The Power of the Pause: Using SSML Breaks for Dramatic Effect
Praney BehlTLDR:Use <break> tags to add dramatic pauses. Time-based (<break time='500ms'/>) for precision, strength-based (<break strength='strong'/>) for readability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between time and strength breaks?
Time breaks give exact millisecond control for precise timing. Strength breaks use semantic names (weak, medium, strong) that are easier to read and adjust globally.
Can I use too many pauses?
Yes. Over-pausing makes speech feel choppy and artificial. Use pauses at natural breath points—sentence ends, dramatic moments, topic transitions.
Written by
Praney Behl
Founder
Creator of Vois, passionate about making voice production accessible to everyone.
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