Tuesday, March 21, 2017

How to of the Day

How to of the Day


How to Concentrate on Your Homework

Posted: 21 Mar 2017 05:00 PM PDT

Homework got you down? If you're having trouble concentrating, you can learn to strategize properly to finish up your assignments the right way. Learn how to prepare for a homework session, stay focused on your work, and do your homework efficiently.

EditSteps

EditPreparing for Homework

  1. Find a quiet place to work. If you need to focus, it can be pretty hard to do that in the living room while your brother plays Xbox at full volume. Try to find a quiet place where you'll be able to study in peace and focus on what you need to do. If needed make some changes in the room.
    Concentrate on Your Homework Step 1 Version 2.jpg
    • Your room is often the best bet, but anywhere can work. Try to set aside a specific spot to do your homework every night, like the kitchen table or a desk in the living room.
    • If you can't find a quiet place in your house, or you don't have your own room, try staying after school to finish your homework. Or head to the public library to study.
  2. Get everything you'll need to complete your homework. Before you get started, make sure you gather all the right materials and utensils, gathering them neatly on your desk. If you have everything you'll need, you'll be able to concentrate on what you're doing, not where your protractor is, and where you need to find your notes. Tidiness is essential, so clean the clutter before you study.
    Concentrate on Your Homework Step 2 Version 2.jpg
    • Bring a glass of water, or a healthy snack, so you won't find a reason to leave your work when you get a little craving. Keep your butt in the chair.
  3. Eliminate all distractions. Turn off the computer, Facebook, Twitter, or anything that will distract you. If you're trying to focus, get rid of everything except the assignment in front of you and anything directly related to that assignment. If you need your computer for finding information, then try concentrating on the information, not on anything else.
    Concentrate on Your Homework Step 3 Version 2.jpg
    • If you struggle with wanting to check your phone or your computer, put them in another room, or give them to your mom or roommate to watch over them. Only get them back when you're on break time.
    • Some recent studies suggest that listening to soft, instrumental music can actually improve concentration when you're doing homework. It doesn't work for everyone, but experiment with music and see if it works for you.[1]
  4. Write a to-do checklist for your homework. Before you start, write out everything that you need to do to finish your homework in a detailed list. Even if you have a school planner or something similar, it's good to have a clear list in front of you at home before you start, so you can check things off as you work.
    Concentrate on Your Homework Step 4 Version 2.jpg
    • Write down the subject name and a brief overview of what you have to do for the assignment. Write down the due date and a rough guess about how long it might take to finish each assignment. Take in consideration other assignments, if you have any.
    • Order your to-dos from hardest to easiest, so you can tackle the toughest stuff first. Or you can order them in order of how long you think they'll take, so you can focus on the most time-consuming tasks first. Both ways are effective.
  5. Make a schedule. Without a plan, it can sometimes be pretty hard to stay on task. Try setting a certain block of time for each thing you need to get done. For example, science homework will be done from 4:00-5:00, then math work will be completed from 5:00-6:00. This will help you stay on track so you're not straying from your work. The deadline for the work will help you complete tasks with some intensity, so that you're not leaving it all to the last second.
    Concentrate on Your Homework Step 5 Version 2.jpg
    • It's pretty important to know when your assignment is due so you can budget your time properly. It can be pretty rough if you're working on 4 different assignments the night before they are all due.
    • Try to keep your work area organized as well. Having math work in the middle of all your English notes isn't the best way to stay focused on your work.

