The Importance of Non-Verbal Communication
Non-verbal communication is based on the use of voice and body, rather than on the use of
words.
Important Terms:
Vocalics - anything that contributes to the
creation or maintenance of sound in a
person’s voice.
Pronunciation – the accepted standard of
how a word sounds when spoken.
Articulation – physically producing the
sound needed to convey the word.
Dialect – aspects of articulation, grammar,
vocabulary, and pronunciation that differ
from Standard English.
Pitch – the highness or lowness of the
speaker’s voice.
Rate – the speed at which a person speaks.
Tone – the syllabic emphasis on a sound that
expresses emotion or meaning.
Monotone – using only one pitch/tone of
voice.
Inflection – changes in the pitch or tone of a
speaker’s voice.
Vocal Variety – changes in a speaker’s rate,
pitch, and volume that give the voice variety
and expressiveness.
Volume – the loudness or softness of the
speaker’s voice.
Controlling your Voice and Body:
Pronunciation, articulation, and ensuring vocal variety are all specific ways to enhance the
content of your presentation. Words are normally mispronounced for a number of reasons; the
learned pronunciation was through an alternative dialect, the rate of speech causes skipped
syllables, or simply a misconception of how the word should be pronounced. The more
controlled voice, the better chance the audience will receive and understand the content.
Similarly, strategic movement, gestures, and eye contact all affect the way the audience receives
a message.
Effective Non-Verbal Strategies:
Pause/silence – these can be used when a speaker wants to add emphasis. If hard evidence is
provided, this forces the audience to immediately comprehend the content.
Posture/stance – confidence plays an important role in vocalics. A speaker’s posture affects the
voice in terms of how far it carries throughout the speaking environment and how the audience
receives it. Walking around allows the speakers’ voice to be heard across the entire room and
with variety.
Repeat gestures – when physical actions restate verbal messages (ex: holding numbers on fingers
while keeping track of points within the presentation).
Accent gestures – nonverbal behaviors that augment a verbal message (ex: pounding on the
podium to emphasize a dramatic point).
Complement gestures – when the action demonstrates the message contained in the verbal
content (ex: the speaker laughing at her/his own joke).
Substitute gestures – physical actions that take the place of verbal messages (ex: smiling,
frowning, etc. without announcing emotion).