Page 22 - IMPACT BOOKLET

CHANGE THE MEANING

Exercise 1

Depending on how you vary the vocal elements, you can give your words any of
several meanings.

Try this. Read the sentences aloud, putting the stress on the underlined word. See how
where you place the stress changes the meaning

"I didn't tell her you were stupid." (Somebody else told her.)
"I didn't tell her you were stupid." (I emphatically did not.)
"I didn't tell her you were stupid." (I implied it.)
"I didn't tell her you were stupid." (I told someone else.)
"I didn't tell her you were stupid." (I told her someone else was stupid.)
"I didn't tell her you were stupid." (I told her you're still stupid.)
"I didn't tell her you were stupid." (I told her something else about you.)

Identical words. Different meanings. That's the power of voice.

Exercise 2

Now vary your vocal elements using this phrase to change the meaning when talking to
a co-worker

“Will you give me that report?”

Say it to communicate:

▪ “Look, you slacker, I needed this last week,”

▪ “If you don’t mind, sir, I beg your indulgence to share your report with me,”

▪ “Don’t waste my time telling me your problems—just give me the report.”

The same words would cause people to imagine that person jumping up to get you the
report or silently agreeing to letting you wait for that report until hell freezes over. Your
tone communicates the emotion and thus the scene of your story.

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