CMNS 101 Fundamentals of Communication

Nonverbal cues are critical in demonstrating the speaker’s energy in the video presentation. They complement the verbal message by adding emphasis, conveying emotions, and engaging with the audience. Using nonverbal cues can significantly boost your presentation's impact and leave a lasting impression on your audience.

How can you practice adding nonverbal cues for a dynamic video presentation?

• Gestures: Add natural hand and body movements to emphasize points and avoid using the same gesture repeatedly to prevent distractions. Use gestures to illustrate what you are saying (example: “There are three causes of childhood obesity…” while holding three fingers up for your audience to see.)
• Posture: Present a confident posture by sitting or standing tall during your presentation.
• Facial Expressions: Use facial expressions to convey the emotional tone of your message. For example, smile warmly when sharing positive news or widen your eyes to express surprise during a surprising fact or story. Avoid maintaining a neutral face; instead, show enthusiasm and interest to keep the audience engaged and connected to your message.
• Eye Contact: In a video presentation, looking at the camera demonstrates connection with the audience. Avoid staring at the camera by looking away occasionally to make it feel natural.
• Artifacts (Attire): Choose attire that reflects the formality of the topic. Wear solid colors to avoid distractions caused by busy patterns or bright colors.

This chapter describes types of nonverbal communication including gestures, head movement and posture, eye contact, facial expressions, haptics, vocalics, and personal presentation.

This book focuses on nonverbal communication beyond presentation and speech and how it affects everyday communication.