Both the verbal and nonverbal communications complement each other. If you want to sound very convincing in any communicative context, both your verbal and nonverbal utterances must point to the same direction. This shows that you mean what you are saying and very sure of yourself. There will not be any need for anyone to question your sincerity or otherwise. For instance, a person verbally saying “no” but nodding their head shows that something is wrong. An observant person will rather be concerned about the nodding of the head than the denial of the accusations.
When body language backs up verbal utterances, it is technically referred to as emphasis. That is, your body is laying emphasis on what the mouth has said. There are various ways in which this is always done. We even do some of the emphasis without paying attention. If you pay close attention to TV presenters, you will discover that they make a spectacular use of emphasis more than other professionals. Since they are aware of the fact that it is only their heads that are in view, so they twist, turn and nod their heads far more than you or I. Before moving further, let me quickly make this clear, when emphasizing in two places, with the voice and with the body, beware of mixed messages. This includes emphasis from one whilst the other remains flat or stationary. Consider this case study as given by Changing Minds, a website dedicated to body language and human development: If I say ‘That’s really great!” whilst standing rigidly to attention, you may be forgiven for concluding that I was not that enthused.
In a bid to use the body for emphasis, there are two basic rules that must be remembered at all times—synchronization and exaggeration. For the synchronization, in order to make emphasis count, you must ensure that they all act together. Your words and intonation must not differ from each other. Also, the bit of your body must also be in line with the intended message. It is just like playing an orchestra, if you fail to get everything play in tune, you will end up having a cacophony that will give just a little of the originally desired results. On the other hand, when trying to exaggerate with the aid of the body, ensure you add volume to whatever it is you are doing. Move such as an arm further and faster. Move the whole body with the arm. Include facial expressions, Changing Minds advises.
When you want to overtly show your passion and energy concerning a given point, big emphasis is the best thing to use. You are not trying to hide your light under a bushel here: the goal is to overpower the other person with the force of your point. Let me be more practical at this point; your words need to also portray big emphasis: use power words while your voice is a little bit raised with some energy backed up with passion. It is very important to note that the other person should not be put under illusion. This is particularly useful when you are on a stage and need to speak with those at the back. Do remember also that it can be intimidating, which is more about coercion, where although you may gain short-term conformance, you may also get longer-term hatred (Changing Minds, 2018).
In order to emphasize with big movements, exaggerate the arm movements by making wide sweeps. Nod or shake your head as it is appropriate, when pointing, make sure you do that with an outstretched arm, move freely about the stage while speaking, sometimes you may create contrast by not moving and then, followed by sudden movement. In big emphasis, you can also make use of stimulated aggression but this should be done once in a while. Some stimulated aggressions are: beating of the arm down in time with the points you are making; pounding of a fist on the table or into palm of the other hand, stamping of a foot and exaggerated facial expressions. In a less hazardous form than simulated aggression, you can use methods of connecting with the person to connect the idea more firmly to them. Some of the ways this is done are: move towards them while making crucial points, reach out towards them, palms curved and up or towards one another as you are handing something to them. If you are close and the social context permits, you may touch them. This should be done lightly at their arm or hand. A stimulated embrace also works wonders here. This can be done by curving your arms with palms inwards as you’re hugging (Changing Minds, 2018).
It isn’t at all times is emphasis made in a big manner; sometimes it is just subtle. This is because big emphasis is not appropriate for all circumstances and if done well, the subtle emphasis can always prove to be unique and more effective. To do this well, it often helps if you are in a relaxed frame of mind and ‘think small and delicate’ as if big emphasis would hurt or damage the other person. In subtle emphasis, the movement should be small. This includes: turns of the wrist, finger movement, slight inclines of the head and subtle facial expression. Changing Minds also affirms that one also do subtlety through the static shapes into which you put your body, for example: cupped palm, as if you are holding something delicate; rounded arms, as if you are embracing your co-interlocutor; pointing feet, legs and arms in an intentional direction.
With the use of nonverbal communication, you can also control a conversation. Conversation is a process of turn-taking in talking. Non-verbal signals are used a great deal in requesting, offering and managing control of who is speaking. Some of the ways in which this occurs are: butting into speech with the aim of taking control; speaking faster or louder with the intention of dominating the conversation and pausing to give others the opportunity to express themselves (Changing Minds, 2018).
References
Changing Minds (2018).Emphasis in Body Language. Retrieved from http://changingminds.org/techniques/body/emphasis_body.htm
Changing Minds (2018).Use of Non-Verbal Communications. Retrieved from http://changingminds.org/explanations/behaviors/body_language/using_non-verbal.htm
Mathilde, A (2018). The Importance of Body Language for Communication. Retrieved from https://www.mosalingua.com/en/body-language-importance/
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