Chapter Nineteen
The Body in
Delivery
Chapter Nineteen
Table of Contents
Functions of Nonverbal Communication
in Delivery
Body Language
Practicing the Delivery*
The Body in Delivery
Aural channel
Vocalizations that form and accompany
spoken words
Visual channel
The speaker’s visual actions and appearance,
such as:
Facial expressions
Gestures and body movement
Physical appearance and dress
Objects held*
Functions of Nonverbal
Communication in Delivery
Researchers have identified several ways
in which nonverbal communication works
together with the verbal component of a
speech.*
Functions of Nonverbal
Communication in Delivery
Clarifying Verbal Messages
Facilitating Feedback
Establishing Relationships Between
Speaker and Audience
Establishing Speaker Credibility*
Functions of Nonverbal Communication in Delivery:
Clarifying Verbal Messages
The same words spoken with different
body movements or different vocal
emphases convey different meanings.*
Functions of Nonverbal Communication in Delivery:
Facilitating Feedback
Being alert to the cues listeners use to
communicate their pleasure or displeasure
can mean the difference between an
alienated audience and one that feels
recognized and respected.*
Functions of Nonverbal Communication in Delivery:
Establishing Relationships Between
Speaker and Audience
Nonverbal behavior (such as how you
position yourself in relation to your
audience) allows you to adjust your
relationship with them, establishing a
level of closeness and familiarity.*
Functions of Nonverbal Communication in Delivery:
Establishing Speaker Credibility
Audiences are more readily persuaded
by speakers who emphasize vocal
variety, eye contact, nodding, and
standing with an open body position.*
Body Language
Audience members are quick to detect
discrepancies between what you say
and how you say it.*
Body Language
Facial Expressions
Eye Contact
Gestures
General Body Movement
Dress and Objects*
Body Language:
Facial Expressions
By our facial expressions, an audience
can gauge whether we are excited
about or indifferent to our speech.*
Body Language:
Eye Contact
Maintaining eye contact is mandatory in
establishing a positive relationship with
listeners, and is perhaps the most
important physical action in speaking.
Scanning
Moving your gaze from one audience
member to another while speaking*
Body Language:
Gestures
Head, arm, hand, and leg gestures
clarify the meanings we try to convey in
words.
They:
Fill in gaps.
Express size or shape.
Express depth of emotion.
Add emphasis.*
Body Language:
General Body Movement
Audience members may tire of a talking
head that remains in one place behind a
podium.
You should strive to stand erect, but not
rigidly.*
Body Language:
Dress and Objects
The first thing an audience tends to
notice is your clothing.
Avoid the distracting use of props like
pens, glasses of water, or open
briefcases.*
Practicing the Delivery
The more you practice, the greater
your comfort level will be when you
actually deliver a speech.*
Practicing the Delivery
Focus on the Message
Stay Away from Mirrors
Record the Speech
Be Prepared to Revise Your Speaking
Outline
Practice Under Realistic Conditions
Time Your Speech
Plan Ahead and Practice Often*
Practicing the Delivery:
Focus on the Message
Your goal should be to get your
message across, not to display
extraordinary delivery skills.*
Practicing the Delivery:
Stay Away from Mirrors
Mirrors will shift your attention away
from your message to worrying about
how you look.*
Practicing the Delivery:
Record the Speech
To accurately gauge how you sound
and look, practice with audio- or
videotaping.*
Practicing the Delivery:
Be Prepared to Revise Your Speaking
Outline
Be prepared to revise your speech if
your introduction or conclusion isn’t as
effective as you’d like it.*
Practicing the Delivery:
Practice Under Realistic Conditions
Try to simulate the actual speech setting
as you practice:
Picture audience and seating arrangements.
Use a makeshift podium.
Begin practicing with speaking outline until
you are confident.
Practice in front of a live audience.*
Practicing the Delivery:
Time Your Speech
Time your speech to
ensure that you stay
within the period
allotted to you.
If you are exceeding
your time limit, adjust
sections of the speech
accordingly.*
Practicing the Delivery:
Plan Ahead and Practice Often
Begin practicing your speech at least
several days before you are to deliver
it.
Practice your speech about five times
in its final form.*