There have been countless articles about leaving white space on the printed page and in graphical presentations. The brain needs the white space. The eyes need the white space. The text or graphics deserve the white space to make them stand out. To make them special. Noticed. Really observed.

But so do the ears. The same brain that needs visual resting places and focal points needs auditory rest stops. The brain needs time to take in the words you are saying and to process them. This is even more true if you are speaking to an audience from whom English is not their first language. 

Read the commas and periods, so to speak. They are there for a reason. Treat your audience’s ears with respect. And give them some places to catch their breath. This doesn’t mean slow your speaking, but it does mean taking auditory pit stops. So take a breath. Pause. Add some white space to the speaking part of your presentation.