you stand behind the podium, you'll be perceived as more formal, and possibly somewhat removed from the audience. If you move around the front or place the lectern off to one side rather than standing behind it, you'll be perceived as less formal, and probably more accessible to the audience members.

If you are concerned with your ability to integrate body language into your presentations, plan and practice gesture, eye contact and movement as you prepare for your speech. Gestures should look natural, not contrived, and should mirror or help explicate the words of your message. If you're not sure whether you're using body language during your presentation, practice in front of a friend or family member and have them give you a critique. Better yet, have someone video tape a practice presentation

Body language is a non-verbal technique that can be used to enhance your presentations. Body language includes gestures, movements and mannerisms that people use to communicate. As with the use of vocal techniques, body language comes more easily to some than to others. Again, body language is something that can be learned.

There are 4 elements of body language that you must pay attention to as you practice or make your presentation. They are:

1) Eye contact

Look your audience in the eyes. The number one reason to use good eye contact is it involves your audience in your presentation. If you look directly at a member of the audience, they are likely to return your gaze, and keep looking at you rather than looking at a paper on the table, staring out the window, or daydreaming.

The second reason to use good eye contact is it leads people to trust you. Studies show that when people are lying, they tend to look up or look down. Looking people in the eyes demonstrates that you're being sincere. The third reason to use good eye contact is that it shows confidence. Think about it. Who are you more likely to follow? Someone who looks you in the eyes or someone who talks to their shoes? Listeners are more likely to believe you and trust you if you seem confident in yourself and your position on your topic. When speaking to a room full of people, you must speak to the whole room, not just one person. Thus, you must engage in eye contact with the whole audience, as well. Rather than staring down one audience member, scan the room, and be sure to include people sitting to your far right and far left who are often neglected.

2) Gestures

It is the movement of your body or limbs to illuminate and emphasize the meaning of your words. Simple hand movements such as holding up the number one with your fingers when you say "my first point is," are appropriate. Gesture can be used to demonstrate how something looks or acts, as well. Some people naturally talk with their hands. Nervousness can accentuate this characteristic. Beware of gesturing too much as it can be distracting. On the other side, please use some gestures. I've seen presenters give thirty minute long speeches, desperately grasping the podium throughout. It is also important to vary your gestures.

3) Posture

Posture is the bearing of your body, your stance. When speaking to an audience, stand straight with your shoulders back, your head centered above your body and your feet shoulder-width apart. Don't slump. Don't lean against the wall. If the situation absolutely calls for it (for example, you're asked to give an impromptu presentation during a business meeting), you may sit ­ but sit up straight.

4) Movement in the speaking-space

When you are provided with a podium or lectern, the tendency is to remain directly behind the lectern for the entire presentation. This can be appropriate. However, do not be afraid to walk around a bit to get closer to the audience. If you're speaking to a particularly large audience, it may be appropriate to mingle with the audience talk-host style during your presentation. Your movement or lack of movement will help set the tone of your presentation. If you stand behind the podium, you'll be perceived as more formal, and possibly somewhat removed from the audience. If you move around the front or place the lectern off to one side rather than standing behind it, you'll be perceived as less formal, and probably more accessible to the audience members.

If you are concerned with your ability to integrate body language into your presentations, plan and practice gesture, eye contact and movement as you prepare for your speech. Gestures should look natural, not contrived, and should mirror or help explicate the words of your message. If you're not sure whether you're using body language during your presentation, practice in front of a friend or family member and have them give you a critique. Better yet, have someone video tape a practice presentation.

>The second reason to use good eye contact is it leads people to trust you. Studies show that when people are lying, they tend to look up or look down. Looking people in the eyes demonstrates that you're being sincere. The third reason to use good eye contact is that it shows confidence. Think about it. Who are you more likely to follow? Someone who looks you in the eyes or someone who talks to their shoes? Listeners are more likely to believe you and trust you if you seem confident in yourself and your position on your topic. When speaking to a room full of people, you must speak to the whole room, not just one person. Thus, you must engage in eye contact with the whole audience, as well. Rather than staring down one audience member, scan the room, and be sure to include people sitting to your far right and far left who are often neglected.

2) Gestures

It is the movement of your body or limbs to illuminate and emphasize the meaning of your words. Simple hand movements such as holding up the number one with your fingers when you say "my first point is," are appropriate. Gesture can be used to demonstrate how something looks or acts, as well. Some people naturally talk with their hands. Nervousness can accentuate this characteristic. Beware of gesturing too much as it can be distracting. On the other side, please use some gestures. I've seen presenters give thirty minute long speeches, desperately grasping the podium throughout. It is also important to vary your gestures.