EditDoing Your Work

  1. Take a minute to switch on your brain. It can be hard to go from regular life to studying with the flip of a switch. Give your brain a chance to change from TV-watching mode to reading and studying mode. Try flipping through your textbook before you start, so you can get into the mind set.
    Concentrate on Your Homework Step 6 Version 2.jpg
    • Re-copying your notes quickly can also be extremely effective. The notes you copied down Friday afternoon probably aren't imprinted on your mind yet. It's an easy way to study and get your thinking cap fitted properly.
  2. Do the hardest tasks first. Lots of people find the most effective way to approach homework is to start with the toughest tasks and get them out of the way. If you absolutely hate math, but get a kick out of reading for English, do your math homework first and treat yourself afterward with the easier English reading. As you get more worn down over the homework hours, the work will get easier.
    Concentrate on Your Homework Step 7 Version 2.jpg
    • Alternatively, you might find it more effective to do the most time-consuming tasks first. These might be the same as the hardest, but not necessarily.
  3. Try speaking aloud as you do your homework. If you struggle to focus while you're doing something repetitive, speaking your math problems out loud can help to keep your mind centered on what you're doing. This will help you keep from getting distracted.
    Concentrate on Your Homework Step 8 Version 2.jpg
    • If you feel silly, you don't have to speak them very loudly. Just whisper. When you're trying to puzzle out what to do with the problem, speak out loud as well. Hearing what you're thinking can help with creativity.[2]
  4. Finish one task before you move on to something else. Don't switch between assignments. Instead, finish one before you move on to the next. According recent studies, multitasking temporarily drops your IQ and your cognitive abilities on each task, making the work even tougher.[3]
    Concentrate on Your Homework Step 9 Version 2.jpg
    • Check things off as you go. As soon as you have completed a task, put a check next to it-you can even have several check boxes for different parts of the task. Being able to put a tick next to something and think: I've done this, is a great feeling, and can encourage you to keep going.
    • If you really can't figure something out, put it aside for a while. Staring at something useless only gets you frustrated and it takes lots of time. Starting another task makes you feel a little better (a fresh start-feeling) and you'll probably feel a lot better when you begin some other time.
  5. Know when to call it quits. Looking at a late night of homework? Try to never work longer than an hour or maybe two past your normal sleep time. Do as much as possible, and finish up in the morning if you've got some leftover. If you can't finish, plan better next time.
    Concentrate on Your Homework Step 10 Version 2.jpg
    • Your work will start to suffer as you get more tired, and you'll hurt your focus for the next day as well. Once you start mixing your work time and sleep time, you'll have trouble planning, budgeting time, and estimating your workload.

EditStaying Motivated

  1. Take regular short breaks. Instead of one super long break, take a few short breaks in between different assignments. Maybe have a five minute break for a snack after 30-60 minutes of work.
    Concentrate on Your Homework Step 11 Version 2.jpg
    • Take five minutes to stretch, pop outside for a walk, or do something active, instead of just sitting and checking Facebook. It's important to make sure that you aren't sitting at a desk for hours and hours at a time.
    • When you don't take breaks, the work can seem kind of endless. Productivity and concentration suffer, because you end up wasting some time doing other things like going on social media, doodling, or just doing poor work.
  2. Be careful with caffeine. Caffeine gives some students a much-needed jolt of concentration juice. For others, it's a fast-track to jittering around like a squirrel on speed. Don't drink more than the normal amount of coffee or caffeinated drink you usually consume. It will make concentrating harder.
    Concentrate on Your Homework Step 12.jpg
    • Better than caffeine is just staying hydrated. Drink water or juice instead to make sure your brain is functioning on all levels.
  3. Try working on homework with other people. It can be kind of hard to focus if you're alone in a tiny room with just your books and papers. Sometimes it can be helpful to work out in the open where there are other people, or to study in a big group. They can be helpful in keeping you accountable. If you say that you're working on an essay and they see you browsing Tumblr, they can point it out and keep you in check.
    Concentrate on Your Homework Step 13.jpg
    • As long as you're not sharing answers, working on homework together isn't cheating. Really, it's just smart time management and study skills.
  4. Give yourself a treat when you're done. It's important to give yourself a reward for the hard work you're doing, each time you finish a task. Working toward a fun activity, treat, or some leisure time helps to motivate you to finish your work quickly, which means you'll have to concentrate.
    Concentrate on Your Homework Step 14.jpg
    • Try this: Cut some colored paper into strips or squares and write all of your assignments you have for that day. Put these in one pile. Create another pile with an equal number of rewards. Put checking your phone or Facebook page on one, playing a game for 10 minutes, watching the new episode on TV, or anything that you want to do or would do in your free time.
    • When you finish one task, pick a treat from the pile of rewards. This is a great way to get work done and enjoy the things you like to do. Don't get too carried away with the rewards. Only one episode TV, not the rest of the season.

