Body language

Body LanguageMR. RODEL BRYAN C. VALDEZ

INSTRUCTOR

Body Language: Defined

It is a term used to identify the expressions of the face (especially the eyes), the gestures made by the head, shoulders, hands, and other parts of the body.

When to use bodily actions

When one is facilitating adjustment When securing and maintaining the

listener’s interest and attention When clarifying the meaning When emphasizing

Gestures

Why gesture? All good speakers use gestures. Why?

Gestures are probably the most evocative form of nonverbal communication a speaker can employ. No other kind of physical action can enhance your speeches in as many ways as gestures. They:

Clarify and support your words. Gestures strengthen the audience’s understanding of your verbal message.

Dramatize your ideas. Together with what you say, gestures help paint vivid pictures in your listeners’ minds.

Lend emphasis and vitality to the spoken word. Gestures convey your feelings and attitudes more clearly than what you say.

Help dissipate nervous tension. Purposeful gestures are a good outlet for the nervous energy inherent in a speaking situation.

Function as visual aids. Gestures enhance audience attentiveness and retention.

Stimulate audience participation. Gestures help you indicate the response you seek from your listeners.

Are highly visible. Gestures provide visual support when you address a large number of people and the entire audience may not see your eyes.

Conventional Gestures

Clenched Fist (to show determination, anger)

Pointed Finger (to accuse, to caution, to teach)

Palm Upward (a plea, begging); and Palm Downward (to show disdain, to

short stature)

Six Rules in Gestures (O’Bien, 2011)

#1 Respond naturally to what you think, feel, see

It’s natural for you to gesture. It’s unnatural for you not to. If you inhibit your impulse to gesture, you will probably become tense.

#2 Create the condition for gesturing, not the gesture

When you speak, you should be totally involved in communicating – not thinking about your hands. Your gesture must be motivated by the content of your presentation.

#3 Suit the action to the word and the occasion

Every gesture you make should be purposeful and reflective of your words so your audience will note only the effect not the gesture itself.

Don’t overdo gesturing as it may distract your audience.

#4 Make your gestures convincing

Your gestures should be lively and distinct if they are to convey the intended impressions.

Effective gestures should be vigorous enough to be convincing yet slow enough and broad enough to be clearly visible without being overpowering.

#5 Make your gestures smooth and well-timed

Every gesture has three parts:› The Approach – Your body begins to move

in anticipation› The Stroke – The gesture itself› The Return – This brings your body back to

a balanced position.

*Don’t try to memorize every move.

#6 Make natural, spontaneous gesturing a habit

To improve gestures, you have to practice – but never during a speech.

Classification of Gestures

Locative Gestures

Point out persons, places, or things within the sight of the listeners of within the imagination. The index finger may be used; often the palm gesture is appropriate.

Generally, the index finger is used to point out small objects in a precise manner, while the palm gesture is utilized for large objects or areas.

Picturing Gestures

Describe or demonstrate objects, ideas, or action. The length of a fish may be shown by your hands vertically extended.

Emphatic Gestures

Stress or emphasize ideas. The index finger gesture or the clenched fist gesture may be used.

Suggestive Gestures

Stimulate the imagination of the listeners. Many gestures fall under this category. If a gesture does not fall under the first three enumerated but it helps convey thought, it falls under this type of gesture.

Physical Appearance

A general principle that we should constantly be aware of is that consciously or unconsciously, people try to determine a person’s character from the way he looks, talks, and acts. Your physical appearance is thus important in this respect.

Dress neatly Neatness has always been a virtue

Look alive› A dull –looking person cannot impress

THE DON’TS OF BODY LANGUAGE

The don’ts of gestures

Not using gestures at all› If you keep your hands locked at your

sides, you will look nervous and what you are saying will lack the visual elements to accompany and enhance your words for better understanding.

Pocketing your hands Hand fidgeting Holding your hands behind your back Pointing at the audience Folded arms across the chest Using stilted gestures Using overly wild gestures

The don’ts of body movement

Pacing back and forth or walking aimlessly

Shifting your wait from one foot to another

Hiding behind a table, the podium, or your visual aid

The don’ts of posture

Standing too stiffly Slouching and keeping your head down

The don’ts of facial expression

Poker face and the “Bert” eyebrows Showing too much teeth

Sources:

Sta. Ines, S. (2013). How to deliver successful presentations. Quezon City: Bookware Publication.

O’brien, T. (2011). Effective speaking skills. New Delhi: Rupa Publications India Pvt. Ltd.