SPEECH
PUBLIC SPEAKING AND COMMUNICATION
CREDIT THREE
Body language and non-verbal communication
QUESTION:
i) the value of understanding non-verbal communication and body
language, and
ii) their use in platform delivery of a talk.
ANSWER:
There is much value in understanding non-verbal communication and body language
as it can enhance the delivery of a platform talk.
Body language is an important visual way of communicating with the
audience. This essay will discuss
the importance of the differing elements to body language; gesture, movement,
eye contact, facial expression and physical appearance, and the value of
understanding how to use these elements in the delivery of a platform talk.
Gesture is an aspect of body language and non-verbal communication that is very
important and effective if used correctly.
Gesture is the movement of the hands and arms.
There are two different types of gestures – descriptive and emphatic.
Descriptive gestures aid the speaker in describing what they are talking
about, such as size or height.
Emphatic gestures are used to give emphasis on certain words, accentuating the
importance of them through gesture. Gestures such as these are purposeful and
deliberate and can enhance the delivery of a talk in platform speaking.
For example, there was an instance where I was asked to give a talk to a
year level of students about collecting for ‘Food Bank’, a scheme where we
collect tins of food for those in need. I used gesture in my delivery to show
how many items I wanted from the students and also used gesture to emphasise
“Don’t forget!” In this way, this element of kinesics, body language, can be
used effectively and becomes a valuable tool for the speaker who understands how
to execute it.
Movement is another means of non-verbal communication and can enhance the
delivery of a platform speech.
Movement is the use of space – the speaker using the space effectively by moving
around in a purposeful manner.
Movement, like gesture, has to be deliberate, purposeful and well timed.
If a speaker moves around constantly or aimlessly, the movement can
distract the audience from listening to the verbal communication of the speaker,
detracting from it. Through
understanding the value of movement and using the space around them, speakers
can look confident, prepared and organised, which adds to the ethos and
credibility, increasing the chance of audience attention.
Audience attention can be maintained and established through the use of
movement – the proxemics, which is the study of distance between those
interacting, show that the chance of the audience understanding and giving
attention to the speaker increases with the degree of intimacy.
So when speakers know and understand the value of movement, their
likelihood of establishing a relationship with the audience and their message
being absorbed, increases.
The third aspect of body language I would like to discuss is the element of eye
contact. Eye contact is a very
powerful tool in non-verbal communication.
Through eye contact a speaker can establish and maintain a relationship
and connection between them and the audience.
This is a crucial point in communication whether verbal or non-verbal.
By establishing eye contact the speaker can ensure the audience is
receiving and absorbing the message that they are trying to put across.
By creating eye contact with the audience, they are able to see the
emotion behind the words that are spoken, creating pathos – appealing to the
emotions of audience, increasing the chances of the audience giving the speaker
their attention. Also, eye contact
exuberates confidence – if the speaker is able to hold an audience member’s eyes
for a couple of seconds, then the audience are able to see that the speaker is
confident in themselves and what they are saying, which adds to the ethos of the
speaker. I personally always find
it effective if I choose three or four people across a room that I make eye
contact with when delivering a talk.
This way, I know that I am not looking at just one side of the room and
establishing a relationship with the audience as a whole.
The fourth aspect that I would like to discuss is facial expressions.
Facial expressions convey the speaker’s feelings and emotions behind
their words. Facial expression,
like gesture, is somewhat natural.
The face portrays the feelings of the words and what the speaker is feeling when
he/she says them. Facial expression
supports paralanguage, which is the tone or the manner in which the talk is
delivered. If a speaker is very
enthusiastic and fun, then their tone will be modulated, their volume high and
pace fast – the facial expression will parallel this and be animated.
Facial expression cannot only show the audience what the speaker is
feeling but can also show sincerity and emotion, which appeals to the emotions
of the audience, the rhetorical style of pathos.
This can sway the audience as they can see through non-verbal
communication what they are trying to communicate.
For example, when I am giving a talk to those in the local youth council
about the state of our unclean beaches and parks, I use a solemn and indignant
tone to parallel my sad, disappointed facial expressions, in order to appeal to
their emotions so that they can empathise to what I am saying.
Lastly, the aspect of physical appearance is an important part of communication
and can be valuable if used correctly.
Physical appearance is literally the way that the speaker appears through
artefacts, man-made objects, such as clothing and jewellery.
The physical appearance of a speaker can determine whether or not the
audience will listen to you and deem you worthy of attention.
We as human beings, like what is attractive to the eye and familiar to
us. A speaker should always look
tidy, well-kempt, organised and prepared.
This adds to the credibility and ethos of a speaker.
However, if a speaker appears to be unorganised, messy and unkempt, then
the chances of the audience taking them to be credible, decreases.
For example, an audience is much more likely to take seriously a speaker
who is dressed in a tidy manner, looks attractive and organised than one who is
not. I personally find that those who are not well presented in their physical
appearance to not be as credible.
In conclusion, it is highly important to understand the values of non-verbal
communication as discussed in this essay.
By knowing these five aspects of body language, a speaker can greatly
enhance the quality in their delivery of a talk.
Speakers should work towards understanding and mastering the use of body
language to make their delivery effective.