PRDV008: Preparing and Delivering Presentations

Rate is the speed of speaking in words per minute from slow to fast, with normal rate averaging about 125 words per minute.

Learning Objectives

Use variance in the rate at which you speak to convey different emotions or emphasize important parts of your message

Key Takeaways

Key Points

• You can vary the rate depending of the emotions you are feeling or the type of message you are communicating. If you are experiencing joy, you will speak at a fast rate compared to a speaker who is expressing surprise who will speak at a much faster rate.
• When speaking you want to speak at a varied rate so that you can emphasize important parts of your message.
• Do you speak fast because you are in a hurry to finish or are nervous? Caution, slow down!

Key Terms

• paralanguage: The non-verbal elements of speech used to modify meaning and convey emotion, such as pitch, volume, and intonation.
• rate: speed of speaking, measured in words per minute

Rate is Speed of Speaking Measured in Words Per Minute

Rate is how fast or slow a person speaks. Rate is part of the paralanguage of speech along with loudness and pitch. It is not language but it accompanies all of your spoken use of language and can convey attitude and emotion. You can vary the rate depending on the emotions you are feeling or the type of message you are communicating. For example, if you are experiencing joy, you will speak at a fast rate compared to a speaker who is expressing surprise who will speak at a much faster rate. Normally, you speak about 125 words per minute. But you may speak much slower at about 100 wpm if you are giving a slide presentation.

You will find that the rate of speaking in audiobooks is about 150-160 words per minute whereas auctioneers can speak at about 250 wpm. According to the Guinness World Record, the current fastest speaker is Steve Woodmore, who was clocked at a rate of 637 wpm. Caution--slow down a minute to consider what you might do with your speech rate to be more effective.

Warning Sign: Just like a traffic sign warns about certain upcoming speed limits, a speaker needs to monitor their rate during a speech.

Tips for Speakers

• When speaking you want to speak at a varied rate so that you can emphasize important parts of your message.
• You also want to change the rate for the mood or emotion of the message and the occasion. If you want to show excitement at a pep rally you will naturally speak at a faster rate than if you were speaking at a funeral where you would speak slower because you are sad or contemplative.
• You might also speak slower if you are making choices and thinking carefully about what you are saying; a slower pace may conveys your thoughtfulness to the audience.
• Use a recorder to record your speech so you can clock your actual speaking rate.

Finally, ask yourself if you are speaking too fast because you are nervous!