Finding the words to say when delivering a message is only part of the process. Body language is key in that it captures the audience's attention so that they can take in and analyze the point you are trying to get across to them. There are several separate aspects of body language to help support rhetoric in a speech.
Eye Contact
Maintain eye contact with an individual or audience. This helps establish credibility when communicating. Establishing good eye contact, which displays concern or interest in your subject, allows the audience to have a greater degree of respect for the speaker and subject matter. Bad eye contact, which includes staring or failing to make eye contact, shows a lack of interest in the subject.
Posture
Posture is how one positions his body when walking, sitting or standing. Posture can re-enforce the speaker's message and the tone that is set before the audience. Positioning your body with upright posture can help portray confidence and convey a sense of approachability and receptiveness. However, hunching forward or speaking with your back to the audience can reveal boredom, timidity or fatigue.
Gestures
Body movement adds meaning to what you are saying and can make the message stronger during delivery. Failing to incorporate gestures make the audience lose attention, but making motions while speaking keeps them interested and entertained. Be careful not to use gestures too heavily because this can distract the audience from your message.
Facial Expression
Facial expressions help display an individual's investment in the topic of conversation. Facial cues capture an audience by re-enforcing the degree to which the speaker is invested in the topic of conversation. Facial expressions dictate the importance of the subject matter through the level of emotion conveyed. The message and seriousness of the issue dictate the level of demeanor displayed during the course of conversation.
Energy
The level of energy you bring in a speech or conversation can have a consequent effect on the audience. A person with high energy will invigorate his listeners and open up the conversation to those around him, while speaking with low energy may lead to a dull and weaker form of communication.
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