Identifying Presentation Speech Verbal Fillers using SCREEN Mnemonic

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🎤 Verbal Speech Fillers: The SCREEN Framework for Cleaner Communication

When we speak spontaneously — especially in presentations, meetings, or high-pressure conversations — certain verbal habits creep in. These habits are not random. They follow patterns.

The SCREEN framework helps you identify and manage the most common types of Verbal Speech Fillers — so you can speak with greater clarity, confidence, and executive presence.

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🧠 SCREEN: A Diagnostic Tool for Speech Clarity

S — Stretch Words

These are words that get unnecessarily elongated while the speaker is thinking.

Examples:

• “Sooooo…”

• “Wellllll…”

• “Actuallyyyyy…”

Stretching buys thinking time — but it signals hesitation.

🔎 Psychology Insight: Stretch words are a form of speech disfluency, a natural interruption in fluent speech caused by cognitive processing delay. As described in Speaking: From Intention to Articulation by Willem J. M. Levelt, speech production is a rapid mental process where formulation and articulation happen almost simultaneously. When formulation lags, stretching appears.

📌 Cleaner Alternative:
Replace stretch words with a confident pause.

Types of Funny Irony Figure of Speech Words with Examples List

Here is a list of funny situational and verbal irony figure of speech that has happened in my everyday real life:-

Funny Irony Figure of Speech Examples

I was reading this “10 tips to build good relationship with your wife” and the fourth tip said “listen to her, people love people who listen, so, listen to her very actively looking into her eyes and acknowledge her views” while I was reading this sentence she was actually yelling at me saying “This is the fourth time I’m telling you to go and buy some milk for our kid”

I yelled at 5 of my friends who called me while I was reading the book "how to make friends and keep them all through the life"

I have just started reading "how to stop worrying and start living". But I'm little worried if I will be able to complete it.

Types of Apathy Words, Phrases, Sentences and Statements with Examples List

Life Skills > Interpersonal Intelligence > Empathy >

Apathy, also called apathetic or apathic, is one kind of emotion. It is still argumentative whether the opposite of apathy is sympathy or empathy. Let us take an example to understand apathy. Imagine, Your brother rushes into your room, with nervousness and panic, says, "Bro, there is a snake, a cobra, in my room." The way you reach to this situation can be broadly classified into apathy, empathy and sympathy. You say,

Apathy Sentences, Examples and Definition

1. You are apathetic if you say, "I don't care, why are telling this to me. Go tell your dad about it. I working on an important office assignment."
2. You are sympathetic if you say, "Ho bro, how scary, I'm sorry to hear that, God should help you" 
3. You are empathetic if you say, "I can see your panic, be bold, come, let's go and see what could be done, let me help you."

None of these behavior is neither right or wrong as it depends on the situation. In fact, you show apathy for several reasons such as it does not concern you, your personal values differs from others, you are not affected by the situation, you have not gone through a similar situation in your life. 

If you have not gone through certain life situations you become apathetic. For example, if you do not know how it pains when there is a cut in the finger using a knife unless you experience this situation. Generally, kids and children are apathic in several situations that adults feel sensitive. That's because, children have not gone through that particular situation. For example, you child will not know how you feel about broken relationship as your kid have never experienced it. So classifying apathy as, "Bad" is being judgemental. 

Team Building Icebreaker Game Brainstorming Debriefing Questions with Examples List

Life Skills > Interpersonal Intelligence > 

Mnemonics are one of the best memorization techniques to recall and remember information. And, BREAD mnemonic is a simple memory trick, which takes only few minutes to memorize, to hint the trainer on how to organize any indoor or outdoor training games and activities.

BREAD mnemonic summarizes how to conduct sales training icebreaker games for facilitators and it stands for:

Debrief Questions Examples

• Brief
• Rules (AEIOU- Range, Rehearse, Risks, Rounds, Rules)
  
• Range
• Rehearse
• Engage
• Extend the time (If required)
• Answers
• Debrief

Icebreaker Introductions Require a Formal Briefing: While briefing, training facilitators tell the name of the game, description of the game, and how to play the game. Briefing helps the participants to understand the nature of the game.

Even a Simple Icebreaker must have Rules: A professional facilitator always writes down the rules of the game clearly with all the dos' and don'ts of a training game or activity so that the confusion is avoided while playing the activity.

