Southwest Airlines Professional Communications Certification Practice Exam

How should a microphone be positioned when speaking?

1. Horizontally at eye level

2. Vertically at your chin

3. Above your head

4. At arm's length

The correct answer is: Vertically at your chin

Positioning a microphone vertically at your chin is the most effective choice when speaking. This positioning allows for optimal sound capture, as it is close enough to the mouth to pick up your voice clearly, while also minimizing background noise. The chin area is generally a good height because your voice naturally projects from this level, capturing the nuances of speech effectively. Additionally, this position helps to avoid plosive sounds—such as 'p' and 'b'—that can occur when speaking directly into the microphone, thus resulting in a cleaner audio quality. Other positions, while they might have their uses in different contexts, can compromise audio quality. Placing the microphone horizontally at eye level can create inconsistencies in volume and clarity, especially if the speaker turns their head. A microphone positioned above the head might lead to a distant and echoic sound as it loses proximity to the source of the voice. Positioning it at arm's length, while it maintains a decent distance from the mouth, may result in too much ambient noise being picked up, reducing clarity and directness. Therefore, positioning the microphone vertically at the chin is the best practice for clear and effective communication.