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

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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
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Nonverbal Characteristics
 Posture
 Gestures

 Body Movement

 Facial Expressions

 Eye Contact

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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
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Why Gestures?
 Clarify usage of words
 Dramatize ideas

 Reduce tension

 Stimulates audience participation

 Visible

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Types Of Gestures
 Descriptive
 Clarify or enhance a verbal message
 Emphatic
 Underscores a verbal message
 Suggestive
 Symbols of ideas and emotions
 Prompting
 Evoke a desired response
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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
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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

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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
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 The End
Thank you for your time!

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presentation.

Don Larson
dwlarson@mac.com
www.timeoutofmind.com

Photo copyright © 2005 by Donald W. Larson