Communicate with Your Language, Body, and Voice Chapter Twelve Communicate with Your Language, Body, and Voice

Main Ideas in the Chapter Use the Power of Your Words Support Your Message with Your Body Support Your Message with Your Voice

#1 – Use the Power of Your Words Be inclusive. Inclusive language acts as a bridge to an audience, increasing your chances of making a connection.

#1 – Use the Power of Your Words Noninclusive language relies on negative stereotypes, derogatory remarks, or offensive terms. Acts as a barrier Pushes audience away Makes listeners feel inferior

#1 – Use the Power of Your Words Barriers to communication Sexism Racism Heterosexism Religion Age Occupation Physical features

#1 – Use the Power of Your Words Is slang appropriate? It depends on: The occasion The audience The speaker The slang

#1 – Use the Power of Your Words Avoid obscene language. Occasionally, obscenities may serve a purpose in specific speaking contexts. Using big or cultural vocabulary words is acceptable when: They are used for the right reason They are defined as needed They are used with sensitivity to the audience

#1 – Use the Power of Your Words Accuracy affects how audiences perceive your competence. If you catch an error, go back and correct it.

#1 – Use the Power of Your Words Be grammatically correct. Use adjectives and adverbs correctly. Beware of incorrect word choices. Avoid improper pronoun placement. Make sure your words are, in fact, real words. Pronounce words correctly. Be personable.

#2 – Support Your Message with Your Body Defining nonverbal communication Communication without words Listeners attach meaning to how a speaker moves.

#2 – Support Your Message with Your Body Make eye contact. Allows you to read your audience for feedback Can reduce excess speaker’s energy

#2 – Support Your Message with Your Body Use facial expressions Don’t try to choreograph facial expressions When appropriate, a smile helps connect with the audience

#2 – Support Your Message with Your Body Be aware of your posture. Stand if you can. If using a lectern, stand behind or next to it. Avoid distracting movements.

#2 – Support Your Message with Your Body Use gestures. Emblems Illustrators Gestures are often influenced by: Personality Message

#2 – Support Your Message with Your Body Consider your physical distance—or proxemics. Determined by the room Accentuated by physical barriers Accentuated by elevation Affected by movement during the presentation

#3 – Support Your Message with Your Voice Emotional tone Employ a tone of confidence, friendliness, openness, and respect.

#3 – Support Your Message with Your Voice Volume Consider the speaking space. Watch the ends of your sentences. Consider using a microphone.

#3 – Support Your Message with Your Voice Speech flow The silent pause Verbal junk Articulation Pitch and inflection Pace