1 Speak with Body Language

2 Objectives To learn the value of gestures and body movements as part of a speech. To learn the value of gestures and body movements as part of a speech. To explore the different ways of using body language. To explore the different ways of using body language. To develop a sense of timing and natural, smooth body movement. To develop a sense of timing and natural, smooth body movement. Time: five to seven minutes. Time: five to seven minutes.

3 Seeing is Believing A successful speaker uses words and body language together to convey a message and show sincerity. A successful speaker uses words and body language together to convey a message and show sincerity. Body language includes movement, gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact. Body language includes movement, gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact.

4 Movement When you move around, you display energy and provide variety for the audience. Their eyes and heads follow you as you move from one place to another. When you move around, you display energy and provide variety for the audience. Their eyes and heads follow you as you move from one place to another. Emphasize a point: step toward the audience. Emphasize a point: step toward the audience. Finish a point: step back. Finish a point: step back. Perform actions that you describe. Perform actions that you describe. Avoid: pacing back and forth, rocking, or swaying. Those movements are actually nervous habits and do little to aid your speech. Avoid: pacing back and forth, rocking, or swaying. Those movements are actually nervous habits and do little to aid your speech.

5 Gestures are the most expressive part of body language when you are speaking before an audience. Gestures are the most expressive part of body language when you are speaking before an audience. Gestures involve the use of your hands and arms to illustrate your words. Gestures involve the use of your hands and arms to illustrate your words. Some basic gestures show Some basic gestures show 1. Size, weight, shape, direction, and location. 2. Importance or urgency. 3. Comparison and contrast. Gestures

6 Facial Expression People watch a speaker ’ s face during a speech and take many cues about how they are supposed to react or feel from the looks on your face. People watch a speaker ’ s face during a speech and take many cues about how they are supposed to react or feel from the looks on your face. Your facial expression must be consistent with the feelings or information you are trying to convey. Your facial expression must be consistent with the feelings or information you are trying to convey.

7 Eye Contact When you directly look at people, they believe you care about them. They think you are sincere, credible, friendly, and honest. When you directly look at people, they believe you care about them. They think you are sincere, credible, friendly, and honest. When you speak, look directly at one person until you finish a thought, then move on to another person. When you speak, look directly at one person until you finish a thought, then move on to another person. Avoid: looking repeatedly at the same person, wagging your head from side to side, or moving you head slowly back and forth. Avoid: looking repeatedly at the same person, wagging your head from side to side, or moving you head slowly back and forth. Don ’ t follow a specific pattern. Make random eye contact. Don ’ t follow a specific pattern. Make random eye contact. If the audience is large, pick out one or two people in each section of the room and look directly at each one. If the audience is large, pick out one or two people in each section of the room and look directly at each one.

8 Preparation Select a topic that will give you lots of chances to use body language. Select a topic that will give you lots of chances to use body language. Be sure to rehearse. It takes a lot of practice to make your body language look natural. Be sure to rehearse. It takes a lot of practice to make your body language look natural.