Verbal and Non-verbal Behaviour

Cambridge University Press eBooks, pp. 87–96

Abstract

When delivering oral presentations, we tend to focus on the content of our presentation and our accompanying audiovisual material. We focus on what we say, and less on how we say it. However, the way a presentation is delivered is probably just as important as its content. A high-quality presentation on paper may not be experienced as such when delivered in a monotonous voice and by a presenter who avoids all eye contact. In this chapter, we will give you some tips to help improve how you deliver your presentation. We will first deal with breathing, which may be of special interest to nervous presenters who tend to have a feeling of light-headedness Error! Bookmark not defined. or simply run out of breath during their presentation. We then turn to of the use of your voice: its volume, intonation, and pace. We will also cover body posture and eye contact.

Authors 2

1. Fieke Harinck Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Universiteit Leiden

2. Esther van Leeuwen Aachen

   Leiden University

   Affiliation as printed

   Universiteit Leiden