more engaging with vocal variety

The delivery feels more engaging when you use vocal variety

Your presence improves with good posture

Your vocal presence improves significantly with good posture

Speaking Practice

Practice Activities

Natural Pitch Discovery

Your Challenge

Find and practice speaking from your natural optimal pitch using the "mhm" technique. Record yourself speaking at different pitch levels and identify your most comfortable, resonant tone.

Practice steps:

1. Say "mhm" naturally (as if agreeing)

2. Notice the pitch level

3. Start your sentences from this pitch

4. Practice with: "Today I want to share..." at your natural pitch

Discover and practice your optimal speaking pitch

Diaphragmatic Breathing Integration

Your Challenge

Practice integrating diaphragmatic breathing with speech. Focus on breath support for longer phrases and maintaining vocal power throughout your delivery.

Practice sequence:

1. Practice diaphragmatic breathing (hand on belly)

2. Sustain "Ahhhh" for 10 seconds

3. Read a paragraph with breath support

4. Focus on maintaining power to the end of sentences

Master breath support for powerful vocal delivery

Knowledge Check

Test Your Understanding

What is the most effective way to start a presentation?

Introducing yourself and your credentials

Asking a relevant question

Sharing a shocking factoid

Telling a compelling personal story

What makes a factoid effective for opening a presentation?

It's a well-known statistic

It's surprising and challenges assumptions

It's from a recent news article

It's personally meaningful to you

What is the purpose of a "hook" in a presentation?

To capture audience attention and interest

To summarize the main points

To introduce the speaker

To thank the audience

Which of these is NOT a recommended way to start a presentation?

Sharing a surprising statistic

Telling a personal story

Asking a thought-provoking question

Apologizing for being nervous

What should you do after delivering your hook?

Start your main content immediately

Briefly explain how it connects to your topic

Wait for audience questions

Move to your conclusion