Gestures and Body Movements

By

Lela M. Hankins
and

Donald W. Larson
May 7, 2005

Source Material

Gestures: Your Body Speaks

How to Become Skilled in
Nonverbal Communication
Copyright 1996 Toastmasters
International
Catalog No. 201

Clickmousetocontinue

Nonverbal Communication
Over half of communication by a
speaker occurs nonverbally
Your body is an effective instrument
for conveying information
Sensible combinations of verbal and
nonverbal communication enables
your listeners to better understand
your message

Clickmousetocontinue

Nonverbal Characteristics
Posture
Gestures
Body Movement
Facial Expressions
Eye Contact

Clickmousetocontinue

Empathy
Look at your audience
Support your words with appropriate
nonverbal signals:
Smile when you wish to convey
pleasant ideas
Frown when you express
dissatisfaction

Clickmousetocontinue

Why Gestures?
Clarify usage of words
Dramatize ideas
Reduce tension
Stimulates audience participation
Visible

Clickmousetocontinue

Types Of Gestures

Descriptive

Emphatic

Underscores a verbal message

Suggestive

Clarify or enhance a verbal message

Symbols of ideas and emotions

Prompting

Evoke a desired response

Clickmousetocontinue

Body Movement

Balance movements with verbal cues

Avoid random movements
Step forward to indicate you are arriving at
a point
Step back when concluding a point and
signals the audience they can relax
momentarily
Always lead with your foot nearest your
destination

Clickmousetocontinue

Facial Expressions
Your face is watched whenever you
speak
Often the key determinant of the
meaning behind a message
Communicates your attitudes,
feelings, and emotions more so than
any other part of your body

Clickmousetocontinue

Eye Contact
Most powerful feature after voice
Establish a bond
Look at your audience to convey your
sincerity of the message
You will increase their attention to
you by sufficient eye contact
Provides you feedback and helps you
relax

Clickmousetocontinue

The End
Thank you for your time!
Click your mouse-button
to end this
presentation.
Don Larson
dwlarson@mac.com
www.timeoutofmind.com

Photocopyright2005byDonaldW.Larson