Recently I have inherited a worn, well-used notebook from my late grandmother. Reading through these notes has felt like rediscovering a part of my grandmother’s voice and my own. Like a conversation across generations and I can still hear her voice all these years later as I read the notebook.

My grandmother was an elocution teacher and she understood that the art of speaking blends clarity, confidence and grace. Her pages and lessons remind me that carefully spoken words still have the power to move hearts and minds.

Her notes are more than remnants of her learning and own discovery in the art of elocution. They are timeless lessons for anyone seeking to speak well. Of course modern practices may have overtaken some of the notes, but the core still remains the same.

Why Elocution Still Matters

Today where communication is often reduced to quick texts, brief social media posts and video calls about another meeting agenda, the power of spoken words can be easily overlooked. The ability to speak with clarity and confidence is just as important today as when my grandmother penned the paged.

Effective speech can:

• Transform a presentation into a memorable story that resonates with listeners.
• Build trust and rapport during interviews and negotiations.
• Elevate everyday conversations into meaningful and impactful exchanges.

My grandmother deeply understood this and that speaking well is not about sounding grand or overly formal, it is about being understood.

Wisdom from the Notebook

Drawing from her teachings I have rephrased and reflected on a few key insights

• Respect Every Syllable: Do not rush your words. Allow each word to breathe and carry its full meaning.
• The Power of Pause: Silence is not empty; it serves to emphasise what comes next.
• Projection with Purpose: Speak so that even the farthest listener can hear you, without resorting to shouting. The focus is on intention and clarity, not just volume.
• Clarity Over Complexity: Simple, well-enunciated words often leave the most lasting impression.
• Emphasis for Impact: Highlight important words or phrases to draw your listener’s attention. Emphasis can transform a mundane statement into something memorable and powerful.
• Articulation and Precision: Pronounce each sound clearly, shaping your words so that they are easily understood. Good articulation ensures your message is not lost or misinterpreted.
• Inflection for Expression: Vary the pitch and tone of your voice to convey meaning, emotion and interest. Thoughtful inflection keeps your audience engaged and brings your words to life.

An Excerpt from the Notebook

Emphasis is the promonence given to the most important word or words in a sentence. The function of emphasis is to make the exact meaning clear.

The ways of giving emphosis:

By stress of extra force on the word e.g you must do that.

By pause. pause can be made before or after the word or phrase to be emphasised or both before and after. e.g. Morning will find me / gone. And what is mre you’ll be a man / my son.

By a change of pace. This refers to phrases.

By inflection. Often rising inflection is used to give emphasis, sometimes instead of stress and sometimes with stress.

By the use of gesture.

You only emphasise the important words. Over emphasis results in a jerky delivery and does not make the meaning clear.

Excerpt from my grandmothers notebook.

Practical Exercises to Try

Adapted from her notes, these exercises can help anyone improve their speech:

• Breathing for Control: Before speaking, take a deep breath from your diaphragm. This steadies your voice and helps calm any nerves.
• Tongue Twisters for Agility: Practise phrases such as: “Crisp clear consonants create confident communication.” Start slowly, then increase your speed, ensuring you do not lose clarity.
• Mirror Practice: Speak in front of a mirror to observe your posture and facial expressions. Remember confidence is expressed visually as well as vocally.

Trying it Yourself

If you have ever struggled with public speaking or wish to refine your own voice, start with the basics. Respect the pause, breathe deeply and speak with intention. In doing so you may discover that the art of elocution is not lost – it is simply waiting to be heard once more.

Going forward as I read through I will post more from the insightful pages.