EditTips

  • Amazingly, you will have more free time if you do it now instead of later.
  • Whatever you do, don't put it off. It'll make you want to do it less.
  • If you're in a mood where you don't want to do your homework, think about all the fun you will have when you are done.
  • Don't sit next to an annoying sibling.
  • Concentrate on your work, not your friends. If you get called, tell them you will call them back.
  • Make sure to be in a clean room so that you won't make the excuse of "tidying up" instead of your work.
  • Don't work where there is any TV, cooking, or nasty smells.
  • Before sitting down to do your work, consider doing some exercise, such as running or jumping. Do this for a few minutes to get your blood flowing.
  • Some studies have shown that a view of nature can increase your productivity and concentration. Try to get a view of your backyard through a window, but make sure there is nothing distracting outside. A few pictures on the wall or a flower in a vase will also help a little.
  • Change into something comfortable. This helps because you won't being scratching while doing work
  • Don't waste time looking for more and more ways to concentrate on homework, just get it done.
  • Make sure that you are provided with all the stationary that you need.
  • Make a homework schedule. For example, you get 15 minutes of television time if you finish all your math and science.
  • Reward yourself for a work done.
  • Some people claim that music helps them work faster whereas others say that it distracts them even more. It depends mostly on the learning type of person.
  • Don't procrastinate by doing something that doesn't help you. Get to the point and finish your studies as soon as possible!
  • Turn off notifications on your phone and/or mute a group text. This will stop you from checking your phone constantly. You can mute it if you want.
  • Before you start your homework, remove any distractions (ex. phone, computer) to help you focus only on your work.
  • Close your door to avoid outside noise.
  • Whenever you need to take a break, take one. Don't become stressed about noise or interruptions. Take deep breaths and block out other thoughts until your homework is done.
  • Listen to some instrumental music to help you concentrate.

EditWarnings

  • Don't procrastinate; all it will do is stress you out, making you want to do your homework even less! The consequences will be bad, and you will get mad at yourself by not doing your homework, when you had the time. Plus you're just creating more work for yourself because now you have current homework that's due as well as the homework that is now late.
  • Force yourself to concentrate and focus. If you don't concentrate and do your homework, chances are you'll get a bad score on the chapter test!

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EditSources and Citations


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How to Do Acupressure

Posted: 21 Mar 2017 09:00 AM PDT

Acupressure is an Asian Bodywork Therapy (ABT) with roots in ancient Chinese medicine. Acupressure uses the basic concept of chi: the energy that flows through the body following lines called meridians. These meridians can be accessed at specific points that allow one to manipulate the flow of energy.[1]

EditSteps

EditUnderstanding Acupressure

  1. Understand the concept of acupressure. Acupressure is an Asian Bodywork Therapy developed over 5,000 years ago. Acupressure relies on finger placement and pressure along pressure points on the body.[2]
    Do Acupressure Step 1 Version 2.jpg
    • The points are believed to be arranged along channels, called meridians. Stimulating these areas is believed to release tension and increase blood flow.[3]
    • Some people believe that acupressure and other Asian body therapies correct imbalances and blockages of the flow of vital energies through our bodies.[4]
  2. Learn what to use acupressure for. Acupressure is used for a variety of ailments. One of the most common uses is to relieve pain, such as headaches and neck and back pain. People also use acupressure to help with nausea and vomiting, fatigue, mental and physical stress, weight loss, and even addiction. Acupressure is believed to cause deep relaxation and a decrease in muscle tension. [5]
    Do Acupressure Step 2 Version 2.jpg
    • Many doctors, practitioners, and advocates of holistic health believe that acupressure has positive and healing effects on the body.[6] UCLA has a Center for East-West Medicine that studies the scientific basis of acupressure. They try to provide explanations and practical applications of the techniques.[7]
    • To become a licensed acupressurist, one must go through a rigorous program at special acupressure and acupuncture schools. They can also go through massage therapy programs. These programs include study of anatomy and physiology, acupressure points and meridians, technique and protocol, and Chinese medicine theory, . These programs require up to 500 hours of schooling.[8]
  3. Dedicate time to acupressure. If you want to use acupressure, you need to repeat the steps over time. The techniques have a cumulative effect on the body. Each time you manipulate the pressure points, you help balance your body.
    Do Acupressure Step 3 Version 2.jpg
    • Some people may see results immediately, some may need several treatments. Although immediate pain relief may occur, the pain can return. This is considered normal. Acupressure is not an immediate fix. It is technique you can use to help ease pain by decreasing blockages and restoring your body to a balanced condition.[9]
    • You can apply acupressure as frequently as you want. Multiple times a day or even multiple times an hour. As you continually manipulate a point, you may feel a lack of pain as it begins to heal.
    • Most people suggest practicing acupressure every day. If that is impossible, then practice at least 2-3 times a week.[10]

