When emotions are involved, make sure they match your content. Don’t get overly emotional if what you’re saying doesn’t warrant doing so. Keep them laughing and keep it lively.
A little spice and intrigue is always a great method of keeping your audience’s attention but make sure it’s used wisely and not overdone. More is not better in this case.
One of the best ways I discovered how to use timing is to watch Comedy Central. The standup comics are masters at timing. It is a well practiced artist that makes it look easy and seamless.
There is also a great technique called attention grabbers. One type is using an 180 degree view point. I was speaking at a Toastmaster’s club in Concord a few years back and one of the members asked how I got to Concord.
I answered with a straight face, right eyebrow arched, “In my car?” with just a lilt of a question.
The immediate response was laughter. Of course that wasn’t the question that was being asked, but it is a masterful way of lightening the atmosphere and getting people to laugh.