268 13.3 Delivering Your Speech
Since the days of the elocutionists, few speech teachers or public-speaking
texts have advocated specific postures for public speakers. Today we believe that
the specific stance you adopt should come about naturally, as a result of what you
have to say, the environment, and the formality or informality of the occasion. For
example, during a very informal presentation, it may be perfectly appropriate as
well as comfortable and natural to sit on the edge of a desk. Most speech teachers,
however, do not encourage students to sit while delivering classroom speeches.
One study suggests that your stance can reflect on your credibility as a
speaker.^24 Slouching over the lectern, for example, does not project an image of
vitality and interest in your audience. In addition, avoid hunching your shoul-
ders, shifting from foot to foot, or letting your head droop. To help you stand tall
when delivering a speech, here are two tips to keep in mind:
• First, stand up straight, pulling your shoulder blades back just a bit.
• Second, imagine that your head is being held up by a string so that you have
direct eye contact with your listeners while standing tall.
You don’t need to stay frozen in this position. Your posture should not call
attention to itself. Instead, it should reflect your interest in the speaking event
and your attention to the task at hand. But when you find yourself starting to
slump or slouch, pulling your shoulders back and tugging on the imaginary
string will give your posture an immediate positive boost.Facial Expression
Media experts today doubt that Abraham Lincoln would have survived as a
politician in our appearance-conscious age of telegenic politicians. His facial ex-
pression, according to those who saw him, seemed wooden and unvaried.
fuNctIoNs of fAcIAl exPressIoNs Your face plays a key role in ex-
pressing your thoughts and especially your emotions and attitudes.^25 According
to cross-cultural studies by social psychologist Paul Ekman, nearly all people
around the world agree on the general meaning of facial expressions for six pri-
mary emotions: happiness, anger, surprise, sadness, disgust, and fear.^26 Humans
are physically capable of producing thousands of different facial expressions,
but our faces most often express one of these six primary emotions or a blend of
expressions rather than a single emotion. Even a culturally diverse audience will
usually be able to read your emotional expressions clearly.
how to use effectIve fAcIAl exPressIoNs Consider these tips for
monitoring your facial expression:
• Rehearse expressions. When you rehearse your speech, consider standing in
front of a mirror—or better yet, record video of yourself practicing your
speech. Are you allowing your face to communicate the emotional tone of
your thoughts? Be mindful of the emotion that you wish your audience
members to feel.