Preaching Skills: 7 Ways to Improve the Projection of Your Voice

Written by Ginger McFarland

I’ve adapted this from an article by Ginger McFarland called “The Actor’s Voice.” It first appeared in Let’s Worship Magazine and was intended for actors but I have applied it to the preacher and teacher.

Preaching with Bold Assurance

The term “Projection” is a theatre term which refers to making your voice carry throughout the entire audience. Projection isn’t just an increase in volume; it involves vocal personality, and includes:

1. Articulation (also called enunciation)
Effective speakers will make use of the lips, teeth, tongue, and the jaw to form words correctly and will avoid running those words together. I always have to remind myself: “The audience is hearing this for the first time, not the seventieth. Will they understand the words?”

2. Pronunciation
The correct pronouncement of words is a big part of being understood. Check out the dictionary, and set the pronunciation in stone. This is especially helpful in those Old Testament sermons on the lives of kings not named Ahab or David. Consider using “Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary” available with Bible Navigator.

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3. Volume
Intensity in level is not necessarily equal to intensity of understandability. In other words, louder isn’t always better; it’s just, well, louder.

4. Relaxation
Being nervous usually goes hand in hand with being on stage. Unfortunately, a tense speaker can rarely be heard. He tends to speak lower and more softly. A relaxed speaker, however, can still lower his voice and project - if he articulates his words.

5. Confidence
Your goal is to rehearse the script enough times to allow your cast to feel comfortable with their lines and actions. Actors who feel secure in those things will be more likely to project and be understood.

6. Pitch
Speaking is just like singing in that it involves pitch. There should be a pleasing melody to the way your actors say their lines, raising or lowering the pitch for more climactic moments.

Good actors will use their normal speaking vocal range. Every quotation doesn’t have to go up in pitch at the ending. Every angry statement doesn’t have to be yelled.

7. Tongue twisters
These drive me crazy, but they’re exceptional for making a person spit out the words. Here are a few I repeat over and over.

• You need unique New York
• The lips, the teeth, the tip of the tongue
• Topeka, Bodega
• The sixth sick sheik’s sixth sheep’s sick
• Red leather, yellow leather
• Rubber baby buggy bumper
• Sushi chef

Ginger McFarland is a professional actor and director in the Chicago area.

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