Should I stand still or move about when presenting?
As you develop your confidence and speaking ability you will start to wonder about whether or not to move around. Some speakers seem fixed to the lectern whereas others roam around. In my opinion, you can add an extra dimension to your message by using purposeful movement but you have to be aware that random movements can be distracting and annoying.
Side to side movement:
You can suppport your verbal transitions by using different areas of the platform to talk about different aspects of your presentation. If you signpost these different regions spacially as well as verbally in your introduction, your audience will mentally shift perspective as you walk through each element of your speech. However avoid purposeless pacing back and forward.
Movement towards and away from your audience:
Many presenters forget that, they can move into the audience from time to time in order to engage more closely with individuals or groups.
Again you need to synchronise these movements to particualr elements of your presentation. Example: Recently I was rehearsing a speech which contained a rhetorical device called an ascending triad . I looked at part of the audience and said “You have a story with telling.” Then I looked at a different part of the audience and said “You have a story that the members of the audience would love to hear.” finally I looked at a third group and said “You have a story that the world deserves to hear.” Afterwards I realised that I could have strengthened the impact of this opening my moving closer to or even into the audience for each of these statements before moving back for the next part of my speech.
So next time you are planning a speech make some time to think about how you can add impact and engagement by use of purposeful movement.
