[header] How to fake a cough in school [title] Inhale a big, deep gust of air. [step] Breathe in through your nose for as long as you can. This is key to getting enough " power " behind your cough. 
If you don't take in enough air, you will produce dainty, weak coughs that will not get anyone's attention. [substeps] Take care to breathe in discreetly, so that it doesn't look like you're preparing for the big coughing show.