Gestures and Body Movements 2 By Aparna Vemuri (CTM) and Donald W. Larson (CTM, CL) October 7, 2006
Source Material Gestures: Your Body Speaks How to Become Skilled in Nonverbal Communication Copyright © 1996 Toastmasters International Catalog No. 201 Click mouse to continue
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 Click mouse to continue
Nonverbal Characteristics Posture Gestures Body Movement Facial Expressions Eye Contact Click mouse to continue
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 Click mouse to continue
Why Gestures? Clarify usage of words Dramatize ideas Reduce tension Stimulates audience participation Visible Click mouse to continue
Types Of Gestures Descriptive Emphatic Suggestive Prompting Clarify or enhance a verbal message Emphatic Underscores a verbal message Suggestive Symbols of ideas and emotions Prompting Evoke a desired response Click mouse to continue
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 Click mouse to continue
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 Click mouse to continue
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 Click mouse to continue
Interactive Exercises Yes, This Means You!