Effective Non-Verbal Communication in Oral

PresentationEye Contact, Facial Expressions, Posture and

Gestures

HOW we deliver our presentation is just as important as WHAT we say. Body language enhances our believability, and emphasizes the points that we are presenting.

Why is body language (NVC) important when delivering a presentation?

1. Eye Contact, 2. Facial Expression, 3. Gestures, 4. Posture/Movement

Types of NVC:

1. Eye Contact

Eye contact is your most effective tool for convincing an audience of your conviction, honesty, and confidence in your subject matter.

Making eye contact in presentations is important for several reasons:

• It creates a bond between speaker and audience members

• It increases the audience’s confidence in the speaker

• It can help the speaker to overcome nervousness

• It allows the speaker to receive feedback from the audience and adapt content as needed

Tips for Effective Eye Contact• Establish eye contact before speaking• Maintain eye contact throughout your talk• Try to focus on the friendly faces in the

audience to build your confidence• Ask someone to watch you practice delivering

your presentation and provide feedback• Do not keep your eyes away for more than 10 to

15 seconds• Do not look over the heads of the audience• Do not talk to your notes or the screen• Do not turn your back on your audience• Do not stare at any one audience member

Through appropriate eye contact, we show our audience that we are honest, sincere and worthy of their full attention, and we can make listeners feel that we are speaking to them as individuals.

Watch four video clips of a student delivering an academic presentation. Focus on the student’s eye contact and decide in which clip he employs this most effectively

2. Facial Expression

The human face is capable of expressing a vast range of messages. Look at the pictures below and try to identify the meaning behind each expression.

Why is facial expression important for delivering a presentation?• The movements of your eyes, mouth, and

facial muscles can build a connection with your audience.

• They can convey the feelings of the presenter; anything from passion for the subject, to depth of concern for the audience.

Facial Expression- tips

• Relax your facial muscles before beginning your talk• Smile at the audience before beginning, and smile

whenever appropriate during the talk• Be serious when you need to be• Try to be as natural as possible throughout the

presentation• Don’t bite or lick your lips

3. GesturesGestures are one of the most evocative forms of non-

verbal communication you can employ to convey a message

Can you identify the meanings of any of the hand gestures above?

How can effective use of gestures help you deliver your message?

• Can clarify and support your message.• Can dramatise your ideas. • Can convey your emotions, feelings and

attitudes more clearly.• Can enhance audience attentiveness and

retention.• Can provide visual support for your message

Tips on Effective Use of Gestures• Be natural • Use good timing• Be versatile• Do not go overboard• Be relaxed• Do not put your hands in pockets• Do not put your hands behind your back• Do not over gesture with your arms and hands• Do not point your finger at the audience• Do not cover your mouth

4. PostureAs with Eye contact, facial expression and

gestures, your posture can be a powerful tool for delivering effective oral presentations.

Your posture can say “You should listen to me. I know what I’m talking about.”

It can also say “I’m nervous. You don’t need to listen to me because I don’t have anything important to say.”

Some postures to avoid:

Looking down Cocking your head to the sideRounding your shouldersDropping your chinClutching your arm across your shouldersWringing your handsStanding with your feet togetherShifting you weight from one foot to the other

More postures to avoid:

Tip: Even though you will feel nervous when making a presentation, if you adopt a confident posture, you will begin to feel confident.

Watch the following videos of two students making presentations. Comment on their use of NVC and decide which performance is most effective for each student.

Appropriate use of Eye Contact, Facial Expression, Gestures and Posture can greatly improve your effectiveness as a presenter.

Practice and incorporate these guidelines and you will notice your confidence and ability as a speaker grow with experience.