3) Posture

Posture is the bearing of your body, your stance. When speaking to an audience, stand straight with your shoulders back, your head centered above your body and your feet shoulder-width apart. Don't slump. Don't lean against the wall. If the situation absolutely calls for it (for example, you're asked to give an impromptu presentation during a business meeting), you may sit ­ but sit up straight.

4) Movement in the speaking-space

When you are provided with a podium or lectern, the tendency is to remain directly behind the lectern for the entire presentation. This can be appropriate. However, do not be afraid to walk around a bit to get closer to the audience. If you're speaking to a particularly large audience, it may be appropriate to mingle with the audience talk-host style during your presentation. Your movement or lack of movement will help set the tone of your presentation. If you stand behind the podium, you'll be perceived as more formal, and possibly somewhat removed from the audience. If you move around the front or place the lectern off to one side rather than standing behind it, you'll be perceived as less formal, and probably more accessible to the audience members.

If you are concerned with your ability to integrate body language into your presentations, plan and practice gesture, eye contact and movement as you prepare for your speech. Gestures should look natural, not contrived, and should mirror or help explicate the words of your message. If you're not sure whether you're using body language during your presentation, practice in front of a friend or family member and have them give you a critique. Better yet, have someone video tape a practice presentation

ght and far left who are often neglected.

2) Gestures

It is the movement of your body or limbs to illuminate and emphasize the meaning of your words. Simple hand movements such as holding up the number one with your fingers when you say "my first point is," are appropriate. Gesture can be used to demonstrate how something looks or acts, as well. Some people naturally talk with their hands. Nervousness can accentuate this characteristic. Beware of gesturing too much as it can be distracting. On the other side, please use some gestures. I've seen presenters give thirty minute long speeches, desperately grasping the podium throughout. It is also important to vary your gestures.

3) Posture

Posture is the bearing of your body, your stance. When speaking to an audience, stand straight with your shoulders back, your head centered above your body and your feet shoulder-width apart. Don't slump. Don't lean against the wall. If the situation absolutely calls for it (for example, you're asked to give an impromptu presentation during a business meeting), you may sit ­ but sit up straight.

4) Movement in the speaking-space

When you are provided with a podium or lectern, the tendency is to remain directly behind the lectern for the entire presentation. This can be appropriate. However, do not be afraid to walk around a bit to get closer to the audience. If you're speaking to a particularly large audience, it may be appropriate to mingle with the audience talk-host style during your presentation. Your movement or lack of movement will help set the tone of your presentation. If you stand behind the podium, you'll be perceived as more formal, and possibly somewhat removed from the audience. If you move around the front or place the lectern off to one side rather than standing behind it, you'll be perceived as less formal, and probably more accessible to the audience members.

If you are concerned with your ability to integrate body language into your presentations, plan and practice gesture, eye contact and movement as you prepare for your speech. Gestures should look natural, not contrived, and should mirror or help explicate the words of your message. If you're not sure whether you're using body language during your presentation, practice in front of a friend or family member and have them give you a critique. Better yet, have someone video tape a practice presentation

with your shoulders back, your head centered above your body and your feet shoulder-width apart. Don't slump. Don't lean against the wall. If the situation absolutely calls for it (for example, you're asked to give an impromptu presentation during a business meeting), you may sit ­ but sit up straight.

4) Movement in the speaking-space

When you are provided with a podium or lectern, the tendency is to remain directly behind the lectern for the entire presentation. This can be appropriate. However, do not be afraid to walk around a bit to get closer to the audience. If you're speaking to a particularly large audience, it may be appropriate to mingle with the audience talk-host style during your presentation. Your movement or lack of movement will help set the tone of your presentation. If you stand behind the podium, you'll be perceived as more formal, and possibly somewhat removed from the audience. If you move around the front or place the lectern off to one side rather than standing behind it, you'll be perceived as less formal, and probably more accessible to the audience members.

If you are concerned with your ability to integrate body language into your presentations, plan and practice gesture, eye contact and movement as you prepare for your speech. Gestures should look natural, not contrived, and should mirror or help explicate the words of your message. If you're not sure whether you're using body language during your presentation, practice in front of a friend or family member and have them give you a critique. Better yet, have someone video tape a practice presentation

you stand behind the podium, you'll be perceived as more formal, and possibly somewhat removed from the audience. If you move around the front or place the lectern off to one side rather than standing behind it, you'll be perceived as less formal, and probably more accessible to the audience members.

If you are concerned with your ability to integrate body language into your presentations, plan and practice gesture, eye contact and movement as you prepare for your speech. Gestures should look natural, not contrived, and should mirror or help explicate the words of your message. If you're not sure whether you're using body language during your presentation, practice in front of a friend or family member and have them give you a critique. Better yet, have someone video tape a practice presentation. Watching yourself on tape can be painful, yet very illuminating. If all else fails, practice in front of a mirror.