The Truth About Body Language
You’ve got your script written out in the right format, on numbered notecards using bullet points, just the way you have been advised. You’ve prepared bright and beautiful visual aids and you’ve practiced a thousand times. The moment before your presentation, a million things are still running through your mind. It probably sounds like this:
• Have I picked the right outfit?
• My throat is dry. I should drink more water.
• Uggh! What if my arms flail around awkwardly?
• Am I standing well? Should I stand still or walk the stage?
• What if all I can muster is a squeak?
• Should I imagine the audience as watermelons or in their underwear?
And worst of all…
• What if the audience doesn’t like what I’m saying?
It is inevitable that these kinds of thoughts will go through every speaker’s mind. Even the most experienced and qualified speakers will experience nerves and will question their choices. Many ‘facts’ that circulate about body language and oral presentation, are often myths that need to be dispelled. Several of these myths are discussed by Max Atkinson in his book, Lend Me Your Ears. We, the teachers at Lorna Whiston Schools, hope that by understanding these, you can learn to become a more confident and articulate speaker.
1. On the Defensive
We’re often told that if a person has their arms crossed while talking to you, they’re on the defensive. However, unless prompted with an awkward question or a threat, many people sit with their arms crossed simply because it is comfortable for them. The lack of armrests and blasting air-conditioning are two of many reasons. Ever felt the urge to yawn when you saw someone yawn? Echopraxia is the involuntary repetition of another person’s actions. As with yawning, people often cross their arms when they see other people around them do it.
2. Weighing our Words
Many studies show that 93% of our communication is non-verbal and 7% is verbal, so many people believe that verbal communication is far less important. It is true that much of what we say comes through our body language, the use of eye contact, gestures and facial expressions. However, what we say and how we say it still matters. A blind person relies on your words and your tone and radio listeners stay tuned because of the way the radio DJ’s voice keeps them engaged. Just listen to anyone catching up with a friend over the telephone – their voice comes alive! This myth is so widely spread and too many people believe it blindly. Give both non-verbal and verbal communication equal importance for a strong delivery.
3. To pace or not to pace?
Once, a presentation skills trainer taught other speakers to stand still, placing one foot slightly in front of the other when presenting. However, during his own presentation, he was seen wandering. Now, you may be questioning if you should stand in a designated spot or walk the length of the stage when presenting. When asked, many audience members find that when a speaker paces, it holds their interest and that the speaker comes across as an enthusiastic presenter. If you feel like moving, you should do so naturally. If it feels forced, practise it. When experiencing tension, the initial pacing can help release the nerves. Bear in mind that some movements can be seen as negative, such as swaying from side to side, and taking a few steps forward then back and forward again. These are distracting and can cause irritation. The best way is to experiment, see the audience’s reaction, and adjust accordingly.
4. Grand Gestures
The use of gestures is another factor that confuses many speakers. It has been known to be distracting. However, if done properly, it can be a sign of expressiveness and liveliness. If done wrong, it can become highly irritating to the audience. Gestures related to your topic and done with purpose make sense and can be used to hold the audience’s attention. Others like playing with a pen cap, clicking a pen, tugging your hair, and fidgeting can become irritating for the audience. When we converse in our day to day lives, we gesticulate naturally and therefore completely prohibiting it when presenting just seems unnatural. Gestures are also a great way to emphasise words, such as using your fist and stabbing the air on words that you want to send across, counting with your fingers and showing the difference by using your hands to increase or decrease the distance between them. Max Atkinson advises that “the bigger the audience, the more expansive and flamboyant you can afford to be.”
5. Keep the Tension
Another myth is that a presenter must be perfectly calm when going up on stage. When it comes to dealing with nerves and tension, it is best to find ways to minimise it rather than eliminate it. The absence of tension can lead to overconfidence which may lead to a poor delivery. No one likes a show-off. On the other hand, tension, if not managed, can have a direct effect on your voice as it may sound high-pitched or airy. One way to manage the tension is to naturally pace the length of the stage when presenting. Going through breathing exercises before you present can do wonders in helping you sustain your breath and voice till the end.
So there you have it—five myths busted! We hope that you find these tips helpful and consider them the next time you make your way onstage or do a presentation.
By Rashmi Koslaphirom, Speech & Drama Teacher
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rashmi is from Bangkok, Thailand and Singapore has been her home for the last 13 years. She has a decade of experience teaching Speech and Drama to students ranging from the Nursery levels up to teenagers.
Rashmi strives to create a warm and enjoyable environment in her classes. She believes that humour plays an important role in keeping the students happy and engaged. This positive outlook further affirms a child’s self-confidence and the poise to embrace life’s challenges.