The Benefit Of Chunking And Pausing During A Presentation
Most of us concentrate in ensuring a smooth flow for our presentation; however in the process, we get washed away in the tide. And we do not realize that there was never a pause in our speech, to let others catch up with our pace. It’s time you realized the benefits of chunking and pausing during a presentation, so that your audience is not left behind midway.
Before we dig into the advantages, let us find out the difference between these two requirements:
Pausing
A comma or period in a sentence signifies breathing space; a theory we have learnt since childhood. At the same time understanding the need to break off, when a phrase or sentence is stretching too long is your call as the speaker. However, the challenge lies in deciding the right time to take a pause.
Chunking
Unlike pausing, chunking is about dividing the flow of information in your presentation. When to slow down; quicken the communication; or raise the pitch of voice, without disturbing the understandability of the audience in the process, is a difficult job. You require practice to acquire this skill.
Benefits of Pausing and Chunking during a Presentation
- Allows Listeners To Catch Up With You
If it is going to be a long presentation, then it is quite apparent that not everyone will be able to stay in the rhythm all the time. Proper chunking of information and pausing at places helps them in getting back into the flow.
- Buys The Presenter Thinking Time
A question from the audience; or an error during the presentation slows you down; hence a pause helps in making a comeback. You get some time to plan out on how to rectify the error or answer the question along with required relaxation.
- Eases The Beginning Of A New Topic
Jumping from one topic to another without a pause might not suit the acumen of your listeners. Chunking will help them understand that a new topic is about to begin. Moreover, it is considered an effective audience-engaging technique too.
So, the next time you are giving a presentation try out these ideas. Many people practice it by marking it in their speech, however in case of PowerPoint Presentations there is not much scope of carrying a paper in your hand. Hence, the most appropriate way is to practice aloud, so that you can mark and rectify your mistakes.