USING
BODY LANGUAGE
The Better
Speaker Series
WHERE LEADERS
ARE MADE
USING BODY LANGUAGE
The Better Speaker Series
© 2016 Toastmasters International. All rights reserved. Toastmasters International,
the Toastmasters International logo, and all other Toastmasters International
trademarks and copyrights are the sole property of Toastmasters International
WHERE LEADERS
and may be used only with permission.
ARE MADE
Rev. 10/2016 Item 279A [Link]
THE BETTER SPEAKER SERIES
Toastmasters International’s The Better Speaker Series is a set of presentations offering instruction
on basic speaking skills. Designed to be delivered by members to their clubs, presentations in this
series provide new speaking techniques and facts that can help all club members develop their
communication skills.
Presentations in The Better Speaker Series may be offered by any club member and require 10 to
15 minutes to present.
CONDUCTING THE PRESENTATION
“Using Body Language” offers information on using facial expressions, gestures, and whole body
movement to enhance a presentation. This product consists of four parts:
Definition and explanation of the presentation
Guidelines for your introduction to the audience
Outline for the development of your speech
PowerPoint presentation
In Your Own Words
The outline is not a script and should not be read word-for-word. Instead, use the
document as a guide for presenting the material in your own words and with your
own narrative style. The outline is a structure on which to build your presentation.
Use the points of the outline to develop your speech, but be the author of your
own oration.
Here are some tips on using this outline to develop and deliver your presentation:
Study the outline carefully. Familiarize yourself with the general structure. Preparation is the
key to a successful presentation.
Use the outline to build your own speech using your own words. Prepare a set of notes indi-
cating where you wish to pause, gesture, or add special verbal emphasis. Highlight key words
or sentences to help you present the material most effectively.
Be expressive when delivering your speech. Use all of the presentation skills you have learned
as a Toastmaster including vocal variety and gestures.
USING VISUAL AIDS EFFECTIVELY
Visual aids add interest to any presentation and help your audience retain information. If you plan
to use the PowerPoint slides for this presentation as visual aids, make sure you have the
equipment and technology needed to share the slides with your audience. It is recommended
that you test your technology and equipment in advance.
2 THE BETTER SPEAKER SERIES USING BODY LANGUAGE
In the outline, there are indications for placement of the PowerPoint slides. Each is
numbered. For example, V1 refers to the first visual.
Please note that the first slide in the PowerPoint show is a title slide and is not included in
this numbering system.
If your presentation is taking place in a fully in-person format but you do not have the
equipment needed to share the PowerPoint, you could create a flip chart using the visuals from
the slides.
Follow these tips when using visual aids in an in-person setting:
Set them up and test them before the meeting begins. Place them so they are easily visible to
listeners.
Bring backup equipment in case your technology fails.
Display your visuals only when they are needed. If you are using a flip chart, flip the page back
out of view when you are finished with it.
Remember not to stand between the screen or flip chart and your audience or you will block
their view.
Maintain eye contact with your listeners. If you must turn your back to point out something,
pause as you point it out, and then resume speaking only after you are once again facing your
audience.
Follow these tips when using visuals in the online or hybrid setting:
Share your screen. Be sure your PowerPoint presentation is visible in the room and on the
screens of those members participating from another location.
Consider having someone else share the visuals so you can maintain eye contact with the
camera.
Consider an online whiteboard when sharing information, as it will be visible to both mem-
bers in the room and those participating online.
Consider enlisting the assistance of a partner to join the meeting on their computer in
the room with you so that they can facilitate the remote attendees and monitor what is
happening online. This is a good practice for all hybrid meetings.
Test your online platform and technology before the meeting begins. Have an online
participant confirm they can see everything as expected.
Forgo visual aids altogether if you cannot be sure they will work for everyone in attendance.
Share any handouts or other documents you use as part of your presentation with all
attendees in advance or via the chat function of your meeting app so that all participants
have access to them at the same time.
BENEFITS AND OPPORTUNITIES
By giving this presentation, you will be helping your club build excellence and move toward the
possibility of becoming a Distinguished club--or reaching an even greater Distinguished status.
While this is an outlined presentation, it still provides a good opportunity for you to further
practice speaking and build your presentation skills.
THE BETTER SPEAKER SERIES USING BODY LANGUAGE 3
USING BODY LANGUAGE
Introducing the Presenter
TIPS FOR THE PRESENTER: WRITE YOUR INTRODUCTION
All prepared speeches in Toastmasters require an introduction. A proper introduction of you and
your speech is important to the success of your presentation. Use the following as a guide in writing
your introduction:
Include the purpose of The Better Speaker Series.
Explain why “Using Body Language” is important for a Toastmasters club, stating the purpose
and one or more objectives of your presentation.
Incorporate some background about yourself.
Read When You’re the Introducer in A Toastmaster Wears Many Hats (Item 1167D) for further
details on giving a proper introduction.
