Its not what you say, Its How you Say It
I teach singing, not psychology; therefore I cannot tell you what to say to make your point, but I do wish to impress upon you, most emphatically, that what you say is rarely half as important as how you say it!
Consider the matter of inflection and tone color, for example, in the little word "yes":
We can say "yes" crisply, implying that we are alert, and in rather an aggressive mood.
We can say "yes" gently, implying kindness and sympathy.
We can say "yes" laughingly, with a "don’t try to fool me" intonation.
We can say "yes?" with an upward inflection suggesting doubt.
We can drawl "yes" with a "don’t bother me" suggestion; and by drawling with upward inflection we can suggest innumerable degrees of disbelief, suspicion, and resentment. (Try it!)
"Yes" in a low tone of voice may say, "All right, but I still don’t agree with you."
"Yes" with a high inflection expresses joy and happiness. "Yes," loudly says, "I am certain; I am convinced."
"!Yes" very softly indicates doubt and uncertainty.
You see what can be done with one small, three-letter word; yet every word we utter can be subjected to such variation of tone and meaning.
The actors and actresses of the stage and screen are enjoyed, primarily, because of the illusion of "naturalness" which they convey. Yet we know that they are not being "natural" when they are portraying a role; they are acting, and in acting the voice is of paramount importance. A man may be garbed in rags, but if he speaks with a cultivated voice we consider him a well-bred person. On the other hand, a woman may be swathed in sables, but if she has a vulgar voice it stamps her instantly as a common, uncultured person. And since this is as true in real life as it is on the stage, it behooves every one of us to mind his P’s and Q’s of speech, and to give the best impression possible. The principles of good speech are the same, whether employed for business, social conversation, or on the public speaker’s rostrum. These principles are correct tone placement, good diction, and precise, clean-cut enunciation.