by Aeryka Rae

Created on: November 26, 2009   Last Updated: December 01, 2009

There's not much difference between active speaking and active listening. The obvious is: active speaking is made up of verbal and physical communication skills; whereas, active listening involves non-verbal and physical communication skills.

THE ACTIVE SPEAKER

The experienced active speaker is comfortable and confident in front of their audiences. They have the ability to create comfort in others, and are not difficult to listen to. In fact, they are magnetic. They use various techniques to gain the attention, respect and participation of their active listening audiences. These techniques may include:

- Eye Contact

- Smiling

- Tone

- Facial Expressions

- Overall Body Language

- Involving the Audience

- Eye contact is important during active speaking. A confident speaker makes random eye contacts throughout his or her audience. They may focus more on a particular area of the audience they're receiving the most feedback from; shifting their attention back and forth. The not so confident speaker may focus on various objects above the heads of the audience, so not to appear they have 'stage fright'.

- An active speaker appropriately smiles with both lips and eyes when speaking; bringing forth warmth, humor and whatever appeal they choose to convey in the moment. In the modeling world, world-renown model, Tyra Banks calls this type of smiling 'smizing', due to the softness the lips and eyes project.

- The appropriate tone that an active speaker uses is a key technique in delivering the type of message they would hope to convey. For example: a harsh tone is inappropriate for an audience hoping to receive inspiration and encouragement. On the other hand, a strong and tenacious tone is quite appropriate in motivational speaking.

- The appropriate facial expression is an important element we all need to be cognizant of while speaking with others on any level. Oftentimes, a person's facial expression is misinterpreted; lending to unfavorable feedback from their listeners. Some of us have frown lines between the eyebrows that do not help in this case. However, learning how to work the muscles in that area while speaking can create a softer look.

- Overall body language can make or break the active speaker. There is nothing 'active' about an 'inactive' speaker before a large-scale audience. A short and calm pace back and forth across a stage is less boring for an audience to view, and more relaxing for the speaker than someone who is speaking with minimal movement.

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