Message #63410

[adminkate]

I would like to pitch in on the uhs and ums.  I too find myself losing all focus when listening to someone whose speech is littered with them.  When I have to speak and find myself umming, I make a concerted effort to stop.  It will seem terribly unnatural--like you've stopped in an awkward place, but rest assured, you haven't.  The pause will sound natural to your listeners and will keep you from racing through your material (another bad habit of mine).  It's ok to stop yourself, then pick up again when the um has passed :-)