Gestures

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A gesture is a hand, head, or face movement that emphasizes, pantomimes, demonstrates, or calls attention to something.4 Gestures can add flair to your speech delivery, especially when they seem natural rather than overly practiced.5 At the same time, gestures can also backfire. For one thing, not all your listeners will interpret the same gesture—a clenched fist, an open palm, a raised forefinger—in the same way.6 For example, some people see a fist as a symbol of violence, while others consider it a show of forcefulness or determination. If an audience member interprets a particular gesture differently from what you intended, you may inadvertently send the wrong message to that person.

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You should also be aware that gestures may communicate a message that is inconsistent with your verbal message. Former president George H. W. Bush used the same gestures in nearly every presentation in the late 1980s and early 1990s—often enough that creating a parody of his delivery style was easy work for such comedians as Saturday Night Live’s Dana Carvey. The gestures—alternating a jabbing fist with a thrusting open-palmed hand—may have proved effective during addresses calling for strength (for instance, a presentation urging Congress to “get tough” on crime). But when Bush wanted to communicate tenderness or sympathy—for instance, while expressing grief for the victims of a hurricane or speaking lovingly of his family—the jabbing fist (which he perhaps used out of habit) sent the wrong message.

Click the "Next" button to try Video Activity 13.2., “Gestures: Overly Scripted (Needs Improvement).”

In addition to ensuring that your gestures reinforce your spoken message, avoid using distracting gestures born of nervousness—such as stuffing your hands in your pockets; jingling keys or change in your pockets; or fiddling with a watch, ring, or pen. These behaviors can distract audience members to the point that they’ll start focusing more on your gestures than on your speech.

To get the most from gestures, follow these guidelines: