How to Enhance a Specific Tone and Purpose

In previous lessons, we've told you how to bring clarity and force to your oral presentations. We also told you how to use literary devices and arguments to communicate your message effectively.

Now we'd like to talk about tone. The tone of your speech is very important. The dictionary defines tone as "the manner of expression in speech or writing." In other words, tone is the overall attitude and feeling.

While tone can come from the way you deliver a speech, it is mainly a function of how the speech was written.

Should your tone be serious or humorous? Should it be matter-of-fact or emotional? Should it be reflective or rambunctious?

It all depends on what your speech is for; what its purpose is.