Competent Communication #5 - Your Body Speaks

(See sample speech here)



Introduction

When you talk to our friends or co-workers, you move your hands and arms, walk around, make eye contact and change facial expressions.These movements are called body language.Body language is as important in public speaking as it is in everyday conversation.


Executive Summary

Body language is an important part of speaking because it enhances your message and gives you more credibility.It also helps release any nervousness you may feel.Stance, movement, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact help communicate your message and achieve your speech’s purpose.Body language should be smooth, natural and convey the same message that your listeners hear. Read Gestures: Your Body Speaks which you received in your New Member Kit.


Objectives

  • Use stance, movement, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact to express your message and achieve your speech’s purpose.

  • Make your body language smooth and natural.

Time: Five to seven minutes





Your Assignment

This project focuses on body language. You are to:

  • Select a topic that facilitates the use of body language.

  • Use stance, movement, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact to express your message and achieve your speech’s purpose.

  • Ensure that body language enhances and clarifies your words and helps the audience to visualize your points and overall message. The message your listeners see should be the same one they hear.

  • Make your body language smooth and natural.

Be sure to incorporate what you learned in previous projects about purpose, organization and language and use appropriate suggestions from the evaluations you received. As you prepare your speech, review the Speaker’s Checklist in Project 1 and Gestures: Your Body Speaks (Catalog No. 201), which you received in your New Member Kit. You may also refer to The Better Speaker Series program “Using Body Language” (Catalog No. 279).

This information is provided as a service to members. For full details on this speech project, refer to the Competent Communication manual. All materials in the Toastmasters Educational Program are copyright Toastmasters International. All rights reserved.


The Competent Communication Manual

You may be more comfortable communicating by electronic mail or telephone than in person. Speaking to large or small groups, or even one-to-one, may intimidate or frighten you. Yet good communication skills are vital if you want to be successful. Corporate leaders say that the ability to communicate well orally is one of the most important skills their recruiters look for in job candidates. Businesses want people who express themselves clearly and confidently, and are persuasive and comfortable communicating with a wide range of people, from top executives to assembly-line workers.

(See sample speech here)