EditApplying Acupressure Correctly

  1. Use the right amount of force. Use a deep, firm pressure when you are stimulating the points.[11] The amount of pressure you place onto your body depends on your overall health. When pressing, you might feel a bit of soreness or pain, but it should be a balance between pain and pleasure.
    Do Acupressure Step 4 Version 2.jpg
    • Some points will feel tense; others will feel sore or ache when you press them. If you feel extreme or increasing pain, gradually decrease the pressure until you feel a balance of pain and pleasure.
    • Do not think of acupressure as increasing your endurance to pain. If something is so painful it's too uncomfortable or excruciating, then stop.[12]
  2. Use the correct pressing aids. Acupressure most commonly uses the fingers to massage, rub, and stimulate the pressure points. Knuckles, elbows, knees, legs, and feet can also be used.[13]
    Do Acupressure Step 5 Version 2.jpg
    • The middle finger is the best for applying pressure to the pressure points. It is the longest and strongest of your fingers. People also use the thumb, too.
    • To correctly manipulate a pressure point, use something blunt. For some pressure points, the fingers may be too thick. Objects that have a 3-4 mm thickness, like used pencil eraser, are ideal. Other objects you can use are an avocado pit or a golf ball.
    • Some pressure points can be pressed using a fingernail.[14]
  3. Press the area. When you press the area, you are reinforcing it. This is the most common acupressure method. To do this, use a blunt object. Don't rub or massage the area; instead, hold the point with steady pressure.
    Do Acupressure Step 6.jpg
    • If you are pulling the skin, the angle of the pressure is incorrect. You want to apply the pressure at the center of the point.[15]
    • Make sure to press on the right spot. These acupressure points are very small, so they have to be precise. If you don't feel any effects, then try different spots.
    • When performing acupressure, you want to look for sore pressure points. If there is no blockage, you won't feel any effect from pressing the point and won't need to treat it.[16]
    • Relaxing can also help emphasize the effects.[17]
  4. Press for the appropriate length of time. Acupressure employs steady presses to the pressure points. By pressing a point for only half a second, your body will start to respond. This is a good way to try to find the pressure points when just beginning.[18]
    Do Acupressure Step 7.jpg
    • To get the full effect of acupressure, press for at least 2-3 minutes.
    • If your hand gets tired, slowly withdraw the pressure, shake your hand, and breathe deeply. Then reapply the pressure.[19]
  5. Release the pressure point gradually. After holding the pressure point for the desired amount of time, slowly release the point. Don't just yank your hand away. Releasing the point gradually is believed to allow the tissues to heal by giving them time to respond to the release in pressure.
    Do Acupressure Step 8.jpg
    • Most believe that the gradual pressing and releasing of pressure points help make the treatments more effective.[20]
  6. Perform acupressure when your body is in the right state. Acupressure should be performed when you are relaxed, preferably in a private place. You can sit or lie down when administering acupressure. Try to cut out outside distractions and stress. Turn off cell phones and play relaxing music. Use aromatherapy. Try any technique that will promote relaxation.
    Do Acupressure Step 9.jpg
    • Wear comfortable, loose clothing. Any kind of restricting clothing, like belts, tight pants, or even shoes, can obstruct the circulation.
    • You shouldn't use acupressure techniques right before a big meal or on a full stomach. Wait for at least an hour after eating so that you don't get nauseated.
    • Don't drink iced drinks because that can counteract the effects of acupressure. Instead, drink hot herbal tea afterwards.[21]
    • Wait at least half an hour after heavy exercise or taking a bath.[22]