Give your finished introduction to the person who will be introducing you.
TIPS FOR THE INTRODUCER
Ask the presenter any clarifying questions.
Rehearse the introduction.
4 THE BETTER SPEAKER SERIES USING BODY LANGUAGE
USING BODY LANGUAGE
Outline
INTRODUCTION
The body can be an effective tool for adding emphasis and clarity to a speaker’s words. It can
also be a powerful instrument for convincing an audience of a speaker’s sincerity, passion, and
commitment.
Audiences base their judgment of a speaker and the speaker’s message on what they see as well
as upon what they hear. A speaker’s stance, facial expressions, hand gestures, effectively the move-
ment of the entire body, communicate more to an audience than actual spoken words.
Body language can also help release nervous energy. Displays of discomfort through nervous
habits distract the audience. Speakers can harness this nervous energy and use it to contribute to
their message instead.
Movement attracts and keeps an audience’s attention. A stationary speaker is more likely to lose
the audience’s interest.
There are three general categories of body language: V1
Facial expressions
Gestures
Whole body movement
FACIAL EXPRESSIONS V2
Facial expression is often the key to the meaning behind a message. A speaker’s face communi-
cates more clearly than any other part of the body. An audience will watch a speaker’s face for clues
about the speaker’s sincerity, attitude toward the message, and conviction.
Match facial expressions to spoken words. If a speaker talks about a tragedy but his or her face
carries an expression of joy, the audience will be confused.
Eye contact is important. In some cultures, avoiding eye contact is considered dishonest, V3
insincere, or disinterested while in others it is an expression of politeness and respect. Whatever the
locale, try to make everyone in the audience feel as if you are communicating in a personal manner.
This projects an air of confidence and sincerity.
GESTURES
Gestures reinforce verbal messages or convey a specific thought or emotion. Gestures can be made
by any part of the body but most are made with the hands and arms. Avoid nervous mannerisms,
such as fidgeting with jewelry, as they tend to distract and annoy an audience. Conversely, strong,
purposeful, and complementary gestures strengthen your message and add interest to your
presentation.
THE BETTER SPEAKER SERIES USING BODY LANGUAGE 5
V4 Three Types of Gestures
Conventional gestures are symbols for words, such as the raised hand for the word “stop”
and two raised fingers for the number two.
Descriptive gestures describe the idea you are communicating, such as holding the hands
apart to show length or moving the hands and arms to indicate shape.
Emotional gestures suggest feelings, such as shaking a clenched fist to show anger or deter-
mination or shrugging the shoulders to show indifference.
Gestures must be a natural outgrowth of the speaker’s thoughts and feelings about their topic.
Poorly planned gestures look stiff and artificial and detract from the speaker’s message.
The frequency and vigor of gestures must be appropriate for the words. Match gestures to
the audience size. Use smaller, conversational gestures for small audiences and large, exaggerated
gestures for larger ones.
V5 WHOLE BODY MOVEMENT
A speaker’s stance, posture, and movement tell the audience whether the speaker is confident, alert,
and in command of the situation.
A relaxed, balanced speaking stance provides a solid starting point from which to gesture or
move in any direction; this decreases nervousness and helps the speaker feel poised and comfort-
able. Varying positions during the presentation can help the speaker provide visual transitions from
one point of the speech to the next and can help keep the audience focused.
V6 PRACTICE
Practice using facial expressions, gestures, and whole body movement effectively. Using a mirror or
video recording can be useful.
Presenter:
If you wish, you may devise a short exercise allowing your audience to practice
different gestures.
CONCLUSION
Visual presentation is a major part of a speech’s success. Communicating ideas visually through
gestures and other body expressions enhances not just a presentation but also the speaker’s overall
effectiveness.
V7 “The language of the body is the key that can unlock the soul.”
– Konstantin Stanislavsky, developed the method theory of acting
6 THE BETTER SPEAKER SERIES USING BODY LANGUAGE
Evaluation Guide
Evaluator’s Name_________________________________________________________________
Presentation Title_______________________________________ Date _____________________
How effective was the speaker’s introduction in helping the audience understand the purpose of
The Better Speaker Series and the presentation itself?
Was the presenter adequately prepared? How heavily did the presenter rely on notes?
How did the speaker use vocal variety to enhance this presentation?
What other techniques did the speaker use to personalize and augment the presentation? Were
they effective? How?
Did the speaker display the visuals smoothly and at the appropriate times? How could the
speaker improve?
What aspect of the speaker’s presentation style did you find unique? Why?
Did the speaker present the material clearly and simply so audience members could easily use
the information to improve their own speeches?
What could the speaker have done differently to make the presentation more effective?
What did you like about the presentation?
THE BETTER SPEAKER SERIES USING BODY LANGUAGE 7
Notes
8 THE BETTER SPEAKER SERIES USING BODY LANGUAGE
[Link]