Avatar UI with Multiple Speaking Actions for Selected Text

In one embodiment, a method includes determining, by a client computing device, that a user has selected text displayed on a display of the client computing device. The method further includes presenting, in response to the determination, a UI element on the display of the client computing device. The UI element includes a plurality of selectable portions, each associated with a distinct speaking action for a 3D avatar to perform with respect to the selected text. In response to the user's selection, the method includes presenting on the display of the client computing device an animation of the 3D avatar performing a speaking action corresponding to the selected portion; and providing, by the client computing device, speech audio synchronized with the speaking action of the animated 3D avatar.