Types of Funny Antithesis Sentences Figure of Speech Examples List

Life Skills > Interpersonal Intelligence > 

Antithesis is putting two contrasting ideas in a statement or sentence. Here is a list of antithesis sentences examples in form of funny statements and jokes: There are different types of antithesis:

1. Anthithesis with one opposite in a sentence 2. two opposites 3 three or more opposites

• A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feels so good.
• A holiday is a day a man stops doing what his boss wants and starts doing what his wife wants
• Committee: A body that keeps minutes and wastes hours
• Credit cards have made buying easier and paying harder

Verbal Rapport Building Statements and Questions in Coaching with Examples List

Life Skills > Interpersonal Intelligence > 

To build rapport is one of the vital life skills and develop it you need both intrapersonal and interpersonal skills. It is useful both during selling and empathy building

Rapport Building Statements Examples

Rapport Building Definition

Building a trustful and understanding relationship during any conversation is called Rapport Building.
Rapport building skills can be broadly divided into Two Types: Making statements and asking questions are the two most commonly used rapport building techniques during selling.

Some of the basic rapport building phrases can be
summarized using a simple mnemonic, PASTE:-

• Please
• I Agree
• I'm Sorry
• Thank You
• Excuse Me

Common Rapport Building Statements Include:

Types of Assertive Behaviour with Real Life Examples List

Here is a list of empathy statements for customer service representatives, call center agents who'd like to show empathy over phone, email or in person during various business scenarios:

Visual

Assertive Behavior Real Life Examples

It includes body language, actions and behavior that you possess to customers:

• I can see that you're looking for someone, can I help you?
• I can show to you how to operate this device.
• Do you need some more demonstrations/illustrations on this product?
• That's fine, I will be with you, assist you until the entire process is completed

Voice

Difference between Mnemonic, Acronym, Acrostic, Abbreviation, and Initial with Examples List

Life Skills > Intrapersonal Intelligence > Mnemonic Devices

Effective information management is one of the vital elements of human relationship skills. Sometimes, it is inevitable that you have to rely on your memory either to remember the names of others, or to recall the likes and dislikes of others in order persuade or empathize others. Mnemonics, acronyms, acrostics, abbreviations and initials are some of the common creative memory aids to remember any information. However, you should know the difference between these terms in order to use them effectively.

Difference Acronym, Acrostic,

Mnemonic, Abbreviation, Initial

1. Acronym

1.1 Acronym Definition/Meaning

A word formed from the first letters of other words.

1.2 Acronym Examples List

Sales:- KISS-Keep It Short and Sweet.
AIDA - Attention, Interest, Desire, Action.
AIDS: Acquired Immuno Defiency Syndrome.
SARS – (a) Severe acute respiratory syndrome.

List of One Word Positive Compliments for Boys and Girls with Real Life Examples

Life Skills > Interpersonal Intelligence > 

Effective interpersonal communication skills is one of the eight vital elements of interpersonal life coaching skills and giving and receiving compliments, even in just one word, is the signification part of communication intelligence.In one sense, compliments for good work can be divided into two types

• Tangible (something that can be seen and felt)
• Non-tangible (something that can only be sensed

Examples of Compliments that are Tangible include:

• You are looking gorgeous with that blue dress today.
• The interior decoration of your home has an international appeal.
• Color of your presentation slides are very thematic. Keep it up.

List of Causative Sentences Verbs in English with Examples

Simply put, causatives are those verbs that cause people, or equipment to do things. To be more precise, in a causative, a person does not do an action directly. The person causes it to happen by making another person to do it. It is yet another set of function words, also called structure words.

Causative verbs list can be recalled using Let God Make us Healthy and Happy mnemonic:-

1. Let

   

   List of Causative Verbs Examples

2. Get
3. Make
4. Have
5. Help

Read more examples of Causative verbs in English.

Examples of Causative Sentences using Let Verb:

With Let, a person gives permission for another person to do an action.

1. His father let her go to cinema.
2. I am letting this equipment cool.
3. My dad let me use his motorcycle.
4. Would you let us to watch the movie?

Examples of Causative Sentences using Get Verb:

1. I want to get the house painted before summer.
2. We will have to get someone to fix the dishwasher right away.
3. Let us get some more exchanged for dollars.
4. Let us get our car fixed first.

