Verbal communication encompasses the spoken word. Every day you will talk to a variety of different people both formally and informally.
But...
“spoken communication involves much more than exchanging words: it is about taking time to set the context for open and honest communication; to listen; to connect emotionally; to nurture relationships…” (Ledema et al., 2019)
Verbal communication conveys meaning, feelings, opinions, ideas and arguments. We all speak naturally and in our own unique way but there are many different techniques that can be used to enhance your verbal communication skills.
You can consider:
Content
What you are talking about. Is it necessary, important and/or meaningful.
Tone
Consider the tone of your voice to maintain engagement and to avoid conflict.
Emphasis
You can signpost the importance of certain points through the use of emphasis. For example:
Pitch
You can seek attention through raising and lowering your voice. In a formal situation, such as presentation, raising your voice is not the only way to gain people’s attention. Using a calm and reassuring pitch can engage an audience much more effectively.
The way you communicate will change throughout the day, depending on the audience. This may include:
Have a think about the different ways in which you communicate and which of the techniques you could work on to improve your communication.