Module 3 • Activity 2

My Assertive Voice

Practise a response that protects your own choice while still respecting the other person.

My response

0/4 steps

Step 1

Choose one pressure situation

Pick one example that feels realistic. You can also describe your own.

A friend pressures you to do something that feels uncomfortable. Someone makes a joke that does not feel acceptable to you. Friends expect you to agree even though you do not. Someone keeps pushing after you have already said “maybe” or “no.”

Or make the situation more specific

Step 2

Build your assertive response

Complete the three parts. Your response will build automatically below.

I feel...

...when...

...so I am going to...

My response

Complete the three parts above to build your response.

Step 3

Check your Assertive Voice Meter

Read your response as if you were saying it to another person. Where does it sit on the scale?

My response sounds...

The goal is not the highest number. A useful assertive response usually sits around 3–4: clear enough to protect your choice, but still respectful.

1 Too quiet My choice is hard to hear. 2 Unsure I sound hesitant. 3 Clear My choice is understandable. 4 Clear + respectful My boundary is clear without attacking. 5 Too harsh I may sound blaming or aggressive.

Choose the point that best matches your response.

Step 4

Give your response a quick check

A strong assertive response usually does these three things.

It clearly expresses how I feel or what I need. It clearly states my choice or boundary. It avoids insulting, blaming or attacking the other person.

How confident would you feel saying it aloud?

1 Not very confident 2 A little confident 3 Confident 4 Very confident

Want to adjust it?

Voice Check

Your response may be a little too quiet.

Try making the choice or boundary more direct. You do not need to apologise for having a different decision.

Voice Check

This is close to an assertive response.

Your choice can be clear while the tone stays respectful. It does not need to sound perfect — only realistic enough to use.

Voice Check

Your message may be stronger than it needs to be.

Keep the boundary, but see whether you can remove blame or attack from the wording.

If This Is Hard

You do not always need a full explanation. A short boundary can be enough.

“I’m not comfortable with that, so I’m choosing something else.”

My Assertive Voice

My response plan

Situation

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My assertive response

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Voice meter

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Confidence

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My revised version

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Clear does not have to mean aggressive. I can protect my choice and still respect the other person.

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