EditLearning Common Pressure Points

  1. Try Gallbladder 20. Gallbladder 20 (GB20), also called Feng Chi, is recommended for headache, migraines, eye blurriness or fatigue, low energy, and cold or flu symptoms. GB20 is located in the neck.[23]
    Do Acupressure Step 10.jpg
    • Clasp your hands, then open them while keeping your fingers laced. Form a cup shape with your palms. You will use the thumbs to massage the pressure point.
    • To find this pressure point, place your interlocked hands behind your head. Use your thumbs to find the depressions at the base of your skull. They should be about 2 inches from the middle of your neck. These depressions will be below the skull and beside your neck muscles.
    • Press your thumbs in and slightly upwards towards your eyes.
  2. Use Gallbladder 21. Gallbladder 21 (GB21), also called Jian Jing, is commonly used to treat pain, neck stiffness, shoulder tension, and headaches. GB21 is located in the shoulder.[24]
    Do Acupressure Step 11.jpg
    • Drop your head forward. Find the round knob at the top of the spine, and then the ball of your shoulder. GB21 is located halfway between these two places.
    • Use your finger to apply steady downward pressure to this point. You can also press the point between the thumb and index finger with your opposite hand. Then, massage the spot in a downward motion with the finger for 4-5 seconds while releasing the hold.
    • Use caution with this acupressure point on pregnant women. This pressure point is used to induce labor.
  3. Learn Large Intestine 4. Large Intestine 4 (L14), also called Hoku, is commonly used for stress, facial pain, headaches, toothaches, and neck pain. L14 can be found on the hand between the thumb and the index finger.[25]
    Do Acupressure Step 12.jpg
    • To stimulate this area, apply pressure on the webbing between your index finger and thumb. Focus on the area towards the middle of your hand, between the first and second metacarpal bones. Apply steady, firm pressure as you pinch.
    • This pressure point has also been associated with inducing labor.
  4. Use Liver 3. Liver 3 (LV3), also called Tai Chong, is recommended for stress, lower back pain, high blood pressure, menstrual cramps, limb pain, insomnia, and anxiety.[26] It is located in the soft flesh between your big and second toes.[27]
    Do Acupressure Step 13.jpg
    • Find the point by going two fingers lengths above where the skin of your big toe and second toe join. Using a blunt object, press firm pressure to this point.
    • This must be done with the shoes off.
  5. Try Pericardium 6. Pericardium 6 (P6), also called Nei Guan, is recommended to relieve nausea, upset stomachs, motion sickness, carpal tunnel syndrome, and headaches. It is located just above the wrist.[28]
    Do Acupressure Step 14.jpg
    • Place your hand so your palm is facing you with your fingers towards the ceiling. Lay the first 3 fingers of your opposite hand across your wrist. Touch your thumb to your wrist just below your index finger. You should feel 2 large tendons.
    • Use both your thumb and forefinger to press this point. Make sure to apply this technique to both wrists.[29]
  6. Learn Stomach 36. Stomach 36 (ST36), also known as Zu San Li, is commonly used for gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, stress, boosting your immune system, and fatigue. It is found below the kneecap.[30]
    Do Acupressure Step 15.jpg
    • Place 4 fingers below your kneecap on the front of your leg. Below your fingers, you should feel a depression between the shinbone and leg muscle. The point is outside of the bone.
    • Press this point using a fingernail or thumbnail. This helps you can closer to the bone.[31]
  7. Use Lung 7. Lung 7 (LU7), also called Lieque, is used for head and neck pain, sore throat, toothache, asthma, coughing, and overall immune health. It is located on the arm.[32]
    Do Acupressure Step 16.jpg
    • Make a thumbs up. Find the depression at the base of your thumb where two tendons are. The pressure point is about a thumbs width away from that spot, along the side of your arm where you feel a bone sticking out.[33]
    • Press. You can use the nail of your thumb or index finger.

