Research shows that how you say something is five times more important than what you say. Inflections can greatly impact meaning and conversationality. When reading copy or giving a memorized speech, a lack of conversational inflection will "give you away" very quickly. The perfect words with the wrong inflection will sound mechanical and boring.

Inflections are the smooth pitch changes within words. They add interest and melody to the voice and speech. The four general types of inflection are rising, falling, and rising and falling circumflex.

You've known about falling inflections since you were in elementary school. You know that they express finality, strength and complete thoughts. They end most sentences, interrogatives and express authority and power.

If you're like me, you were told in school that questions end on a rising inflection. That's not necessarily true. We do use rising inflections to end "yes/no" questions, signify doubt, uncertainty, suspense, confusion and to suggest an incomplete thought. However, we use a falling inflection on interrogative questions. Notice how the inflection is different in these two sentences. Are you going to the store? What are you going to buy? The first ended up because it demands a "yes/no" answer. The second had a falling inflection because it's an interrogative and ask for more information than a simple "yes" or "no."

A current vocal habit is to use rising inflections on the ends of most sentences and phrases. Besides being irritating to your listener, "upspeak" gives the impression of a weak, indecisive and immature person. Break the habit by training your ear to hear the pattern. Listen closely to yourself (on tape if necessary) and then begin to replace the inappropriate endings with falling inflections.

Circumflex is a term you may not have heard before. We use a great deal of rising circumflex (up-down-up) when we talk, especially at the ends of phrases. They indicate to the listener that although we may be taking a pause, we haven't finished speaking. It's also used to indicate the first element of a contrast (It's not red, it's green.) and for a variety of other reasons. Unfortunately, it's a vocal aspect that's frequently eliminated in performance, especially when we read copy or have a speech memorized.

Here are some helpful exercises, hints and tips:

• Most people use the rising and falling inflections fairly well; they simply don't make them broad enough. Exaggerate the pitch change on the following to find a new way. In performance strive for a balance between the old and new.
  
  No!     No!!     No!!!          No?     No??     No???
  Why!     Why!!     Why!!!          Why?     Why??     Why???
  
  
• Repeat the previous words using rising (up-down-up) and falling (down-up-down) circumflex.
  
  
• Say the following words as many different ways as possible. Use all types of inflection and exaggerate. Think of your own words.
  
  Well     Go     Maybe     Please     Hey     Wow     So
  
  
  
• Read these sentences to reflect the emotions listed below
  
  I won't do it.     I'd love to.     She's my friend.
  
  anger     fear     doubt     determination     sarcasm     disgust
  joy     pity     curiosity     indifference     regret
  
  
• Tape record your end of some telephone conversations. Notice how your inflection changes depending on your listener. You use different inflections and a different tone when talking to a friend and a telemarketer.
  
  
• Use an upward inflection for the first few items of a list, then a falling inflection toward the end. Once you use a falling inflection, continue with it even if you still have several other things to add. A lot of up-and-down will confuse your listener.
  
  
• When preparing to give a speech or read aloud, mark your copy for inflections. They become your road map. Try: rising (), falling (), rising circumflex (), falling circumflex ().

*****Candice M. Coleman, Ph.D. uses presentations, coaching and learning resources to help business executives and others have more presence, influence and authenticity in their communication. She can be reached by phone at 314-621-9228 or on the Web at www.SayItWell.com.

© Say It Well! Inc. 2002. [Permission is granted to reprint this article provided that complete bio and contact information are included and that a copy of the publication is sent to: Say It Well! Inc., 1822 Hickory Street, St. Louis, MO 63104.]