Summarize:

Making eye contact with your audience can be tricky when you also have to read the words on a page. Doing so, however, will help you connect with your audience and engage them in what you are saying. When you’re reading aloud, look at the page only briefly if you can, scanning ahead in the text. Then, raise your head and make eye contact with your listeners, repeating the words you’ve just scanned. Keep a finger on the last sentence you read to help you keep your place in the text.  Make sure you sweep the audience when you make eye contact. Look at people in the front, middle, back, and each side of the room. If you have trouble remembering to do this, try making notes in your text to help remind you. Also, make eye contact with specific people. Whichever direction you’re looking, lock eyes with one person while you deliver an entire sentence. This tactic can help you make a deeper connection with your audience. Listening to someone read in monotone is not only boring, but it may make it harder for your listeners to follow along and understand the main ideas of your story. When you’re reading aloud, use inflection, which is where you stress certain words or phrases, and change the pitch, tone, and volume of your voice for effect.  For example, when reading a story, speak in a higher tone during a really exciting part, and a lower tone of voice during parts that are more pensive or sad. If you’re reading a story with several characters, give them each a different voice.  This can be difficult, so decide what each character should sound like and practice their voices ahead of time. While you’re reading, remember to use facial expressions that support the text. You can use facial expressions to show shock, happiness, disappointment, concern, anger, relief, and a myriad of other emotions.  For example, smiling will let your audience know you believe in what you’re reading. In turn, your audience will be more invested.  If you’re reading a passage where there is a surprising or startling event, show that surprise on your face by widening your eyes and opening your mouth. In addition to using body language to convey confidence in your message, like maintaining eye contact and smiling, you can also use body language to help convey the message you are trying to get across from your reading. Move your head, arms, and body in ways that reinforce your point. Make sure any body language you use if purposeful and deliberate. .    An example could be nodding your head up and down while you read a section of text you want the audience to agree with. Avoid body language that doesn’t add to your reading. For example, involuntarily moving your hands while you read with no purpose behind it can be distracting to your audience.
Make eye contact. Animate your voice. Use appropriate facial expressions. Use body language.