Eye contact
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Transcript of Eye contact
Public Speaking: Eye-Contact
Eye contact occurs when two people look at each other's eyes at the same time.
Eye contact is a form of nonverbal communication and is thought to have a large influence on social behavior.
From Wikipedia.com
• Eye-contact signifies interest in what another person has to say. When a person looks away it’s often a sign that they are not interested.
• Have you ever tried to have a conversation with someone but they don’t look directly at you? Did you feel that the person was really listening?
• Reading a speech from written notes makes the audience feel that you are not talking to them, but at them.
• Make eye-contact to show the audience you are speaking to THEM.
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Maintain eye-contact with each person for 3-5 seconds. Staring too long at one person makes that person very uncomfortable and excludes everyone else.
You also want to avoid running your eyes across the audience at a rapid pace, this is just creepy!
Eye-contact often signifies honesty. People who lie usually can’t help but look away but someone who is honest has no hesitation looking at listeners.
The audience feels that a speaker who looks at them is more credible.
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When you make eye-contact with others a form of bonding occurs. The audience feels that they are a part of your speech and want to listen.
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Eye-contact keeps the audience focused on your message.
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Top Tip: As you look at each person imagine you are having an individual conversation with them.
This helps you to feel and act more natural.
Caravaggio: The Fortun
Caravaggio: The Fortune Teller.
Summary
Eye-contact is a powerful form of non-verbal communication.
Use Eye-contact to make your speech a success