Body lang and clothes for presentations

Body Language and Clothing for PresentationsAmerican Pragmatics and Culture

Spring 2012 Ms. Candice Quiñones

OverviewBody Language – By the Book

Body Language –Other Tips

Clothing –By the Book

Clothing – Other Tips

Body Language for Presenting

Most Material Adapted from Presentation Skills by Steve Mandel

From Presentation Skills by Steve Mandel

Body Language: According to Steve Mandel:

“It’s not just what you say but how you say it”

Movement

Gestures

Facial Expression

Voice

Posture

Eye contact

From Presentation Skills by Steve Mandel

Movement: By the Book

Don’t stand in one spot the whole time (like a tree)

Take an occasional step or two

Follow the principal “Look, move, plant”Look at the person you are going to move toward

Move

Plant your feet and stop moving

From Presentation Skills by Steve Mandel

Movement: By the Book

“Stay close, stay direct, stay involved” Stay away from the lecternStay within 4-6 feet of the first rowKeep your body facing the audience as much as possible Speak only when looking at people

Movement: Other Tips

Moving around is good, but don’t do it all the time

Don’t move to fast either

Try to use the entire space

If you need to point at something, use a pointer or the mouse

Don’t step in front of the projector

From Presentation Skills by Steve Mandel

Gestures: By the Book

Our anxiety tends to be displayed by our gestures.

Try to control nervous gesturesRelax (but not too much)

Let your hands relax and rest by your sides between gestures

Natural gestures will add to a presentation, not distract the audience

From Presentation Skills by Steve Mandel

Gestures: What Not To Do

Don’t keep your hands in your pockets

Don’t keep hands “handcuffed” behind your back

Don’t keep your arms crossed

Don’t use the “Fig-leaf” position for handsFig-leaf= folding one hand over the other in front of the body (lower or upper)

Don’t wring your hands

Don’ts

Hands in Pockets

Hands Behind Back

Fig Leaf Crossed Arms Wringing Hands

Facial ExpressionsUse all of them as necessary

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090813142131.htm

Source Presentation Skills by Steve Mandel

Voice: By the Book

Be aware of volumeA soft voice can be viewed as a lack of confidence and could hurt your credibilitySpeaking too loud could mean your hearing is impaired

Do a volume check before you begin, simply ask the people in the back of the

room if they can hear you.

Voice: Other TipsTry to avoid being monotone by varying intonation

Raise pitch and volume slightly for key points

Watch the audience for cues about your volume

Pace yourself:Slow down

Use pauses

From Presentation Skills by Steve Mandel

Posture: By the Book

Keep your posture erect, but relaxed

Stand up straight (but not stiff)

Evenly distribute your weight

Don’t be shifting your weight from one hip to the other (it can be distracting)

Good Posture

http://www.fitness-programs-for-life.com/posture.html

http://emotisys.net/category/master/

Analyze PostureWhich of these is okay for a presenter?

Posture: Other Tips

Be aware of your audience’s posture.

http://www.mbanetbook.co.in/2010/05/presentations-postures-and-gestures.html

From Presentation Skills by Steve Mandel

Eye Contact: By the Book

Speak to one person at a time when you present

Make eye contact for 3-5 seconds per person, then move

If the group is large, make eye contact with individuals in different parts of the audience

Don’t just look at your audience, SEE them

ClothingHow to Dress for a Presentation

Dress CodesFormal (black-tie)

Semi-Formal

Business

Business Casual

Casual

Streetwear

Sports/Athletic

Formal (Black-Tie)This would normally be worn to a formal function like a ball, dinner, or other high society event.

Semi-FormalWomen

Dresses and dress suits that fall at or below the knee, cocktail dresses that fall no more than an inch above the knee, and pant suits.

Women can even pair a dressy top with tuxedo or dress pants, made of an appropriate fabric.

Semi-formal fabrics include taffeta, chiffon, velvet, satin, sateen, gossamer, velour, silk, polyester and cashmere.

Pair the outfit with dress heels, dressy flats or strappy sandals that coordinate with your outfit color.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_7197265_semi_formal-dress-mean_.html

Semi -FormalMen

A sports jacket, slacks, vest and tie or a dark or light business suit with dress shoes, such as oxfords.

For semi-formal events that take place after 6 p.m., men should wear a dark suit with a white dress shirt and evening tie.

Look for suits made of wool, polyester or gabardine

Men should avoid linen or seersucker suits as well as loafers.

No jeans or flip-flops!

http://www.ehow.com/facts_7197265_semi_formal-dress-mean_.html

http://www.askmen.com/fashion/keywords/business-attire.html

Business Attire

http://blog.dresses-shopping.com/business-dress-code/

Business Attire for Men

Business Attire for Women

http://blog.wearittowork.co.uk/default,date,2010-04-06.aspx

Business Casual

http://washingtonprogram.ucdavis.edu/BusinessCasualWomen.htm

Casual

http://humanresources.about.com/od/dresscodesforwork/ig/Casual-Dress-Code/Casual-Dress-Code.-5YY.htm

Streetwear

http://www.grooveeffect.com/m-style/092308-jack-threads---your-daily-stre.php

Sports/Athleticwear

Swimwear

Presentation Attire

Business or Business Casual are usually appropriate depending on the situation.

If you are not sure how to dress—Ask someone who might know.

Presentation Attire -Men

Casual wear and suits should be well-tailored

Men’s suit coats are designed to be buttoned

Shirts should fit well, and the color should not be too bright

Ties can be used to complement the color of your eyes and face

Shoes should be appropriate, comfortable, and well shined

Hair frames the face (be well groomed)

Presentation Attire-Women

Clothes should fit well but not too tightly

Find two or three colors that work well with your complexion and hair

Avoid jewelry that sparkles, dangles, or makes noise

Makeup should be simple and flattering

Your hairstyle should be professional and controlled

Questions?