Article overview
WellSaid voices already pause the way a voice actor would — but when you need more control, you can choose exactly where a pause lands and how long it runs.
There are four ways to do this, from a quick nudge in your script to precise, adjustable silence between sections.
Before you get started
- The Pause cue is available on Caruso voices.
Using Punctuation
WellSaid voices pause at punctuation the way a voice actor would — a natural beat, not a mechanical stop. Each mark gives you a different length of pause:
-
,Comma — a short, subtle pause -
…Ellipsis — a long, trailing pause -
.Period — a pause plus a downward inflection, and a good way to split a long sentence in two so the voice knows what to emphasize
Type the mark directly into your script:
After: An interesting question is to ask... how long a line could be drawn, with a typical pencil, before the graphite ran out.
Using the Pause Cue
On Caruso voices, the Pause cue fine-tunes one specific comma or period pause, shorter or longer than its default, without changing your wording.
- Highlight the comma or period you want to adjust.
- Adjust the pause length using the Pause cue in the right sidebar.
Using a New Line
Moving a sentence to a new line adds a slightly longer pause, the way an actor might conclude one paragraph before starting the next. One or two new lines get you that natural paragraph-break pause.
Using a New Section
Punctuation, the Pause cue, and new lines all shape pacing within a section. A new section goes further — it splits your script into two separate pieces of audio, with silence you can control between them.
See Control Pauses Between Sections and Continuous Playback for more.