Trainees sometimes tell me, “I’ve seen several media spokespeople use um and ah and it helps them sound natural, and less canned.”
While this may seem true to some, in public communication, expletives like: um, ah, er, well, like, sort of, kind of and you know are not worth the time it takes to say them. And like weeds, if not checked, words that add no content (or other) value tend toward infestation, as in the following Caroline Kennedy recent interview:
[youtube=http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=zAgI4AS1NVg&feature=related]
In a news grab, every syllable counts, and in presentations, weedy expletives become distracting and annoying. Say something meaningful and intelligent instead. You will still sound natural, as well as crisp and professional, when you cull expletives.
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