THE LANGUAGE OF THE BODY

How would different non-verbal cues change the dynamics and meaning of each communication? For instance, what if Andrew's boss hadn't immediately closed the door? What if he'd been smiling? Obviously, Andrew would be less worried about the impending conversation because his boss would be communicating non-verbally that everything was fine.

Just as in everyday speech, non-verbal messages are an important part of the overall message. In today's lesson, we'll be talking about how your physical presentation can enhance or detract from what you're saying.

MORE THAN WORDS

So far we've been mainly discussing the way your speech sounds, but non-verbal communication also plays an important role in how your message is received.

Depending on the venue and the size of your audience, you may have to use a variety of non-verbal techniques. For example, if you're giving the keynote address at this year's realtors conference in the main ballroom, you won't be able to make eye contact with the folks at the back table, but if you're image is being projected on a screen, you can make eye contact with the camera, making those in the back feel a connection with you.

When deciding what non-verbal communication to add to your speech, consider:

• Proximity to the audience

• Available technology, such as microphones, projectors, and screens

• Which words, phrases, or passages of your speech are best to emphasize

The success of your speech depends on non-verbal communication, also known as physical delivery. Elements of physical delivery include:

• Gestures

• Facial expressions

• Body language

• Appearance

• Volume

• Eye Contact

Read on to learn more about the elements individually and learn how you can use them to your advantage when delivering your speech.

Gestures

Gestures are the movements of your hands, arms, and head while you're speaking, and we all use them to some degree. In fact, gestures are an important part of non-verbal communication, and you can use them to enhance your message.

According to this article (which we want you to read), the most popular TED speakers used an average of 465 hand gestures per minute, while the least popular used only 272.

As you read, consider how the writer answers the questions she poses at the beginning of the article:

• Why are hand gestures so important?

• What are the most popular hand gestures?

• How can everyone use their hand gestures to go viral?

Facial Expressions

There are thousands of facial expressions, but using the wrong ones can confuse and befuddle your audience. Facial expressions should be authentic, however, so experts recommend not thinking too closely about producing your expression so much as allowing it to flow naturally from your words and message. Chuckle when you say something funny. Raise an eyebrow when you say something curious.

Body Language

Read this article from Forbes about how body language affects how your speech is perceived by others.

As you read, think about how you would answer the following questions:

• What do individual reports about "power poses" suggest about how our posture affects our confidence in public speaking situations?

• How does body language affect how the audience receives the message?

• What's the problem with focusing too much of the conscious mind on body language?

Appearance

In Hamlet, Polonius unleashes a litany of advice on his son, Laertes, as he prepares to leave for school. Polonius cautions Laertes that, "the apparel oft proclaims the man."

In other words, our clothing and outward appearance tell the world a lot about who we are.

A public speaking engagement is an opportunity for you to show people who you really are, and it's also an occasion for you to connect with others. When considering how to dress and groom for a public speaking appearance, consider the following:

• What style of dress shows respect for the occasion and the audience? You typically wouldn't show up to a wedding barefoot…but you might forgo the footwear if the wedding's on the beach and everyone else is barefoot. Consider the occasion and how others might be dressed when selecting your wardrobe.

• What style of dress honors your character, identity, and sense of style? Whatever your background or identification, use your clothing and appearance to be your authentic self.

Volume

As we've discussed in previous lessons, you'll need to adjust your volume according to the size of the venue, the number of people in the audience, and the technology available.

You should also be varying your volume throughout your speech as well. As you practice, notice places in your text when speaking at a louder volume might help emphasize a main or important point. You might also strategically speak more softly in order to get your audience to listen up or to convey a serious tone.

Eye contact

Eye contact is one of the most important means of non-verbal communication because it's one way to connect with individual audience members. In larger venues, you can't make eye contact with everyone, but you can look at people in the first few rows or, if there's a camera, you can look straight into the lens.

For more expert advice on why eye contact is so important and how to use it to your advantage, read this article from Lifehacker.

More Than Words

As important as the words of your speech may be, your body language, physical presentation and non-verbal communication can either enhance or detract from your speech. When you're practicing in front of others, make sure you solicit feedback on these aspects of your delivery.