Lesson 4. Preparing for Oral Presentations
Effective Communication (IS-242.b)
February 2014 Instructor Guide Page 4.17
Job Aid: Tips for Media Interviews (Continued)
Nonverbal Communication
Eye contact: Look at the reporter, not the camera. Avoid looking down. Avoid rolling your
eyes or looking up.
Voice: Speak clearly and modulate your voice by varying tone and volume. Slow down for
emphasis when making important points.
Expression: Appear attentive. Show emotion as appropriate (sincerity). Remember that
the camera is always on. Make sure your facial expression is conveying the right message.
Body position: Stand straight and align your body with the interviewer.
Gestures: Use natural, but not “big” gestures. Keep your hands away from your face; do
not cross your arms, raise your eyebrows, or shrug your shoulders. Avoid jerky or sudden
movements.
Movement: If standing, do not lock your knees, sway, bounce, or jingle jewelry or change
in pockets. If sitting, don’t jiggle legs, or spin or rock in the chair. Sit on your coat tail to
keep your jacket from riding up.
Forming Your Responses
DO:
Listen before you respond.
Know what you want to say and repeat your key
message at every opportunity.
Use language that everyone will understand.
Use examples and analogies to help explain
difficult concepts.
Keep your answers short.
Be positive, yet realistic. Turn a negative
question around and answer it in the positive.
Show compassion and empathy, as appropriate.
Use transitional phrases to bring the discussion
back to your message, such as “What is most
important is,” “What we should focus on is,”
“What the public should know is,” or “The point
(or goal) is.”
Whenever possible, summarize your key points
at the end of the interview and direct the
audience to your Web site or social networking
page for updates.
DON’T:
Don’t use jargon or “insider” terms.
Don’t use fillers such as “um,” “er,” or
“you know.”
Don’t speculate or discuss
hypothetical situations.
Don’t respond for other agencies.
Don’t use glib or negative language.
Don’t say anything “off the record.”
Don’t say anything you wouldn’t want
to see in the news media.
Don’t say “No Comment.”