What are suggestive gestures?

Suggestive gestures – These are the gestures you use to suggest emotion, even when it's not spoken. They're similar to emotional gestures because they usually involve more of your body than just your hands. An example of a suggestive gesture is crossing your arms to suggest apathy.

publicspeakingclasses.com - Using Gestures Effectively During Public Speaking

Why are air signs so detached?

However, because the air signs favor their minds so greatly, that can lead them to be quite detached from their emotions, as they process...

Last updated Nov 29, 2020

Which king married his mother?

Oedipus When Oedipus grew to manhood, a prophet warned him that he would kill his father and marry his mother. Not knowing that he had been...

Last updated Dec 5, 2022

Do you really know who the “One” is? Your true Soulmate?

Promotion

Gestures Are Important to Get Your Message Across

One important way to help your audience understand what you’re trying to say is through hand gestures. That may seem like a strange thing to say—after all, if your message is clear it’s the words you use that should relay your point, right?

That’s true, but keeping in mind people remember more of what they see than what they hear, it’s your hand gestures that reinforce the words you say, and it’s your body language that provides an indication of how you feel.

Natural Gestures Versus The Robot

Gesturing is a natural communication tool. In a study conducted by the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, researchers found that children who use more hand gestures at 18 months old have greater language abilities later on. Another study showed people are naturally inclined to listen more closely to people who people who use hand gestures. When it comes to public speaking, gesturing is as important as good eye contact and an even voice. But for some reason, a lot of people suddenly forget how to gesture once they’re put in front of an audience. They find it difficult to gesture appropriately and at the right time. What ends up happening is their gestures during public speaking look deliberate and unnatural. A sincere gesture involves the entire body and should have a facial expression to match. Consider the body language of someone you meet up with who hasn’t seen you in a while. Their arms are outstretched as they walk towards you to greet you with a warm hug. Do they approach you with a scowl on their face? Probably not.

How To Gesture Effectively

First, imagine you’re standing behind an invisible box that stretches from your neck to your waist and six inches on either side of you. You’re in control as long as your hands remain inside that invisible box. This space is front and center to you and your audience and once you stray outside of it, you run the risk of your hands becoming a distraction. Next, keep your hand gestures natural. No one’s hands are constantly moving when they speak; they only use their hands when they want to punctuate certain words or describe things. It’s the same when you’re public speaking: Gesturing shouldn’t look awkward or feel forced. If it does, that’s what your audience is going to remember about your presentation.

The Big Five

Which planet looks beautiful?

planet Saturn The planet Saturn: truly massive and stunningly beautiful with its rings. It's also home to amazing moons like Titan. The planet...

Last updated Mar 9, 2020

What age do most people meet their wife?

It's 27. That's right. The average age people meet their lifelong partner is 27 years old, according to a new survey from Match.com. The survey,...

Last updated Apr 23, 2022

Promotion

There are five main types of gestures that are appropriate for public speaking and they’re appropriate because you see them every day. In fact, I’d wager you don’t even realize you do them all the time. Descriptive gestures – These are the gestures you use to describe a thing or a situation. Fish tales are usually punctuated with descriptive gestures. (“You should have seen the one that got away!”) You might also use descriptive gestures to describe how something moves. Emotional gestures – These are the gestures you use to describe a feeling. For example, if you’re describing someone who’s depressed, you might slump your shoulders. If you’re describing being afraid, you might cower. Emotional gestures are great because when you use them, you appear more genuine. Symbolic gestures – These are the gestures you use to indicate words, numbers or position. Some say anytime you’re communicating a number under five, you should use your fingers because it offers a natural visual that reinforces the number. Other examples of symbolic gestures are giving a thumbs up or a thumbs down and giving the finger. (But don’t do that in your presentation!) Suggestive gestures – These are the gestures you use to suggest emotion, even when it’s not spoken. They’re similar to emotional gestures because they usually involve more of your body than just your hands. An example of a suggestive gesture is crossing your arms to suggest apathy. Prompting gestures – These are the gestures you use to encourage others to do the same. Unlike the previous four, these probably aren’t gestures you use in everyday conversation, unless you go around telling people “Raise your hand if…” (and you raise your hand first to encourage your listener to raise their hand too). Bonus tip: Pointing is a terrible gesture! Don’t ever point—to yourself and certainly not to anyone else. Use an open palm instead.

Gestures During Public Speaking

It’s important for you to let your hands do some of the talking when you’re public speaking, but it’s even more important for you to practice how you’ll gesture so that you can use these movements with purpose to engage your audience and help them understand and remember your message. Are you following us on social media yet? You’ll find a lot of great advice and tips on public speaking on our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Google+ pages. Check us out!

publicspeakingclasses.com - Using Gestures Effectively During Public Speaking

What is inappropriate flirting?

Deliberately Touching Someone Yet, frequently and purposely touching someone in a provocative way–like caressing their hand or giving them a tight...

Last updated Feb 8, 2018

What does ❤ mean in texting?

The red heart emoji is used in warm emotional contexts. It can be used to express gratitude, love, happiness, hope, or even flirtatiousness. Mar 1,...

Last updated Aug 7, 2020

Promotion

What cream grows hair faster?

Try using products containing Minoxidil. Minoxidil, the active ingredient in Rogaine, isn't just for those who have experienced hair loss. It can...

Last updated Sep 21, 2018

Promotion

What zodiac signs are introverts?

Which signs are the introverts of the zodiac? Virgo, Pisces, Capricorn, Cancer and Scorpio - even Aquarius to a degree. Also the gender of the...

Last updated Jun 2, 2019