Why Eye Contact?

The eyes, more than any other part of the body, reveal your mental process.  If they wander, we the audience feels your mind is wandering.  If they search, we feel your mind is searching.  And if they focus strongly, we feel your mind is focused strongly.

Find a focus that reflects clearly as possible the way the mind is functioning.
If your focus wanders, or is self-conscious, the mind of the audience will do likewise, whether consciously or not.  Wandering, uncertain, or generalized focus is eye-body-mind language that says there is nothing of sufficient interest to think about.

When your focus of concentration shifts in your presentation, signal the shift by using vocal tone, vocal duration, pitch along with a verbal transitions. This creates a greater level of interest on the part of your listener.

The use of effective eye contact signals the right focus.  It also points to your right level of intention.

A practice to use is called One Thought to One Person. Deliver a full thought – that is a sentence or a phrase – to one person holding eye contact. Then give eye contact to another person and deliver another thought.  This alone will boost your engagement and your presence with the audience.