Body Language and Non-Verbal Communication

Body Language Posture or Stance Body Movement Gestures Facial Expressions Eye Contact First Impressions Nervousness

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More than half of all human communication takes place non-verbally.

When you speak in public, your listeners judge you and your message based on what they see and what they hear.

Body Language

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When you present a speech, you send two kinds of messages—while your voice transmits a verbal message, information is also being visually conveyed by your appearance, your manner, and your physical behavior.

Body language is expressed in stance or posture, movements, gestures,facial expressions,and eye contact.

Body Language

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How you position your body when you speak communicates its own set of visual messages to the audience.

Good speaking posture helps you breathe properly and project your voice effectively.

Posture or Stance

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The following constitutes proper speaking stance: Stand straight, but not rigid. Keep your feet apart, one slightly ahead of the

other. Balance your weight evenly on the balls of your feet. Lean forward just a little. Keep your knees straight,

but not locked.

Posture or Stance

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Relax your shoulders, but don’t slouch. Keep your chest up and your stomach in. Keep your head erect and your chin up. Let your arms hang naturally at your sides. Curl your fingers slightly.Your stance should be alert but not stiff,

relaxed but not sloppy.Don’t maintain the same

position throughoutyour speech orpresentation.

Posture or Stance

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Changing your position or location during a speech can: Support and reinforce what you say. Attract your audience’s attention. Lessen your nervousness and relieve physical tension.Your movement from your

seat to the podium orlectern or to face theaudience is the firstopportunity to usebody language.

Body Movement

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To appear confident and eager, walk purposefully to the front of the room with your head up and shoulders back.

Turn and face your audience directly, then begin speaking.

When you’ve finished, return to your seat in the same manner.

Body Movement

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Any movement during your speech should be purposeful:

Avoid rocking, fidgeting, or swaying from side to side, or bouncing up and down on your toes.

Deliver part of your speech from one spot, then move laterally/crosswise to imply transition.

Body Movement

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Step forward or toward the audience to emphasize an important point.

Step backward to indicate you’ve concluded an idea, letting the audience relax and digest what you’ve said.

Use movement to dramatize a specific point. Lead with the foot

nearest yourdestination whenchanging position.

Body Movement

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Although gestures may be made with the head, shoulders, or even the legs and feet, most are made with the hands and arms.

To be effective, gestures should be made above your elbow and away from your body.

Some basic gestures show: Size, weight, shape,

direction, and location. Importance or urgency. Comparison and

contrast.

Gestures

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Gestures can becategorized as:

Descriptive Emphatic Suggestive PromptingTo use gestures effectively: Respond naturally to what you think, feel, and say. Create the conditions for gesturing—not the gesture. Suit the action to the word and the occasion. Make your actions convincing, smooth, and well-timed.

Gestures

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When you speak, your face unwittingly conveys cues about how your listeners are supposed to react or feel.

Your eyes, eye movement, eyebrows, and mouth play vital roles in showing your attitudes and emotions to the audience.

Avoid unconscious or random expressions like licking or biting the lips, tighteningthe jaw, raising thecorners of the mouth,and twitching any partof the face.

Facial Expressions

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Smile broadly to show friendliness or happiness. Show sadness by lowering your eyelids, turning

down your mouth slightly, and bowing your head.

Express surprise or disbeliefby widening your eyes andraising your eyebrows.

Facial Expressions

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After your voice, your eyes are your most powerful tool for communicating.

To use your eyes effectively when speaking:

Know your material. Establish a bond with your listeners. Monitor

visualfeedbackfrom youraudience.

Eye Contact

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Don’t simply gaze around the room, look directly at one person until you finish a thought, then move to another person.

Make eye contact randomly—looking at people at the back of the room as well as those in front.

Be careful that you don’t look at someone too long, makingthat personuncomfortable.

Eye Contact

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When you present a speech, you’ll be judged by the audience based on the initial impression that you make on them.

Your physical appearance, attire, and grooming influences how others judge you.

Be at least as well-dressed as the best-dressed person in the audience.

Don’t wear jewelry thatglitters or jingles whenyou move.

First Impressions

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Part of your first impression is made before you are introduced to begin your speech.

The most crucial part of your presentation is the first minute, especially if you’re not well-known to the audience.

First Impressions

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Being nervous before a speech is healthy because it shows you care about doing well.

Fear in public speaking works on three levels: Mental or psychological Emotional Physical

Nervousness

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To overcome your stage fright: Thoroughly prepare and know your subject. Visualize a successful presentation. Relax before people arrive—exercise. Know the audience and the room. Gain

experience.

Nervousness

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