Chapter 10

The Power of Sight“Making a Good Impression”

p. 200-204

Nonverbal Communication• Bodily actions speak louder than wordsBodily actions speak louder than words

– Outward appearanceOutward appearance• ComposureComposure

• Stance Stance

• Eye contactEye contact

• Approaching/leaving the “stage”Approaching/leaving the “stage”

• Facial expressionFacial expression

• GesturesGestures

• MovementMovement

• GroomingGrooming

Composure/Poise

• “The bearing of the head/body”• Presents “ the look of confidence”

•Lack of Composure/poiseLack of Composure/poise•Audience focuses on appearance•Message lost

Good Posture

• Proper alignment of head, shoulders, & back

• Helps establish credibility with audience

• Results from proper relaxation & effective concentration

Visual Directness

• Makes good impression• Establishes good rapport• Initial visual contact as

you approach platform• Take a relaxed,

sweeping glance– Not too slow –

uncomfortable look – Not too fast – confused

audience

Approaching/Leaving Stage

• Eyes are watching you• First impressions count• Begins as soon as you’re called• Ends when next person is called

On the Platform

• Delivery• Verbal & Nonverbal

• How message is delivered

• Supports message

Facial Expression

• Conveys meaning to audience• Facial expressions should be

“natural” and “expressive”

Gestures

• Nonverbal delivery in movement of limbs or body– Usually moving hands/arms

– Shrugging shoulders

1st Position of a “Gesture”

1.Approach: Arm comes away from your side & hand moves into position

2nd Position of a “Gesture”

2. Hand reaches final destination & stops briefly

3rd Position of a “Gesture”

3. The “return” – your hand & arm come back to relaxed, initial position

*A gesture can look bad when rushed on approach or return. Relax & take your time!

Principles for Using Gestures

1. Well timed

2. Large enough to be seen

3. Appropriate for the idea being expressed

4. Varied

Remember to AvoidAvoid

• Distracting, fidgeting hand & arm movements

• Holding podium

• Hands in pockets

• Clasping hands together

Remember to keep one (if not holding visual aids) or both hands relaxed at your side when not gesturing.

Effective Gestures• Well-timed – falls on word/idea

being supported• Large enough for entire

audience to view –Gesture from elbow, not the wrist

• Appropriate for idea expressed– Big gestures for little ideas– Avoid pounding on podium unless

emotion demands– Avoid using same gesture

repeatedly– Practice before a mirror to preview

Types of Gestures

• Use to accomplish any 4 purposes–To emphasize–To describe–To locate–To transition

Emphatic Gestures

• Oct. 13, 1960: Former Soviet Union leader Nikita Khrushchev took off his shoe and waved it around & banged it on his table in response to another delegate’s claim against during a meeting at the U.N.

Think “emphasis” – mean what you say!

Locative Gestures

• Show where an object’s located• Direct audience’s attention to a specific

object, person, place (book, those women, that room)

• Uses index finger or entire hand

Think “location” – pointing direction

Descriptive Gestures

• Speaking about something big, small, round, square

• Gives audience an idea to visualize

Transitional Gestures

• Informs audience: Turning to a new idea

• Sweeps from one side to another, showing movement

Remember When Gesturing

• Let gestures flow from your thoughts

• The more you relax & concentrate on your message

• The more natural and effective gestures will be

Check out the link on my webpage Check out the link on my webpage for a short video on gesturingfor a short video on gesturing