EditTips

  • Many simple acupressure remedies can be self administered. See a professional acupressure practitioner for longstanding, complex, or severe illnesses or pain.
  • Don't use the pressure point if it is under a mole, wart, varicose vein, abrasion, bruise, cut, or any other break in the skin.[34]

EditWarnings

  • Never continue any pressure or massage that causes new or more pain.
  • This information is not intended as a substitute for qualified medical advice.
  • Do not attempt any new treatments without discussing it with your health practitioner.
  • While you can help others and receive help with acupressure, keep it to family and friends. Most states have laws against practicing massage or medical care without a license.[35]

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How to Enunciate

Posted: 21 Mar 2017 01:00 AM PDT

Enunciation is a skill everyone could benefit from practicing, especially before a public speech, a singing performance, or just a crowded, noisy gathering. With enough practice, anyone can change, mumbling, mispronunciations, or lightning-speed chatter into a clear, vibrant voice.

EditSteps

EditLearning Basic Enunciation Tips

  1. Watch yourself talk in a mirror. Talk at a mirror as you watch the movements of your mouth, jaw, tongue, and lips. Make these movements as big and noticeable as possible. This will improve your enunciation, and help you identify which sounds are difficult for you. Continue to watch yourself in the mirror as you practice the steps below.
    Enunciate Step 1 Version 3.jpg
  2. Show your teeth. Surprisingly, this can help a lot. Showing your teeth gives your lips more space, tightens your cheeks, and creates a larger opening for sound. These changes improve your audibility and intelligibility. And if you don't believe it, try saying "audibility and intelligibility" with your lips together, and then with your teeth showing.
    Enunciate Step 2 Version 3.jpg
    • Aim for a pleasant, happy expression, but not a full-blown smile. Your cheeks shouldn't feel sore after holding a short conversation.
  3. Lift up your soft palate. That's the soft part in the back of the roof of your mouth. Singers are trained to raise the soft palate in order to achieve a fuller, more resonant tone. Try inhaling gently as you make a soft k sound, and your soft palate will rise.[1] A small, unvoiced yawn complements the inhale, by warming up different muscles around your soft palate.[2]
    Enunciate Step 3 Version 3.jpg
    • Avoid exaggerated yawning or gulping to achieve this. Anything more than a gentle effort is counterproductive.
  4. Keep the tongue forward and down. Obviously, your tongue will be moving while you speak, but it's still worth practicing a neutral position that doesn't interfere with the passage of sounds. Try hanging your tongue out of your mouth, then gradually pulling it back until it is just behind the lower teeth, touching their base. Your tongue can produce many vowel sounds with minimal movement from this position, mostly by raising and lowering the middle of the tongue instead of the tip.
    Enunciate Step 4 Version 3.jpg
    • This is especially important while you are singing, or when trying to address certain types of lisp.
  5. Stand up straight. This allows you to breathe better. Sound is created by the air being forced out of your lungs, so the clearer your breathing, the clearer your speech. Look straight ahead, so your jaw is flat instead of lowered compressing your throat.
    Enunciate Step 5 Version 3.jpg
    • When talking to someone roughly the same height as you, maintaining eye contact is a good way to ensure your chin stays raised.
  6. Speak slowly and steadily. If you speak quickly, you are much more likely to slur your words. Even if you stutter, the best approach is to pause and attempt the word again, not to rush through it.
    Enunciate Step 6 Version 3.jpg

