Nonverbal Cues to Consider When Delivering a Speech

Be conscious of facial expressions:

• Use them, show emotions.
• Smile if appropriate.

Maintain eye contact:

• Very important!
• Look at the audience.
• If speaking in a large room, mentally divide the audience into segments and try to look at each segment.
  
• Check your visual aids, but don’t read them word-for-word.

Use gestures:

• The upper body: your head, arms, and hands are effective.
• Avoid standing completely still.
• Use natural hand motions.
• Keep the outline on podium; don’t flail your notes around.

Be aware of posture:

• Try to look natural and at ease
• Stand up straight, but not to the point of looking uncomfortable
• Avoid slouching, it looks sloppy
• Don’t shuffle your feet
• Don’t rock back and forth or side to side

Dress to impress:

• Consider the occasion, audience, and image you want to convey.
• Don’t look sloppy.
• Wear something comfortable so you are not tugging at your clothing.
  

Paraphrased from A Speaker’s Guidebook, O’Hair, et. al.
Prepared by Michelle Hector, Dan Bilodeau, and Laura Siegel