This document provides guidance on using effective nonverbal communication and gestures when speaking publicly. It discusses the importance of good posture, eye contact, facial expressions, and hand gestures. Specific tips are provided for different types of gestures including emphatic, locative, descriptive, and transitional gestures. Readers are encouraged to practice gestures in front of a mirror and ensure gestures are well-timed, visible to the audience, and appropriate for the message.

1. Chapter 10
The Power of Sight
“Making a Good Impression”
p. 200-208

2. Nonverbal Communication

3. Composure/Poise
• “The bearing of the head/body”
• Presents “ the look of confidence”

4. Good Posture
• Proper alignment of
head, shoulders, &
back
• Helps establish
credibility with
audience
• Results from proper
relaxation & effective
concentration

5. Visual Directness
• Makes good impression
• Establishes good rapport
• Initial visual contact as
you approach platform
• Take a relaxed,
sweeping glance
– Not too slow –
uncomfortable look
– Not too fast – confused
audience

6. Approaching/Leaving Stage
• Eyes are watching you
• First impressions count
• Begins as soon as you’re called
• Ends when next person is called

7. On the Platform
• Delivery
• Verbal & Nonverbal
• How message is delivered
• Supports message

8. Facial Expression
• Conveys meaning to audience
• Facial expressions should be
“natural” and “expressive”

9. Gestures
• Nonverbal delivery in movement
of limbs or body
– Usually moving hands/arms
– Shrugging shoulders

10. 1st Position of a “Gesture”
1. Approach: Arm
comes away from
your side & hand
moves into position

11. 2nd Position of a “Gesture”
2. Hand reaches final
destination & stops
briefly

12. 3rd Position of a “Gesture”
3. The “return” – your
hand & arm come
back to relaxed, initial
position
*A gesture can look bad when
rushed on approach or return.
Relax & take your time!

13. Principles for Using Gestures
1. Well timed
2. Large enough to be seen
3. Appropriate for the idea
being expressed
4. Varied

14. • Distracting, fidgeting
hand & arm movements
• Holding podium
• Hands in pockets
• Clasping hands together
Remember to keep one (if not holding visual aids) or
both hands relaxed at your side when not gesturing.

15. Effective Gestures
• Well-timed – falls on word/idea
being supported
• Large enough for entire
audience to view –Gesture from
elbow, not the wrist
• Appropriate for idea expressed
– Big gestures for little ideas
– Avoid pounding on podium unless
emotion demands
– Avoid using same gesture
repeatedly
– Practice before a mirror to preview

16. Types of Gestures
• Use to accomplish any 4 purposes
– To emphasize
– To describe
– To locate
– To transition

17. Emphatic Gestures Think “emphasis” –
mean what you say!
• Oct. 13, 1960: Former
Soviet Union leader Nikita
Khrushchev took off his shoe
and waved it around &
banged it on his table in
response to another
delegate’s claim against
during a meeting at the U.N.

18. Think “location” –
Locative Gestures pointing direction
• Show where an object’s located
• Direct audience’s attention to a specific
object, person, place (book, those women,
that room)
• Uses index finger or entire hand

19. Descriptive Gestures
• Speaking about something big, small,
round, square
• Gives audience an idea to visualize

20. Transitional Gestures
• Informs audience: Turning to a new
idea
• Sweeps from one side to another,
showing movement

21. Remember When Gesturing
• Let gestures flow from your
thoughts
• The more you relax &
concentrate on your message
• The more natural and effective
gestures will be