body language on speech

here's how you can incorporate appropriate body language into your speeches :

• start with eye contact. being prepared, having control of your message is a prerequisite for being able to project and establish a bond with the audience. don't just pass your gaze throughout the room; try to focus on individual listeners and create a bond with them by looking them directly in the eyes for five to 10 second
• smile!
• express emotion with your facial muscles. for inspiration, take a look at the the human face, a bbc  documentary narrated by john cleese of monty phyton fame, now available on dvd
• avoid distracting mannerisms. have a friend watch as you practice and look for nervous expressions such as fidgeting, twitching, lip biting, key jigling, hands in pockets or behind the back
• telling a story? highlight the action verbs and look for ways to act out one or more parts. speaking about marathon running? run a few steps
• stay true to your personality. don't copy gestures from a book or other speaker, but respond naturally to what you feel and say
• make gestures convincing. every hand gesture should be total body movement that starts from the shoulder never from the elbow. half-hearted gestures look artificial
• vary your speaking position by moving from one spot on the stage to another. for example, walk o the other side of the stage as you move to a new topic or move toward the audience as you ask a question