Page 58 - English_F5

English

Posture: Posture shows how you position your body when standing, sitting or walking.
Posture communicates a visual message to an audience. It reflects your attitude and tells
your audience whether you are self-confident or not. Use effective poise and posture
by standing at ease, balanced, and upright while facing the audience. Doing so helps
you to feel calm and confident. It also demonstrates a high status or regard the audience
should feel you have, which is important to make them listen to you. Effective posture
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also helps you to breathe properly and project your voice effectively. It also provides a
starting point to use gestures and move your body in any direction.
Gestures: A gesture is a movement of the body, hands, arms, head, etc. to express,
emphisise or highlight points, ideas or feelings. It is used to reinforce verbal messages.
Use hand and finger movements to draw attention to what you are saying and to the
important parts of your speech. Hand gestures often help to emphasise certain points
of your speech and strengthen the audience’s understanding of your verbal message. In
addition, they make your speech more compelling and trustworthy. They also help the
audience connect better to the points you underscore. Therefore, do not put your hands
in your pockets all the time or behind your back when you deliver a speech.

However, it is worth noting that the use of gestures in communication varies from one
culture to another. The specific gestures we make and the meanings we attach to them
are products of cultural training. Since cultures differ, use gestures according to the
culture of your audience.
For effective speech delivery, your gestures must be purposeful. They must mean the
same thing to you and your audience and they must reflect what you are saying.

Confidence: Demonstrate self-confidence by avoiding stage fear and nervousness to
speak with more clarity and authority. Exuding self-confidence will show mastery of
the topic and your audience will understand your speech better. Self-confidence during
speech delivery will ensure that you give the best presentation possible and make you
stand out.
Answering questions: The audience may need clarifications or want to challenge your
presentation with many questions. Do not get angry or feel attacked when the audience
asks questions, regardless of the nature of the queries they raise. Control your temper and
anxiety to respond logically and precisely to each question. Thus, you should prepare
adequately and thoroughly understand your presentation. Be naturally confident and
brief when responding to the questions. It can be challenging at the beginning, but you
will manage.

(b) Describe how the following can affect one’s understanding of a speech presentation:
1. Inappropriate dress of the speaker
2. Overcrowded venue
3. Speaker’s lack of self-confidence
4. Speaker’s lack of adequate preparation
5. Inappropriate choice of words

Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE) 49 Form Five

24/06/2024 22:26
ENGLISH FORM 5.indd 49 24/06/2024 22:26
ENGLISH FORM 5.indd 49