Should a speaker make gestures when speaking in public? That directly depends on the gesture and how it relates to what the speaker is saying. The impact of public speaking rests almost solely in the speaker’s ability to present their point in a clear and convincing manner. A gesturing speaker can either make their point with impact or take away from the message they’re trying to get across. For that reason, it’s vitally important that any student of public speaking learn how to gesture properly before they ever set foot on a podium.

It is an undeniable fact that today’s public speakers are encouraged to make fewer gestures when giving a speech that they have been in years past. The days of Bible banging preachers are long gone, replaced by the conventional wisdom that when it comes to public speaking, more is less. A speaker that can enforce the meaning behind a phrase with suitable gesturing should feel free to incorporate said movements into their speaking habits.

The student who has not yet mastered the art of effective gesturing , on the other hand, should approach the practice with extreme caution. Excessive gesturing distracts from the impact of the speaker’s words, and senseless movements such as the jerky, agitated pokes and twitches that result from a severe case of nerves should be avoided completely. The grandiose flourishes that were so well received on the stage lose a great deal of their effect in public speaking, making the speaker appear more of a fool than an effective messenger.

The location of the hands when the speaker is speaking is a tremendous indicator of the speaker’s feelings and motivation. Consequently, it is important that a speaker be aware of the position and movement of their hands at all times. The hands should not be on the hips, in the pockets, folded across the chest or tucked behind the back. Instead, they should be relaxed and visible.

Speakers are strongly encouraged to use their hands and arms to make their point. Shoulder gestures are the easiest to see across the room, and they will help to release some of the telltale tension that many speakers have when faced with an audience to present a relaxed and confident appearance. Shifting position or moving the feet while talking are also common practices, and they can be very effective when properly corresponded with a pause in delivery.

The most important thing to remember about gestures and public speaking is that they should be spontaneous. A practiced gesture is very easy to spot because of its stilted nature, and the moment an audience sees this they’ll know they are listening to a puppet reciting its lines rather than a person with ideas and enthusiasm. A speaker should not rehearse their gestures, allowing their body to move naturally to their words and emotions (with the exception of the “red flags” mentioned above).

A speaker that is confident, relaxed and who naturally corresponds their gestures to their words will enjoy a tremendous amount of success over the course of their public speaking career.

My Name Is Christopher Carlin And I Want To Give You Twenty Free Public Speaking Tips