title: How to correctly specify SSML in an Alexa Skill lambda function?
body: <p>I am trying to make an Alexa skill where Alexa says something that has been marked up with SSML. I have tried to mimic the example in this <a href="https://github.com/amzn/alexa-skills-kit-js/tree/master/samples/wiseGuy/src" rel="noreferrer">repo</a>, but I am always receiving a lambda response of</p>
  
  <pre><code>{
    ...
    "response": {
      "outputSpeech": {
        "type": "SSML",
        "ssml": "&lt;speak&gt; [object Object] &lt;/speak&gt;"
      },
    ...
  }
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>and Alexa literally says "object object".</p>
  
  <hr>
  
  <p>This is what I input to my lambda function (using node.js):</p>
  
  <pre><code>var speechOutput = {
      type: "SSML",
      ssml: 'This &lt;break time=\"0.3s\" /&gt; is not working',
  };
  
  this.emit(':tellWithCard', speechOutput, SKILL_NAME, "ya best not repeat after me.")
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Setting speechOutput like this also isn't working:</p>
  
  <pre><code>var speechOutput = {
      type: "SSML",
      ssml: 'This &lt;break time=\"0.3s\" /&gt; is not working',
  };
  </code></pre>
  
  <p><hr>
  EDIT:</p>
  
  <p><strong>index.js</strong></p>
  
  <p>'use strict';</p>
  
  <pre><code>var Alexa = require('alexa-sdk');
  
  var APP_ID = "MY_ID_HERE";
  var SKILL_NAME = "MY_SKILL_NAME";
  
  exports.handler = function(event, context, callback) {
      var alexa = Alexa.handler(event, context);
      alexa.APP_ID = APP_ID;
      alexa.registerHandlers(handlers);
      alexa.execute();
  };
  
  var handlers = {
      'LaunchRequest': function () {
          this.emit('Speaketh');
      },
      'MyIntent': function () {
          this.emit('Speaketh');
      },
      'Speaketh': function () {
          var speechOutput = {
              type: "SSML",
              ssml: 'This &lt;break time=\"0.3s\" /&gt; is not working',
          };
  
          this.emit(':tellWithCard', speechOutput, SKILL_NAME, "some text here")
      }
  };
  </code></pre>
  
  <p><strong>Anyone have any idea where I'm going wrong?</strong></p>