body language

(noun)

Body language is a form of mental and physical ability of human non-verbal communication. It consists of body posture, gestures, facial expressions, and eye movements. Humans send and interpret such signals almost entirely subconsciously.

Related Terms

Examples of body language in the following topics:

  • Using Transitions

    • When using transitions, pair them with body language to make them even more effective.
    • However, there is something that can make the quality of your transitions truly bring your speech alive: combining your transitions with body language.
    • You may be surprised to learn that only 7% of the information you transmit to others is in the language you use.
    • 55% Body language—posture, position, eye contact, facial expression, head and body movements, gestures, touch, etc.
    • Armed with this information, it is easy to understand why body language can make your transitions even more attention-grabbing.

  • Delivering the Speech

    • Details like how you dress, enunciate, and use body language can be just as important as what you say.
    • Humans pick up subtle cues with regard to emotion through non-verbal communications in body language.
    • Standing hunched over or with your arms crossed will close off your body to your audience, thereby shutting them out.

  • Components of a Speech: Main Points, Introduction, Conclusion, and Transitions

    • A traditional academic essay consists of an introduction, a body with alternating concrete details and commentary, and a conclusion.
    • The role of the introduction and conclusion are similar in speeches and essays, but the "body" is a different matter.
    • Thinking of "main points" rather than a "body" can help speakers remember to keep it simple.
    • Speakers can replicate these cues and signal transitions using visual aids and body language, but it will take more conscious effort than simply hitting "enter" to create a paragraph break.
    • Speakers can emphasize transition points with visual aids, body language, vocal delivery, and transitional words and phrases.

  • The Importance of Listening

    • Active listening can also involve paying attention to the speaker's behavior and body language.
    • Having the ability to interpret a person's body language lets the listener develop a more accurate understanding of the speaker's message.

  • Interaction in Public Speaking

    • Your non-verbal interaction with your audience consists largely of body-language cues.
    • Just remember that all body language and non-verbal communication requires appropriate context.

  • Read Feedback Cues

    • However, much of the non-verbal feedback may be unconscious physical body language, which can provide feedback for you.
    • Here are some examples of body language that you may notice displayed consciously or subconsciously by members of the audience:
    • Body position and posture: Audience members will generally face the speaker while listening intently; if the audience members are not interested they may shift the body position to the side rather than toward the speaker.
    • Remember that people from different cultures do interpret body language in different ways.

  • Be a Serious Listener: Resist Distractions and Listen Actively

    • In addition to internalizing what a speaker says, active listening also involves observing and assessing the speaker's behavior and body language, and relaying that information back to the speaker as well.
    • Having the ability to interpret a speaker's body language lets the listener develop a more accurate understanding of the speaker's message.
    • When the listener does not respond to the speaker's nonverbal language, he or she engages in a content-only response that ignores the emotions that guide the message; this can limit understanding.

  • Presentation

    • Your body stance and posture and your eye contact (or lack thereof) can be crucial in making yourself relatable to your audience.
    • You'll want to keep an assertive body posture: stand up straight and maintain eye contact when you can (if you're not reading from prepared remarks).

  • Choosing Vivid Words

    • Don't lose audience interest by having a boring speech; use descriptive language to build interest and make your points more creatively.
    • Avoid the "sin of monotony," as Esenwein puts it, by using vivid language and imagery to build interest in your speech.
    • Descriptive language engages your audience's imagination, which holds their attention and adds both interest and complexity to your speech.
    • There are a variety of ways to add descriptive language to your speech, which are described below.
    • Shakespeare invented over 1700 words and phrases in his body of works.

  • Differences Between Public Speaking and Conversation

    • There are three key differences that set public speaking apart from conversation: organizational structure, use of formalized language, and method of delivery.
    • A public speaker organizes his or her thoughts in a speech by using three basic structural elements: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
    • When you sit down and have a conversation with a close friend, either face-to-face or via text message or chat, you might find that your language and tone are far more casual than if you were to sit down and have a conversation with, say, your doctor.
    • Public speaking formalizes language that much more.