Leave that deadpan expression to poker players. A good speaker realizes that fa-cial expressions are important for effective communication. In fact, they are often the key determinant of the meaning behind the message. People watch a speaker’s face during a talk. When you speak, your face communicates your attitudes, feelings, and emotions.

Dr. Paul Ekman of the University of California has made a career of studying facial expressions and animation. He mapped out a technique called the facial action coding system, FACS, based on the role facial muscles play in expressing emotions. Ek- man’s research indicates seven emotional expressions: sadness, happiness, anger, interest, fear, contempt, and surprise. A list of helpful tips:

Be yourself. Don’t copy someone else’s facial expression. Just because your favourite speaker starts his talks by telling a story using exaggerated facial expressions doesn’t mean it will work for you.

Don’t overdo it. Some people try to control their facial expressions by forcing themselves to smile or use an expression that isn’t natural to them. Watch out for fake expressions that have a negative impact on your speech.

Practise before a mirror. Notice your expres-sions. Study how to control them. Ask yourself: do they match my words? While practising, see if your expressions convey the mood you want to create. If your face isn’t showing any emotion, stop, refocus, and try again.

Think about what you are saying. Focus on your message and your facial expressions will follow.

Smile before you begin. The one international non-verbal expression understood by all is a smile. Smiling before you speak warms up your audience and at the end it puts your audience at ease.