Paraverbal communication is the type of communication that’s based on non-verbal cues, such as tone of voice, speed of delivery, volume, and inflection. Paraverbal communication is all about how to deliver a message, but not what the message is.
During normal conversations and conversations with people you know, you will notice that you are using a lot of paraverbal cues. It is part of your native ability to communicate. You may not even realize it because it’s something you learn as you mature in communication and social skills.
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Components of Paraverbal Communication
Volume
The volume of your voice is one of the most important aspects of paraverbal communication. It conveys emotion, tone, and emphasis. If your volume is high, but your tone and inflection are poor, the person might feel intimidated, annoyed, or ignored. If your volume is low, but your tone and inflection are good, the person might think you’re being too shy, passive-aggressive, or that you’re being ignored.
Speed
How quickly you speak is another aspect of paraverbal communication. A slow and steady pace keeps a conversation calm and easy. It allows the other person to respond and think before they respond. A fast pace keeps the other person in a hurry, which can make the other person feel as if they don’t have time to think or respond.
Rhythm
The rhythm of your words is something that’s not easily taught. However, it can be learned by practice. If you struggle with keeping your words in a rhythm, this is where a coach or a friend can really help you. This helps you to convey that you are casual, professional, etc. without making it uncomfortable or awkward.
Importance of Paraverbal Communication
During normal conversations and conversations with people you know, you will notice that you are using a lot of paraverbal cues. It is part of your native ability to communicate. You may not even realize it because it’s something you learn as you mature in communication and social skills.
What you may not realize, though, is that these cues can be learned and improved with practice and training. If you struggle with keeping your words in a rhythm, this is where a coach or a friend can really help you. This helps you to convey that you are casual, professional, etc. without making it uncomfortable or awkward.
How to Improve Paraverbal Communication
One of the best ways to improve your paraverbal communication is to practice while talking to a friend or family member. Don’t try to be perfect, but try to talk as naturally as possible. You may notice that certain pauses, words, or phrases take you more time to say and/or think about than others.
This is something to be aware of and try to improve. Along with practicing with a friend or family member, it’s also important to understand the types of paraverbal communication that you use. You can keep a journal or a notebook to write down what you notice during your conversations.
This will help you to understand and improve the areas you need to work on the most. Once you’ve identified what you’d like to work on, it’s time to practice! Try to practice your speech as often as possible. You can also try to talk to yourself, which can help you to improve your paraverbal communication.
Summary
During normal conversations and conversations with people you know, you will notice that you are using a lot of paraverbal cues. It is part of your native ability to communicate. You may not even realize it because it’s something you learn as you mature in communication and social skills. What you may not realize, though, is that these cues can be learned and improved with practice and training. If you struggle with keeping your words in a rhythm, this is where a coach or a friend can really help you. This helps you to convey that you are casual, professional, etc. without making it uncomfortable or awkward.
One of the best ways to improve your paraverbal communication is to practice while talking to a friend or family member. Try to talk as naturally as possible. You may notice that certain pauses, words, or phrases take you more time to say and/or think about than others. This is something to be aware of and try to improve. Along with practicing with a friend or family member, it’s also important to understand the types of paraverbal communication that you use.
You can keep a journal or a notebook to write down what you notice during your conversations. This will help you to understand and improve the areas you need to work on the most. Once you’ve identified what you’d like to work on, it’s time to practice! Try to practice your speech as often as possible. You can also try to talk to yourself, which can help you to improve your paraverbal communication.