BOSTON (CBS) – It is officially debate season. In fact, WBZ held the first Senate debate of the year with Sen. Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren squaring off Thursday night. But did you know, sometimes it is what the candidates aren’t saying, that is just as important, as what they actually are.

President of the National Communication Association, and Emerson Professor Richard West, says sometimes when you are debating, you want to speak very slowly to “emphasize a point.”

He says both Warren and Brown “explore the whole range of their voice, a hallmark of someone not afraid to convey different messages.”

West also explains how silence can be used quite effectively.

WBZ’S Rod Fritz Reports.

Here’s the full interview with WBZ’S Drew Moholland.

You can hear the WBZ Water Cooler on Saturday at 10:25 AM and 2:25 PM, and Sunday at 2:25 PM, on WBZ NewsRadio 1030.