5.7 Using Nonverbals Effectively
Katherine Dyck
Tips for Using Non-Verbals Effectively
Watch the YouTube video by Alex Lyon about tips for handling your nerves during a presentation. Alex talks about three realizations that can help you (e.g. you don’t look as nervous as you feel) and three tips for handling your nerves (e.g. visualize your 1st moments presenting). Running time 11:51
Read the article from the Institute of Public Speaking on “5 Physical Exercises to Calm Your Nerves Before a Speech.”
Read the blog post “Negative Body Language: 7 Deadly Sins of Nonverbal Communication.”
Read the article from the Harvard Division of Continuing Education on “How to Recognize and Improve Your Default Public Speaking Settings.”
Read the article from Toastmasters International on “10 Strategies to Boost Your Gestures and Body Language.”
Watch the YouTube video by Dominic Colenso about how to improve your breathing during a presentation. Dominic demonstrates how to breathe low and how long to breathe in and out. He invites you to put into practice the breathing techniques as you as watch the video. Running time 4:14
Watch the YouTube video by Elisa James on the the four tips for voice modulation. Running time 7:10
References
Alexander Lyon Communication Coach. (2022, August 22). 3 tips to overcome public speaking anxiety [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PicAsdDQBHo
Cohen, S. D. (2024, January 8). How to recognize & improve your default public speaking settings. Professional & Executive Development. Retrieved June 25, 2026, from https://professional.dce.harvard.edu/blog/how-to-recognize-improve-your-default-public-speaking-settings/#Identifying-Your-Default-Speaking-Settings
Colenso. D. (2015, September 2). Breathing exercises for confident public speaking [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyIoUMwD7Xw
Genard, G. (2020, February 2). Negative body language: 7 deadly sins of nonverbal communication. The Genard Method. https://www.genardmethod.com/blog/negative-body-language-7-deadly-sins-of-nonverbal-communication
Guarino, J. (2020, January 8). 5 physical exercises to calm your nerves before a speech. Institute of Public Speaking. Retrieved June 25, 2026, from https://www.instituteofpublicspeaking.com/5-physical-exercises-calm-nerves-speech/
Toastmaster magazine staff. (2023, April 23). 10 strategies to boost your gestures and body language. Toastmasters International Magazine. https://www.toastmasters.org/magazine/magazine-issues/2023/apr/back-to-the-basics-gestures
The Voice of Confidence – With Elisa James. (2020, November 10). Four tips for voice modulation [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyuuA6aiQfQ
