10.4 Physical Delivery
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Explain the role of facial expressions and eye contact in speech delivery.
- Explain the role of posture, gestures, and movement in speech delivery.
- Explain the connection between personal appearance and credibility in speech delivery.
- Explain the connection between visual aids and speech delivery.
Many speakers are more nervous about physical delivery than vocal delivery. Putting our bodies on the line in front of an audience often makes us feel more vulnerable than putting our voice out there. Yet most audiences are not as fixated on our physical delivery as we think they are. Knowing this can help relieve some anxiety, but it doesn’t give us a free pass when it comes to physical delivery. We should still practice for physical delivery that enhances our verbal message. Physical delivery of a speech involves nonverbal communication through the face and eyes, gestures, and body movements.