hold the room.

Glossary

Uptalk

Ending a statement with a rising tone, as if it were a question. It can make you sound unsure.

From the lesson

Land the sentence

Then there is the end of the sentence. Statements should land: pitch down on the last word. Uptalk (ending a statement like a question) can sound unsure, and in one hiring study, vocal fry (the creaky, low-energy drop-off) made speakers sound less competent. Breath fixes most of it: speak on the out-breath from the belly, not the throat.

Day 5 · The Voice People Lean Into: How to sound more confident when you speak: pace, pauses, and landing sentences

Cheat sheet · Drop the pitch at the end

If you hear uptalk, repeat the sentence to yourself with a drop.

Day 9 · Vocal Control Under Load: How to keep your voice steady under pressure: the physiological sigh

Where it comes up

Related terms

  • PaceHow fast you speak, in words per minute. Around 140 to 160 is easy to follow; slow down for the key points.
  • Physiological sighTwo breaths in through the nose (one big, one short top-up), then one long, slow breath out through the mouth. It can help you settle.
  • Two sighsTwo physiological sighs: a big breath in through the nose, a short top-up sniff, then a long, slow breath out through the mouth. Do it twice. It can help you settle.
  • Lip trillBlow air through loosely closed lips so they flutter, like a motorboat, while you hum. It warms up your breath and voice together.
  • Box breathingBreathe in for four counts, hold for four, out for four, hold for four. Easy to do silently in a meeting.

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