How to Use Body Language During a Speech
During a speech, body language accounts for more than half of the message that is communicated to the listeners. This alone is enough to highlight the importance of using body language effectively. Words also make a stronger impact when supported with the right facial expressions, gestures, movement, voice, etc. It is for this very reason that learning to use body language effectively during a speech is crucial for any public speaker.
Instructions
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1
Use gestures to make your speech move effective. It is important to use clear and well-defined hand gestures so that they help you to get your message across to your listeners. Use them sparingly, as becoming too animated will result in your audience getting distracted by your gestures.
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2
Facial expressions play a key role in keeping the audience engaged. If used correctly, your expressions will help your listeners by augmenting the meaning of your message. Practice your facial expressions by speaking to yourself in the mirror.
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3
Your voice is your more flexible communication instrument and therefore should be used just as effectively. Use it to emphasise certain points and influence others.
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Claim the space on the stage of floor that has been given to you for your speech. Instead of standing at one place, move around a little. Own the place and treat it like your property. Moving around a little, at a slow pace of course, is a sign of a confident speaker, one who is 100 percent sure of what he is saying.
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5
Be sure to make an eye contact with your audience. Not looking in someone’s eyes while talking to them is a clear sign of lack of confidence and is also considered rude in my instances. You want your audience to listen and take each and every word coming from your mouth seriously, which is why you should make it a point to look right in their eyes. Do not keep staring at the same person throughout the speech.
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6
A confident speaker knows how to use objects on the stage and in his hands to his advantage. Objects can serve the same purpose as hand gestures, i.e. make your point clearer and easy for the audience to understand. Even if you have a remote clicker or a wine glass in your hand, use it to your advantage. Use the object properly instead of getting used by it, with the latter being a common mistake made by inexperienced speakers. Make the use of object to further your message look as natural as possible instead of making it look forced.