Interpersonal Value Conflicts Everyday Real Life Examples List

Life Skills > Interpersonal Intelligence > 

Language functions is one of the elements of interaction skills and PASTE in a simple mnemonic that helps to remember some nice words. Use of polite words and kind phrases are some of the vital interpersonal skills. Interpersonal Value Conflicts Everyday Real Life Examples List as follows

PASTE summarizes list of polite kind words and phrases and it stands for:

Interpersonal Values Conflict Examples

1. Please
2. I Agree
3. Sorry
4. Thank you
5. Excuse me

Values Conflict Examples - Real Life Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Situations

 

Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Values Conflict Examples and Resolution using SPINE Acronym

Communicate during Conflict – SPINE

Humans communicate within themselves and with others for two vital reasons; 1) To persuade and to get persuaded 2) To lead themselves and others. Intrapersonal and interpersonal skills are the two most important human relations skills. SPINE, is a simple mnemonic device that helps to recall the conflict resolution strategy by using verbal communication skills as a vital tool to resolve conflict with self and others.

Resolving interpersonal conflict using SPINE acronym that stands for:-

Silence
Passives
Intermission
Negative statements
Emotion

One of the ways to resolve value conflicts is to use right words, phrases and statements at the right time.

Four Basic Types of value Conflicts

Funny Real Life Anecdotes and Short Stories Examples List

 Food

I thought, to succeed in life, I've to work hard but it's not true. Sometimes not working hard brings success. Last evening, at a shopping mall, after eating a sweet corn, a small piece of it got stuck inside, between the inner set of my teeth. As this piece was so annoying, I struggled to remove it. First, using the tip of my tongue, I tried pushing the piece upwards, downwards and sideways, but instead of coming out, it got settled even more deeply. So, I decided to try an indecent method; looked around to ensure public is not watching me, I put two of my fingers in my mouth to pull the piece out. But, unfortunately my fingers are not small enough to hold such a small piece. I got frustrated but didn't give up. I borrowed a safety pin from one of my family members, insert it between two teeth but later realized that I'm poking the pin between the gap that is just one tooth away from where the corn piece is actually stuck. Blood came out! not the corn piece! At one point, because of so much effort, my mouth started paining, my tongue dropped, one tooth got wounded, the safety pin bent, and I became tired and gave up. After several hours, the corn piece politely come out of my teeth by itself, settling in the middle of my tongue. That MOMENT! the MOMENT of relief, joy, and freedom. But guess what? to celebrate this happiness, I bite, cut that corn piece into further smaller pieces and ate them ALL!

Things/Objects 

I'm very happy that the CDs are now replaced with pen drives. I still remember, one of those days, I dropped a CD, by accident, on the floor and when I tried to pick it using one of my one fingers, it slowly started sliding sticking to the floor, instead of getting picked. So, I struggled, use all my 3-4-5 fingers, other hand's fingers, use palms, only to see the CD slide even faster and faster. I got fed up, but came up with a strategy; I thought, I'll slide the CD, take it to one corner of the wall, get grip by pressing the CD against the wall, insert my finger nail along the sides of the CD and pick it. Guess what happened when I did this? Earlier it was sliding across the floor, and now it is sliding, slipping along CORNER the wall. At one point, I gave up and took help of my brother. To my shock, instead of picking the CD, he continued sliding the CD from where I left, covering the other portions of the floor and corners of the wall around the house. That's when I seek God, "Oh god, isn't there a solution AT ALL for this?" Puff...."Pendrive!"

 

Marriage

I had been to one of my close relative's marriage last evening. In the marriage hall, I had to smile at many strangers whom I don't even know. For instance, my wife.

Marriages are made in heaven. why don't these couples also make kids in heaven itself so that the earth is saved from over population? I shouldn't be talking about it, though.

My 4 year old son is upset with me. Last evening, while glacing through my marriage photo album, he realized that he is not in it, he said, "Dad, I am upset because you never invited me for your marriage". I said, "Don't worry, I will invite you next time when I get married." He, "Do that, otherwise I will never talk to you"

My three year old son doesn’t seem to understand the concept of marriage. He thinks marriage is all about getting gifts. Recently, we had been to a marriage and he saw the couples getting big boxes of gifts. He turned towards me and said, “Dad, shall we get married? After marriage give all toy gifts to me”

There are certain things in life that are beyond human possibilities. Last evening I was watching my marriage ceremony recorded video. No matter how much I rewind, it stops right on the day of the marriage.

After Marriage, I had two options in life. 1) Be quiet 2) Be quiet. Though, initially, I had tough time choosing one of the above generous options, after serious considerations I opted for the second because the first option is little difficult to live by.

I came across a self-book titled "This book will change your life" and I didn't buy it as my life has already changed after marriage. I can't undergo another catastrophic change in such a short span.

