Chapter 3 Study Guide Voice and Diction

Name______Date______Period______Chapter 3 Study Guide – Voice and Diction “Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to you, trippingly on the tongue.” – Hamlet

Vocabulary 1. quality

2. resonance

3. nasality

4. pitch

5. inflection

6. monotone

7. volume

8. rate

9. diction

10. schwa

11. voiceless

12. voiced

13. pronunciation

Focus Questions 1. What are the keys to a good speaking voice?

2. Why is breath control so important?

3. How can you develop a rich, strong, and interesting stage voice?

4. Describe the process of how sound and voice is produced from the body. 5. What is the difference between regular breathing and breathing for speech?

6. How many notes does a person use when speaking regularly? How many does a good speaker use?

7. What are the two types of force used for volume? Describe their features.

8. How should the following type of passage be delivered in regards to rate: a. Calm

b. Light

c. Reverent

d. Tragic

e. Comic

9. What are the different classifications of vowel sounds?

10. What does IPA stand for and what is it?

Summary and Key Ideas 1. What three things form the keys to a good speaking voice?

2. What is resonance? Tell several ways it can be practiced.

3. Explain how nasality occurs. 4. Name and describe four characteristics of the voice that an effective speaker must use correctly.

5. What is the most valuable asset an actor or speaker can have? Why?

6. What is diction? What habits must be avoided for good diction?

7. Why are vowels so important to a good voice and diction?

Discussing Ideas 1. Discuss the importance of improving diction. What benefits can improved diction bring to you both on and off the stage?

2. Discuss the differences between the voice and diction of ordinary conversation and the voice and diction required onstage.

3. Think about your own speaking quality. Discuss the individual improvement exercises that would be of most help to you.