Bodily Action

From "THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING"
Third Edition of Stephen E. Lucas
Page 244(Part Four Presenting the Speech)

Novice Speakers are often unsure what to do with their bodies while giving a speech. Some pace nonstop back and forth across the podium, frearing that if they stop, they will forget everything. Others are perpetual-motion machines, constantly shifting their weight from one foot to the other, bobbing their shoulders, fidgeting with their notes, or jingling coins in their pockets. Still others turn into statues, standing rigid and expressionless from the beginning to end.

Such quirks usually stem nervousness. If you are prone to distracting manerisms, your teaher will identify them so you can work on controlling them in later speeches. With a little concentration, these manerisms should disapear as you become more comfortable speaking in front of an audience.

As important as how you act during the speech is what you do just before you begin and after you finish. As you rise to speak, try to appear calm, poised, and confident, despite the butterflies in your stomach. When you reach the lectern, don't lean on it, and don't rush into your speech. Give yourself time to get set. Arrange yuor notes just the way you want them. Stand quietly as you wait to make sure the audience is paying attention. Establish eyes contact with your listeners. Then--and only then--should you start to talk.

When you reach the end of your speech, maintain eye contact for a few moments after you stop talking. This will give your closing line time to sink in. Unless you are staying at the lectern to answer questions, collect your notes and return to your seat. As you do so, maintain your cool, collected demeanor. Whatever you do, don't start to gather your notes before you have finished talking; and don't cap off your speech with a huge sigh of relief or some remark like "Whew! Am I glad that's cover!"

All of this advice is common sense, yet you would be surprised how many people need it. When practicing your sppeeches, spend a litlle time rehearsing how you will behave at the beginning and at the end. It is probably the easiest--and one of the most effective--things you can do to impprove your image with an audience.