Describe the difference between filled and unfilled pauses. Provide examples of effective ways to use unfilled pauses in a speech.

What will be an ideal response?

The ideal answer should include:
- Filled pauses are gaps in speech that you fill with vocalizations such as er, um, and ah. Even expressions such as well and you know are filled pauses when used to fill up a sentence. They detract from the strength of the message and make the speaker appear hesitant, unprepared, and unsure.
- Unfilled pauses, silences interjected into the stream of speech, can be especially effective if used correctly. Unfilled pauses can be used at certain points in a speech to enhance the message:
* The speaker can pause at transitional points to help listeners separate the main points being discussed.
* The speaker can pause at the end of an important assertion to allow the audience to think about its significance.
* The speaker can pause before an important idea to let the audience know that what comes next is especially significant.