EditTraining Enunciation with Exercises

  1. Go through some consonant-vowel combinations. This gets you practice in most common sounds, and is also helpful for "warming up" your voice before a speech. Try these common vowels with a few consonants, or even going through the whole alphabet:
    Enunciate Step 7 Version 3.jpg
    • "Bah Beh Bee Bih Bo Boo Buh"
    • "Vah Veh Vee Vih Vo Voo Vuh" (et cetera)
    • For more of a challenge, include the vowel "aw," which is similar but distinct from "ah" in most dialects. You can also include combination consonants such as "SL" and "PR"
  2. Practice diphthongs. Diphthongs are vowels that require you to move your tongue from one position to another as you pronounce them. Practice saying these words slowly, identifying the two mouth positions you use during the vowel. Then try to speed up and say the words more quickly while keeping your mouth movements precise. Spend more time in the first part of the vowel than the second, and your speech will sound clearer and more refined.[3][4][5]
    Enunciate Step 8 Version 3.jpg
    • Ache mate paid saint stray
    • Eye nice rhyme pie height
    • Voice noise coin
    • Load toad flow
    • Crowd sprout found
    • Air square prayer (not always considered a diphthong, but still good practice)
    • Cute few ewes
    • Onion union million
    • Don't worry too much if you can't identify the two vowel sounds in some of these. Different dialects of English often pronounce diphthongs differently, or even as single vowels.
  3. Practice tongue twisters. Try to articulate each word in a tongue twister, especially one that contains sounds you find difficult to pronounce. Start out slowly, and go faster once you can pronounce it perfectly. Here are a few tongue twisters for common problem sounds, which you can find more of here:
    Enunciate Step 9 Version 3.jpg
    • James just jostled Jean gently.
    • Round the rugged rocks the ragged rascal ran.
    • Silly Susan sells sea shells by the seashore.
  4. Record yourself speaking. Read a book (or even this article) out loud into a voice recorder. Try to articulate every sound clearly so that you can be heard. It may help to set up the recording device a short distance from yourself, then to increase the distance each time and try to keep your speech just as clear.
    Enunciate Step 10 Version 3.jpg
    • You can probably find a voice recorder on your computer or online. Your phone may have a voice recorder too, but it may not be high enough quality for enunciation practice.
  5. Practice with a pencil in your mouth. Hold a pencil, chopstick, pen, or similar object horizontal been your teeth, and repeat the speaking drills above. By making your tongue and mouth work much harder around a physical speech impediment, enunciating will become easier when you are speaking normally without any obstruction in the way of your speaking.
    Enunciate Step 11 Version 3.jpg

EditPracticing Other Speaking Techniques

  1. Vary your speaking speed. People have trouble understanding speech that is too fast to follow, or slurred because you're speaking too fast for your tongue to follow. Read aloud while concentrating on the flow of the content, slowing down to emphasize important points and speeding up slightly during exciting moments.[6] Children's books (with full paragraphs) are a good choice, since they tend to focus on emotion and have a simple style to follow.
    Enunciate Step 12 Version 2.jpg
    • You can also try recording yourself speaking out loud, then counting the number of words per minute you use. Although "normal" speed depends on region, culture, and other variables, most people speak at a rate between 120 and 200 words per minute.[7]
  2. Pause intentionally. Read aloud again at a slow or moderate pace, this time focusing on the punctuation. Pause at commas and periods, and take a moment to clear your throat or inhale deeply at the end of a paragraph. Try to include these intentional pauses in your speech as well, so the listener has time to process what you have said, and help you avoid tripping over your words.
    Enunciate Step 13 Version 2.jpg
  3. Speak loudly but clearly. There's an art of projecting your voice, or increasing your volume without sounding hoarse or flat.[8] Look in the mirror and place your hand on your stomach, then breathe in and out deeply. Inhale from the diaphragm, below the stomach, not from the upper lungs. If your shoulders remain level during this exercise, you're doing it right.[9] Maintain this type of breathing as you practice greeting yourself in the mirror from farther and farther distances, or just keep adding volume gradually without forcing too much or experiencing a scratchy sensation.
    Enunciate Step 14 Version 2.jpg
    • Focus on this exercise if people ask you to speak up or repeat yourself frequently, or if you are training to give a spoken presentation.

EditVideo

EditTips

  • These exercises work best when used once or twice daily.
  • Enunciation doesn't require changing your accent completely. Non-native English speakers should focus on pronunciation, while native speakers who have moved between regions might just need to increase or decrease the speed of their speech to match local custom.

EditWarnings

  • Don't overexert your vocal cords. Be sure to rest your voice when it starts to hurt.

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