2.2d TEST YOURSELF on HBR: How to Stop Saying "Um" "Ah"

defensive
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Terms in this set (41)
defensive
trying to protect someone or something from harm or attack.

1. Pauses aren't always a __________ tactic.
tactic
a planned method for achieving a particular result.

1. Pauses aren't always a defensive _____.
strategically
in a way that relates to what an organization, country, etc. wants to achieve and how it plans actions and uses resources to do this.

1. _______________ placed silence can build suspense, emphasize a point, or give the audience time to absorb a key insight.
build
to develop something gradually so that it becomes larger, more powerful, more successful

1. Strategically placed silence can __________ suspense, emphasize a point, or give the audience time to absorb a key insight.
suspense
the feeling of excitement or nervousness that you have when you are waiting for something to happen and are uncertain about what it is going to be.

1. Strategically placed silence can build __________, emphasize a point, or give the audience time to absorb a key insight.
emphasize a point
to state or show that something is especially important or deserves special attention.

1. Strategically placed silence can build suspense, __________ _____ __________, or give the audience time to absorb a key insight.
absorb

verb
to take something in, especially gradually

1. Strategically placed silence can build suspense, emphasize a point, or give the audience time to ________ a key insight.
key
very important and having a lot of influence on people or things.

1. Used sparingly and effectively, filler words can make you more relatable to your audience, give you time to catch your breath and emphasize __________ points.
2. Strategically placed silence can build suspense, emphasize a point, or give the audience time to absorb a __________insight.
insight
a clear, deep, and sometimes sudden understanding of a complicated problem or situation, or the ability to have such an understanding.

1. Strategically placed silence can build suspense, emphasize a point, or give the audience time to absorb a key __________.
give someone a chance
To allow someone the opportunity to do something

1. Like filler words, pauses _____ _____ ___ _______ to take a break and figure out what comes next.
take a breakto stop doing something for a short period of time 1. Like filler words, pauses give you a chance to __________ ____ ___________ and figure out what comes next.figure something outto understand or solve something. 1. Like filler words, pauses give you a chance to take a break and __________ _____ what comes next.howeverdespite this; nevertheless. 1. __________, a pause makes you sound confident and in control, whereas overused filler words are distracting and make you sound as if you don't know what to say.in controlable to direct a situation, person, or activity. 1. However, a pause makes you sound confident and _____ __________, whereas overused filler words are distracting and make you sound as if you don't know what to say.overusedto use something too often or too much 1. However, a pause makes you sound confident and in control, whereas __________ filler words are distracting and make you sound as if you don't know what to say.don't know what to sayconfused, no prepared 1. However, a pause makes you sound confident and in control, whereas overused filler words are distracting and make you sound as if you __________ __________ __________ _____ __________.silenceto make someone or something be quiet. 1. Three Steps to __________ Crutch Wordsawarenessknowledge and understanding of a particular activity, subject, etc. 1. The first step in changing any habit — whether it's biting your nails or peppering every sentence with "you know" — is __________monitorto watch and check something carefully over a period of time. 1. Have a family member or close friend __________ your filler words and bring your attention to them with a clap or snap.cognizantunderstanding or realizing something. 1. Next, once you've become __________ of your filler words as they try to escape your lips, begin forcing yourself to be silent.escapeto become free or get free from, or to avoid something. 1. Next, once you've become cognizant of your filler words as they try to __________ your lips, begin forcing yourself to be silent.force someone to do somethingto push or persuade someone into taking action 1. Next, once you've become cognizant of your filler words as they try to escape your lips, begin __________ __________ to be silent.recallto bring the memory of a past event into your mind. 1. Practice using pauses instead of filler words as you __________ the events.stress the importance ofto emphasize something. 1. Finally, I can't _______ ___ __________ ___ preparation enough..optimalthe best or most effective possible outcome in a particular situation. 1. On average, the __________ ratio of preparation to performance is one hour of practice for every minute of presentation, but at the very least, Dr. Trey Guinn, one of our communication experts, recommends speakers get in at least three full runs before stepping in front of an audience.ratiothe relationship between two amounts, represented by two numbers or a percentage, expressing how much bigger one is than the other. 1. On average, the optimal __________ of preparation to performance is one hour of practice for every minute of presentation, but at the very least, Dr. Trey Guinn, one of our communication experts, recommends speakers get in at least three full runs before stepping in front of an audience.preparationthe state of being ready for something that will happen, or an action is taken to become ready. 1. Finally, I can't stress the importance of _______________ enough. 2. On average, the optimal ratio of _______________ to performance is one hour of practice for every minute of presentation, but at the very least, Dr. Trey Guinn, one of our communication experts, recommends speakers get in at least three full runs before stepping in front of an audience.at the very leastat a minimum, the smallest amount of something that is needed to do something 1. On average, the optimal ratio of preparation to performance is one hour of practice for every minute of presentation, but _____ _____ ______ ________, Dr. Trey Guinn, one of our communication experts, recommends speakers get in at least three full runs before stepping in front of an audience.get in at leastto do a minimum of something 1. On average, the optimal ratio of preparation to performance is one hour of practice for every minute of presentation, but at the very least, Dr. Trey Guinn, one of our communication experts, recommends speakers ______ ___ ___ ______ three full runs before stepping in front of an audience.full runpractice session 1. On average, the optimal ratio of preparation to performance is one hour of practice for every minute of presentation, but at the very least, Dr. Trey Guinn, one of our communication experts, recommends speakers get in at least _______ ____ _______ before stepping in front of an audience.stepping in front of somethingto put oneself in a position before a group 1. On average, the optimal ratio of preparation to performance is one hour of practice for every minute of presentation, but at the very least, Dr. Trey Guinn, one of our communication experts, recommends speakers get in at least three full runs before ________ ____ ________ ____ ____ ________.sparinglyin small amounts, or without wasting any. 1. Used ____________ and effectively, filler words can make you more relatable to your audience, give you time to catch your breath, and emphasize key points.relatablethat someone can understand or feel sympathy for. 1. Used sparingly and effectively, filler words can make you more ____________ to your audience, give you time to catch your breath, and emphasize key points.catch your breathto pause or rest for a short time until you can breathe comfortably or regularly again. 1. Used sparingly and effectively, filler words can make you more relatable to your audience, give you time to ____________ ________ ________, and emphasize key points.hurtto cause harm or difficulty. 1. But when they become crutch words, used out of nervousness or lack of preparation, they ________ your credibility.gather your thoughtsto make an effort to become calm and think more clearly. 1. Then, next time you're in front of an audience, use silence to ________ ________ ____________, rather than filling the air with sound.filling the air with soundmaking some noise so there isn't silence 1. Then, next time you're in front of an audience, use silence to gather your thoughts, rather than ________ ____ ____ ____ ________.placea particular position 1. Strategically _________ silence can build suspense, emphasize a point, or give the audience time to absorb a key insight.trip over somethingTo have difficulty saying something clearly or correctly 1. The less prepared you are, the more nervous you'll be, which will likely cause you to speak too quickly, _______________________, and forget what's next.biting your nailsA sign of anxiety, impatience, or nervousness when you put your teeth into your fingernails 1. The first step in changing any habit — whether it's biting your nails or peppering every sentence with "you know" — is awarenesspepperingto say something many times in a short period of time 1. The first step in changing any habit — whether it's biting your nails or peppering every sentence with "you know" — is awareness