Alexis Irazoque, M.S., CCC-SLP
Do you ever find yourself rambling during conversations, or struggling to get to the point during a work meeting? You're not alone! Many people tend to over-explain or lose focus when they’re speaking.
Luckily, there are ways to cut down on wordiness and make your speech more crisp and concise. Read on for expert tips from speech therapists on how to avoid rambling and speak with precision.
Why do people ramble when they talk?
People tend to be wordy when they aren’t sure what point they’re trying to make. Nervousness can kick in, and rather than pausing to collect their thoughts, they keep talking, hoping the message will come together. Without a clear point, this can lead to rambling and unfocused speech.
When people are unsure, they may also use unnecessary details or filler words (such as “um” or “you know”) to fill the silence. They’re trying to make their speech sound more meaningful. But this can backfire, actually making their message less impactful.
Why should you avoid wordiness?
Being concise is important in both personal and professional communication. As Albert Einstein famously said, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” When you're in a job interview or trying to make your case during a meeting, getting to the point clearly and quickly is key to being understood and respected.
Having a clear point allows you to guide conversations in a productive direction. For example, in a job interview, your main point could be: "I can help this company achieve its goals." From there, everything you say should support that point, making you sound focused and competent.
5 tips to help you stop rambling and get to the point
Communication experts like speech therapists recommend these techniques to avoid wordiness when speaking:
1 Use pausing
Adding pauses between your ideas is one of the most effective ways to cut down on rambling. Pauses give you time to think about what you'll say next. They also allow your listener to process the information you’re sharing.
Don’t wait until you’re out of breath to pause. Instead, pause naturally between ideas to break your message into chunks. For example, instead of rushing through a sentence like “Once we hear back from the client let’s meet to discuss next steps,” try pausing between the two thoughts: “Once we hear back from the client…let’s meet to discuss next steps.” This technique helps listeners follow along more easily and ensures you’re not overwhelming them with too much information at once.
2 Practice verbal formulation
Verbal formulation is the process of mentally picturing what you want to say and planning it out before speaking. It’s like giving directions to a destination. First, you picture where you are and the route to get there. Then, you break the directions down step-by-step so the person can follow them.
When you take a moment to visualize your message, your brain has time to organize your thoughts and find the clearest way to express them. Pausing to formulate allows the right side of your brain to create the mental image, and the left side to find the best words to explain it.
Verbal formulation is especially helpful in high-pressure situations like interviews or Q&A sessions, where you need to stay focused and clear.
3 Go back to your point
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you might still find yourself rambling or getting off track. When that happens, don’t panic! You can easily steer the conversation back by using transitions like "My point is this..." or "Here’s what I’m trying to say..." These phrases are like hitting the brakes and getting back on course. They signal to both you and your listener that you're returning to the main idea, helping to refocus the conversation.
4 Try not to use filler words
Filler words, such as “um,” “like,” and “you know,” can sneak into your speech when you’re nervous or thinking on the fly. While it’s normal to use them occasionally, too many filler words can make you sound unsure of yourself and take away from your message.
To decrease the use of filler words, practice slowing down and pausing instead of filling silence with “ums” and “uhs.” This will make you sound more confident and intentional in your speech.
If you do catch yourself using a filler word, stop and take a breath. That pause can help break the habit and give you time to think of the next thing to say without relying on unnecessary words.
5 Practice active listening
One of the reasons people ramble is because they feel the need to fill every moment with their own words. Practicing active listening can help. Instead of focusing on what you’ll say next, fully engage with what the other person is saying. Respond thoughtfully and directly to their points rather than going off on unrelated tangents. By becoming a better listener, you can better tailor your responses and keep the conversation flowing in a more focused and productive direction.
How speech therapy can help you speak more precisely
If you struggle with rambling or making your point, a speech therapist can help you develop the skills to speak more clearly and effectively. You don’t need to have a diagnosed speech or language problem to benefit from speech therapy. Speech therapists work with adults who want to improve their communication skills in various settings, including at work and in social situations.
Speech therapy can teach you techniques for organizing your thoughts, using strategic pauses, and formulating your speech to enhance your communication. Whether you're dealing with a fear of public speaking, want to feel more confident in social conversations, or need to work on your professional communication, an experienced speech therapist can guide you through personalized strategies for success.
If you're interested in improving your communication skills, schedule a free consultation call to talk with one of our specialists. In speech therapy, you can learn techniques to speak with clarity, confidence, and focus, no matter the situation.
