The trick is to put your back into it, man! Good posture is the secret to a commanding delivery, according to Aaron Kall, director of the University of Michigan’s championship debate team. When your spine, shoulders and neck are all aligned, your diaphragm drops, allowing you to draw more air into your lungs with each breath. That’s important because when you send extra air through your larynx, you produce a stronger, clearer tone. You also need to stay hydrated, because your vocal folds (commonly known as your vocal cords) operate at their peak with proper lubrication. In fact, if you have your pick of beverages, take a swig of one Kall swears by: “Over the past 10 years I’ve had a lot of students who had raspy voices at debate tournaments, and white grape juice has been the most effective antidote.”
Your Summer Upgrade Is Here! The 11 Best Reads in Our New Issue
Big arms, flavour-packed braai recipes and heat-proof science – this is your manual for your best summer ever.