Friends

Next time, I'd better not invite my friends home when my 4 year old son is around. Recently, I had invited one of friends and he was astonished looking at my book shelf. He said, "Sridhar, you have a great collection of books". Even before I could respond to his appreciation, my son interrupted, "But he never reads any of those books".

Today is my birthday and I started my day with an embarrassment. One of the my friends called me in the morning to wish me happy birthday but I was in the toilet. So, my son picked the call. My son, "Hello", My friend, "Can I talk to Sridhar. I like to wish him", My son, "He is in the toilet.", My Friend, "When can I call him back?", My Son, "Call him after one hour because he usually takes really long time to come out of the toilet."

I have some friends who curse interestingly. This guy cursed me last evening "May all the hair on your head fall but one and let that one hair grow grey"

I wish I knew mind reading, especially to read my 3 year old son and his friends’s mind. Last evening, I was watching TV, someone poked me from behind; I turned around, and I saw my son and his other five friends sitting with absolutely no expression on their faces. I wish I knew mind reading.

I yelled at 5 of my friends who called me while I was reading the book "how to make friends and keep them all through the life"

I'd better not help my friends anymore. Today, I was inside the office elevator and one of my friend was approaching to get inside the lift. With an intention of keeping the elevator door open, I pressed the close-the-door button. The door closed even earlier than the usual time it was supposed to take.

I'm going to return all the questions of my 4 year old son to himself when he grows up and see how he manages to answer these type of questions. Last evening, "Dad, will you buy me fish and chicken to eat because my friends suggested it is tasty and delicious?", I, "Son, we are vegetarians; fish and chicken are non-vegetarian food", He, "That's ok. buy vegetarian fish and vegetarian chicken"

My friend wants to lose weight. He had a small apple in the morning. He was so proud about it and celebrated his achievement by having a massive three course heavy meal in the afternoon.

One of my friend has this amazing skill of Being able to drive and refold a road map at the same time.

The only girl who is always friendly with me is the one who guides me in the elevator. she is always kind enough to say "first floor", "third floor", "ground floor". And the best part is, my wife can't stop her by saying "stop talking to my husband"

Yesterday, I curiously told a lengthy joke to my friend only to realize that he was the person who told me this joke a week ago. Thanks to my memory.

A friend of mine has a peculiar memory power. He remembers everything about a person except their names. I met him last evening and he goes, 'hey...s...well, how is your new role at office suresh.? Sorry sandesh.? Sorry about that, i know that your name starts with 's' but....'

Festivals/Events

Personally, if you ask, I wouldn't prefer bursting crackers on a Diwali for a simple reason; I'm SCARED and I get hurt! I still remember, those Diwali days of my childhood, when I was about to burst my first atom bomb. That day, I gained courage, had a clear plan on how to burst this atom bomb. I said to myself, "Keep the cracker in the middle of the road, lit it with Agarbathi (usually used to lit Crackers), run on your RIGHT direction into the house, wait for the cracker to burst". So, I kept the cracker on the road, when I tried to touch the tip of the cracker's fuse, because of nervousness and fear, my hand was insanely shaking, and the agarbathi goes left, right, up, down and around the cracker's fuse(tip) but not at the fuse. During this circus, without my knowledge, the atom bomb got lit somehow. That's when my right brain said, "Ok, it's lit, run to your RIGHT direction as per the plan", my nervous middle brain, "But, which is the right direction? I'm little confused" my left brain, "Bro, what is important, directions or your LIFE?", so I ran for LIFE in all directions, stood in a place, closed my ears tightly using my hands, instructed all the passing vehicles, walking pedestrians and everybody around to stop for a while, though one street dog didn't listen to my instructions. It casually walked past the cracker with a matured smiling face that actually meant, "I don't know when you humans would get some courage in life and above all, the cracker is actually not lit at all!" However, all of us patiently waited for sometime and realized that the DOG was actually right. Everybody was upset but I didn't lose hope, I went close to the cracker, inch by inch, still thinking, "What if it bursts?" and then, this time, I actually lit the cracker, ran away, and waited closing both my ears tightly with my hands. The cracker bursted but along with the smoke that is spreading from the atom bomb, I was shocked to see some smoke from my behind too. Guess what? when I tried closing my ears with my hands, the agarbathi's fire lit tip, which was still in my hand, was making tiny holes in my brand new Diwali shirt and was politely burning my shoulder. My dad inspects and says, "Son, we're spending more money buying BURNOL Ointments than buying Diwali crackers."