elocution
Art of speaking
Elocution is the art of clear, expressive speech, particularly in public speaking or recitation.
The word emphasizes pronunciation, articulation, and delivery rather than content.
In earlier centuries, elocution was a formal subject taught in schools: She took elocution lessons to lose her regional accent.
The term now sounds somewhat old-fashioned.
Formal eloquent discourse
- declamationForceful, theatrical speaking
- recitationOral delivery from memory
- public speakingAddressing a live audience
- presentationFormal display to viewers
performance · monologue · reading aloud · speechmaking · proclamation · announcement · address · lecture
Manner of speaking words
- dictionChoice of words
- enunciationClarity of spoken words
- clarityState of being understandable
- distinctnessQuality of being distinguishable
precision · crispness · syllabication · accent · stress · emphasis · audibility · projection
Pitch variation in speech
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
- inflectionWord form alteration
- modulationVarying signals to transmit
- rhythmPatterned stress and silence
tone · pitch · pacing · timing · pause · phrasing · melody · musicality
Convincing through reasoning
- oratoryFormal eloquent discourse
- discourseFormal communication on subjects
- argumentationSystematic reasoning process
- debateFormal argument on issues
speechwriting · composition · style · flourish · figure of speech · appeal · ethos · pathos
oratory
Formal eloquent discourse
- declamationForceful, theatrical speaking
- recitationOral delivery from memory
- public speakingAddressing a live audience
presentation · performance · monologue · reading aloud · speechmaking · proclamation · announcement · address · lecture · sermon
pronunciation
Manner of speaking words
- dictionChoice of words
- enunciationClarity of spoken words
- clarityState of being understandable
distinctness · precision · crispness · syllabication · accent · stress · emphasis · audibility · projection · volume
intonation
Pitch variation in speech
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
- inflectionWord form alteration
- modulationVarying signals to transmit
rhythm · tone · pitch · pacing · timing · pause · phrasing · melody · musicality · flow
persuasion
Convincing through reasoning
- oratoryFormal eloquent discourse
- discourseFormal communication on subjects
- argumentationSystematic reasoning process
debate · speechwriting · composition · style · flourish · figure of speech · appeal · ethos · pathos · logos
resonance
Amplified oscillation at natural frequency
- timbreSound's distinctive character
- registerRecord officially; vocal range
- qualityStandard or attribute
warmth · richness · depth · clarity · power · control · range · vibrato · nasality · breathiness
- languagelanguage, word, words, grammar, spelling
- speechspeech, speaking, talk, diction, conversation
- language learningvocabulary lists, lessons, acquisition, basic vocabulary, grammar books
- public speakingspeech, public speaking, keynotes, keynote speeches, oratory
- oratorypublic speaking, speeches, oration, orations, addresses
- spoken languagespeech, spoken word, pronunciation, accent, dialect
elocutionmumbling
Indistinct, quiet speech
inarticulation · stammering · slurring · muttering · inarticulateness
elocutionsilence
Total lack of sound
reading · writing · listening · silent reading · written communication