What term describes the characteristics of the voice that can influence communication effectiveness?

The term that best describes the characteristics of the voice influencing communication effectiveness is paralanguage. Paralanguage refers to the non-verbal elements of communication used to modify meaning and convey emotion. This includes aspects such as pitch, tone, loudness, and the rate of speech. These vocal characteristics play a crucial role in how a message is received and interpreted by the listener.

Paralanguage can convey emotions, attitudes, and emphasis that words alone may not fully express. For instance, a warm and inviting tone can enhance the message of friendliness, while a harsh tone might convey anger or impatience, even if the words spoken are neutral or positive. Therefore, understanding and effectively utilizing paralanguage can significantly improve the clarity and impact of communication.

While rate, tone, and intonation are all important aspects of voice, they fall under the broader umbrella of paralanguage. Each of these elements contributes to voice characteristics, but it is the concept of paralanguage that encompasses the overall influence these features have on communication.