Making Good Eye Contact: The 1st of the 7 Techniques Utilized by Effective Public Speakers & Storytellers

1. Good Eye-Contact

2. No Distracting Motions

3. Good Enthusiasm & Expression

4. Good Preparation

5. Good Use of Voice & Good Volume

6. Appropriate Talking Speed

7. Good Use of Body & Hand Gestures

This article will address the use of making good eye contact.

The top of the list-making EYE CONTACT- is the one I consider to be the most important. For one thing, making eye contact is what makes an actor on a stage different from a storyteller.

Have you ever seen a play? Have you ever been in a play?

In most plays, unless it is a play like "Our Town," the actors don't actually have to look into the audience and make eye contact. They can simply do whatever it is they are doing on the stage, and the audience looks through what is called the invisible fourth wall and watches them.

But with storytelling, making eye contact is what it is all about. Storytelling is a very intimate activity, no matter whether you have an audience of one or an audience of 1000.

For one thing, when a storyteller makes eye contact with his or her audience, it helps encourage the audience to feel as if they are part of the story being told.

Each time a storyteller makes eye contact with a member of an audience, it is almost like he or she is saying, "You are the only one I am telling this story to." Then the speaker looks at another audience member and makes another connection. Each time a storyteller does this, it is almost like he or she is pulling that person up on the stage to join in the story. The storyteller keeps working at making those connections with the audience until each member feels like he or she is helping to bring that story to life.

The very best, best, best, best, best part of making good EYE CONTACT with the audience is that it is a tool that you can use to bluff or psyche the audience into believing that you are not feeling nervous, should you happen to be feeling nervous. For when people see a storyteller making eye contact, they think, "No way can that person be nervous. He or she is actually looking at me. Well, let's see what he or she has to say." Then the storyteller notices people's faces getting that responsive, listening look and the storyteller thinks, "Hey, they are actually listening to me. This is kind of fun." Eventually the storyteller forgets to be nervous.

When you have the opportunity to tell a story or give a speech or report, force yourself to make eye contact with everybody in the room, even if it is only for a split second. You may feel nervous during the first few words or sentences out of your mouth. But if you use this technique consistently, you will forget to feel nervous.

From 1998 to 2003, I taught a Communication Skills class at Clinton Middle School in Anderson County, Tennessee. This related arts class taught sixth, seventh, and eighth graders to utilize Conflict Resolution strategies, Character Education techniques, and good Public Speaking Skills. I created the curriculum from scratch. The following story about the benefits of making good eye contact was from my curriculum.

This story called "Josh Takes A Risk" is about a fictional past student of mine utilizing the technique of using eye contact to increase his comfort level as a storyteller.

As you read this story, you might want to think about the following Bloom's Taxonomy questions:

Knowledge: Identify what you can do to make yourself feel more comfortable telling a story in front of others.

Comprehension: Describe exactly what you can do to add to your comfort level performing in front of others.

Application: Give an example or demonstrate what your audience members can do to help you feel more comfortable when you get up to tell your story.

Analysis: Compare and contrast what your performance will be like if your audience members do not try to be good and supportive listeners.

Synthesis: Predict how your audience members will treat you when you perform if you are not a good and supportive listener when they have to tell their stories.

Evaluation: Select the top three things you should do to show your fellow storytellers that you are being a good and supportive listener.

Josh Takes A Risk

1998 by Debbie Dunn

Josh turned to his friend, Cory, and said, "Cory, I don't feel so good!"

Concerned, Cory asked, "What's wrong?"

"My stomach feels like it is doing somersaults. I'm all jittery and my hands are sweating."

"Yeah, I can relate. I felt a bit like that yesterday when I had to get up and tell my story. But when I made myself make that eye contact with everybody, it actually got easier. When people started laughing at the comedy pieces I put in, it made me feel pretty good. By the end of my story, I was actually having fun."

"Are you just jiving me or are you for real?" Josh asked.

"I'm for real, man," Cory said. "In fact, I'm kind of looking forward to telling another story."

Josh admitted, "You did do a good job. I admire your courage for getting up. I just don't know if I can do it."

"Come on, Josh. It will be fine. Just do it! You'll get a good grade and you'll be showing off your courage."

"Well, I'll think about it," Josh hedged.

Fifth period finally came. The teacher first called for volunteers. When no one raised their hand, she started calling on various students to go. Finally, she called on Josh.

Josh felt his stomach leap. His first impulse was to refuse and take a zero. But when he noticed Cory's supportive expression, he decided to be brave.

Cory led the applause when he saw his friend get up. Josh was too nervous to notice.

Slowly, Josh walked to the front of the room. He turned and felt his mind go blank for a moment. The teacher helped him out by suggesting the first few words of the story, "Once there was a farmer who found a seed."

Josh repeated those words and then suddenly he was off and running. The ideas came to him of exactly what he needed to say next. Once he was sure of his words, he began to look around. Making eye contact with Cory and the teacher was easy.

Then Josh risked making eye contact with some of his fellow classmates. He could tell that they were listening intently. Sure enough, his comfort level grew.

When Josh completed his story, Cory again led the class in a round of applause. "Yeah, Josh!" he called out.

Josh found himself feeling pretty proud. Though he wasn't chomping at the bit to get up again like Cory was, he was feeling a lot calmer about the idea.

As Josh told Cory later, "That really wasn't half bad. Thanks for encouraging me, buddy."

"No problem, Josh. Besides, you did a great job."

Pleased, Josh smiled and said, "Thanks, Cory. I'll see you tomorrow."

As Josh boarded his bus, he found himself looking forward to bragging to his Mom that he had successfully told his first story.

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