How to Achieve Clarity in Your Speech  By Anne-Marie RONSEN   Speech is the faculty to utter sounds or words. It is the power of expressing thoughts in words. It is the power to speak. Good speech is speaking clearly, unhurriedly, and distinctly. It is your quickest and most efficient means to get your ideas over to the prospect. By taking a little patience and care, you can do this more effectively. It is the little things in speech that count, and these are the things you want to correct.   Stand before the mirror and see whether you open your mouth widely enough when you speak. By observing your- self talking aloud, you will learn not to slur over your words and not to drawl them. Drawling can be corrected by enunci- ating each syllable in each word. All words are made up of syllables and big words are only a combination of syllables, or of little words. Take the word inexhaustible, for example. Take it apart in this fashion: in-ex-haust-i-ble. Take it easily and slowly, and the word will pronounce itself. Each word will do the same. Make it easy for the prospect to understand what you are talking about. Express your ideas clearly and you turn them into a sale. Clarity of speech is very important. Cultivate the habit of perfecting it. It will pay you also to cultivate the habit of not hurrying in your speech. You have plenty of time. It is most essential to clear, distinct diction to speak unhurriedly. Speak dis- tinctly and deliberately. Know the lines of your speech thor- oughly and speak them in a relaxed mood and you will discover that what you say is more persuasive, more effec- tive, and more convincing. When you speak calmly and dis- tinctly, it is not necessary to repeat, and this saves the prospect's time and possibly your embarrassment. It will pay you also to train yourself to speak in a conversa- tional tone. Breathe regularly and observe proper pause at intervals. Don't try to carry on a complete conversation in one breath. Manner is your mode of procedure; your way of doing things. It is that intangible quality of personality that makes you interesting to other people. It is the way you conduct your relationship with others. It is an inward feeling of being happy. You know what pleases you when someone talks to   you. It is those little things: courtesy, appreciation, kindness, and thoughtfulness. It is those little things that please the prospect and put him in a receptive mood to listen to what you have to say. It is these little things that make a whale of a difference—and help you to make more sales. Another great asset to enrich and purify your manner of speech is to learn to smile while you talk. Your speech, in- terspersed with real smiles, tells the prospect a lot. It tells him that you like him, that you want to please him, that you want to co-operate, and that you are willing to serve and do your best at all times. He can feel your smile; it encourages him to believe in you. The smile in your voice unlocks the door and lets you in. It creates friendships and opens wide the door of the prospect. He will respond to a friendly smile, so practice it in your speech. Try also to be natural in your manner of speech. The prospect is human and likes to be treated accordingly. There- fore, relax, feel kindly toward the prospect, and be yourself, and in all probability you will leave his office with a sale. In order for the prospect to understand you, it is necessary to speak plainly. The prospect judges you by what you say, and if you can do this well, it will influence him to have con- fidence in you. Train yourself to speak with care and dignity. The prospect only understands what you tell him, so try to do it clearly. Pronounce each word carefully and distinctly. Speech, voice, and manner are all fundamental parts of your expression. Your use of them reflects your ability as a sales- man. The development of these three attributes gives you power and a pleasing personality. Speech is produced by the voice. You can improve your voice by deep breathing. This regulates and controls the pitch, tone, and inflection of the voice. Therefore, take a few deep breaths before entering the office of the prospect, and now and again during the day. Train yourself to read a few pages aloud each day. Take the dictionary and pick out a few words. Pronounce the words aloud, trying to enunciate each syllable clearly and distinctly. Do this exercise several times each week. It only takes a few minutes, and you will show marked improve- ment. To improve the sound, volume, and resonance of the voice, say the multiplication table aloud. It only takes about four minutes. Do this several times each week. All words are formed from letters. Practice aloud the al- phabet, giving each letter the full use of the lungs and dia- phragm. Note the different formations of the mouth as you say each letter aloud. Do this several times each week. Remember that your speech, your voice, and your manner are you. They are the vital qualities of your personality. -************************************************************** Anne-Marie Ronsen is the author of many wealth and self development books for women.  Download FREE e-books and software from http://www.e-bestsellers.com , http://www.PLRbestsellers.com  or http://www.UniversalPublishingltd.com  … You will learn about the best tips and recommendations  to improve your health, weight and wealth.  You'll also discover how you can get a top position that will mean loads of traffic, recognition and sales for you and your business.