| By Tara Shekouri |
Body language is a strong method of communication that can either enhance or weaken the impact of spoken words during a presentation. A significant aspect of communication is non-verbal, implying that how you present yourself can be just as impactful as what you say. For example, standing up straight, doing hand gestures, using facial expressions, and making eye contact all convey positive body language—allowing you to seem passionate and credible about your subject matter to your audience. As well, the presentation comes off as more engaging and interesting to the audience. However, slouching or avoiding eye contact, for example, can signal unpreparedness and a lack of confidence which can consequentially draw attention away from your message
Posture almost sets the tone for your presentation. Standing straight not only ensures that you appear more confident, but makes you feel more in control, which may help to reduce some stress. As well, good posture allows you to seem approachable and open to your audience—encouraging them to take part by asking questions as well as being generally receptive and drawn to what you are sharing. Although, you do want to move around a bit and be fluid, such as by taking a few steps as you transition in between points and leaning slightly to your right or left to emphasize some points. Doing so can make the presentation more expressive and show a natural flow.
In combination with standing straight and applying some movement, hand gestures make the speech feel more dynamic and gives you the power to emphasize the major points that you want your audience to retain from the presentation. Furthermore, they can be used to symbolize, size, shape, direct, and intensify—depending on your topic and the purpose of your presentation. For example, say an idea is difficult to articulate through words; you can use hand movements to visualize it to the audience for a more profound understanding.
Your face is one of the most versatile and useful tools for engaging your audience through both facial expressions and eye contact. For example, a smile can show self-assurance, friendliness, and warmth—creating a positive and welcoming space for learning—while a frown can demonstrate doubt, dissatisfaction, or even irritation. Though, it is crucial to note that smiling is not universally suitable and could contradict your message if your point involves heavy themes such as loss, conflict, isolation, addiction, etc. In these cases, using facial expressions that reflect empathy, concern, or solemnity such as slight furrowed brows are more suitable. (Still, avoid heavy frowns!)
Therefore, body language plays a pivotal role in shaping how your audience interprets your message and your level of credibility. From posture, to gestures, and facial expressions, each element contributes to building a sense of connection with your listeners and solidifying the points you want to emphasize. Mastering these non-verbal cues not only contributes to making your presentation more captivating in the moment, but also improves your ability to communicate effectively to leave a resonant effect on your audience.
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