Expression is the third key point in Reading Aloud. Expression is your tone of voice when you use words.
Do you speak with anger, or compassion?
Is there fear in your voice or pride or humility? It sounds in your expression.
How do you know what expression to use? The sense of the text should tell you.
When Paul is talking to the Philippians he talks with great joy; to the Galatians with disappointment; to Timothy he brings loving concern.
Expression can carry a wide variety of emotions.
In reading out loud try Matthew 22:23 and what follows. The Sadducees came to Jesus with the problem story of the seven brothers and the one wife. Their spokesman presented what sounded like a very serious proposition. As his argument built up he seemed to feel that he was doing very well. A smugness came into his voice. The Lord answered crisply, that he didn't know the power of God or the Scriptures and inferred he did not properly understand what Moses had written.
How do you get the right tone of voice into a reading of this situation?
EXPRESSION YOU CHANGE THE MEANING OR HIDE THE MEANING
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN TO CHANGE EXPRESSION OR WHEN TO CHANGE VOLUME, PACE OR PITCH?
THE MEANING OF THE TEXT TELLS YOU.
UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU READ.
THEN READ WITH A TONE OF VOICE
THAT BRINGS OUT THE MEANING.
It is not achieved by on-the-spur-of-the-moment reading, but calls for careful preparation, understanding and the use of all the principles, to give the meaning.
You then colour the words with careful expression. It is the sense that gives you the tone of voice.
Expression adds colour, warmth, depth, to words. The emphasis cannot be changed without changing the meaning. However, in expression there is wide scope for individuality with variation in pace, pitch and volume, but always in a normal not a "professional" voice. It is essential to sound natural.
Unusual voices distract and discourage people from listening.
THE MEANING COMES IN THE EXPRESSION
WHICH MEAL WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
It was to be a popular lecture by a world famous continental chef.
A wonderful aroma came from his kitchen. The audience leaned forward expectantly as the dapper, smiling, culinary expert stepped onto the platform. Assistants carried a number of loaded trays.
With a flourish he announced, "The materials are the best and the cooking is of fine quality." He paused dramatically. "So far so good. But serving it. . . . How important that is."
He whisked off a cover to display coarse china, chipped and smeary. Beside it was dull looking cutlery that spoke of sketchy washing in tepid water. Onto the unattractive plates he carelessly dumped the food.
Turning to his astonished audience, he shrugged, "This is one way of serving a notable meal."
A second cover was lifted. This time there was fine sparkling china. Knives gleamed, the silver of the spoons and forks shone. With care and artistry he served the meal.
The lecturer paused and smiled whimsically. "Ladies and Gentlemen, which meal would you choose?"
MEANINGFUL EXPRESSION
There is high importance in putting expression into meaning.The precision tools are the big three:
VOLUME, PACE, PITCH.
Writers change feelings. Stories change moods.
The responsible reader will communicate these changes of mood and emotion. It is essential to give all the ideas meaningful expression.
The tone of voice used must fit the meaning of the words to be read. This is done through the use of the big three: volume, pace and pitch.
The reader speaks at a moderate volume, pace or pitch. When the story becomes exciting increase the "big
three".
If it becomes full of suspense decrease them.
Use them to show changes of time or place; also to distinguish narration from dialogue.
Understand the written words and read them with expression that fully brings out the meaning.
When Paul wrote to the Galatians he used clear, emotional, and intensely personal language.
The apostle does not write a cold theological treatise but a warm person-to-person letter full of loving concern tinged with some taut phrases. He is obviously deeply affected by their actions.
To read Galatians with unawareness or without appreciation of these built-in emotions, is to rob the listener of the true meaning of the epistle.