{"id":201,"date":"2022-04-04T15:54:09","date_gmt":"2022-04-04T15:54:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/chapter\/body-language-and-gestures\/"},"modified":"2022-04-04T15:54:09","modified_gmt":"2022-04-04T15:54:09","slug":"body-language-and-gestures","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/chapter\/body-language-and-gestures\/","title":{"raw":"Body Language and Gestures","rendered":"Body Language and Gestures"},"content":{"raw":"\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>Learning Outcomes<\/h3>\n<ul>\n \t<li>Discuss strategies to effectively use body language and gestures to emphasize your message<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<img class=\"alignright wp-image-4877 \" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2785\/2018\/05\/12171748\/gesture.jpg\" alt=\"A man giving a speech raises both his hands to be level with his neck while speaking.\" width=\"300\" height=\"256\">\n\nOne of the essential rules, and success factors, for public speaking is authenticity. This is as true for your non-verbal language as it is of the words you say and the ideas you express. Body language and gestures are a form of expression and can be either meaningful or distracting.\n\nToastmasters International, the global non-profit dedicated to teaching public speaking skills, believes that \u201cgestures are probably the most evocative form of nonverbal communication a speaker can employ.\u201d[footnote]Toastmasters International.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.toastmasters.org\/-\/media\/files\/department-documents\/education-documents\/201-gestures.ashx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Gestures: Your Body Speaks<\/em><\/a>, p. 8<em>.&nbsp;<\/em>2011. Web. 26 Jun 2018.[\/footnote] In their <em>Gestures: Your Body Speaks<\/em> publication, they identify the following seven benefits of incorporating gestures into your speech:[footnote]Ibid.[\/footnote]\n<blockquote>\n<ol>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clarify and support your words<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dramatize your ideas<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lend emphasis and vitality to the spoken word<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Help dissipate nervous tension<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Function as visual aids<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stimulate audience participation<\/li>\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are highly visible<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><strong>Note:<\/strong>The<em> improper <\/em>use of gestures can have<em> just as powerful <\/em>an effect but will likely be<em> detrimental. <\/em>To avoid this, record yourself presenting and make sure your gestures are consistent with your words. When the two are telling different stories, you create confusion and lose credibility and rapport with the audience.<\/div>\nBody language\u2014how you dress as well as your mannerisms\u2014is another powerful communication element. For perspective on this point, and a powerful speaking and life hack, watch social psychologist Amy Cuddy\u2019s \"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ted.com\/talks\/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are<\/a>\"&nbsp;TED Talk. The core idea is that we make judgments based on body language, and those judgments can predict meaningful life outcomes. In one example cited, social scientist Alex Todorov found that one-second judgments of political candidates' faces predict 70 percent of U.S. Senate and gubernatorial race outcomes. What is perhaps more important, however, is that our body language reflects how we judge, think, and feel about ourselves. The key takeaway from this is that our bodies change our minds. That is, we can change&nbsp; not only how we are perceived but how we perceive ourselves by managing our body language. As a speaker, you must be conscious of, and cultivate, the presence you bring to your speech.\n\nTo quote Toastmasters International, \u201cWhen you present a speech, you send two kinds of messages to your audience. While your voice is transmitting a verbal message, a vast amount of information is being visually conveyed by your appearance, your manner, and your physical behavior.\u201d[footnote]Ibid.[\/footnote]\n\nYour use of gestures and body movement should reflect not only your personal communication style but should also match the audience and the environment. A good practice is to \u201cpreview\u201d the attendees or venue by sitting in on a prior event, watching a video, or scanning the event\u2019s social feeds. This will give you a sense for audience dynamics and the size of the room. Certainly ask the event organizers in advance about the setup of the room in which you will speak. Consider adjusting your gestures to fit the audience, room size, and acoustics. For example, you may may want to tone down your gestures in a smaller space and put more emphasis on vocal rather than physical delivery. This doesn\u2019t mean that you should put your personality on \u201cmute\u201d if you\u2019re a naturally ebullient or expressive person. The key is to manage your mannerisms so they don\u2019t overpower either your audience or your words. If the room is a large auditorium filled with enthusiastic fans, you may want to increase your physical presence with gestures to better \"fill\" the space. Rehearse new elements so they become fluid and reinforce rather than detract from your message. Remember that gestures and body language are most effective when they\u2019re used as \u201cvisual punctuation.\u201d\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\n<h3>Practice Question<\/h3>\nhttps:\/\/assessments.lumenlearning.com\/assessments\/8598\n\n<\/div>\n<h2>Contribute!<\/h2><div style=\"margin-bottom: 8px;\">Did you have an idea for improving this content? We\u2019d love your input.<\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1p0k5gRaPYad4DjpoWgl3BbJs4RInqh72_Kc0EJXjl_g\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 600; color: #077fab; text-decoration: none; border: 2px solid #077fab; border-radius: 7px; padding: 5px 25px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; line-height: 1.5em;\">Improve this page<\/a><a style=\"margin-left: 16px;\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1vy-T6DtTF-BbMfpVEI7VP_R7w2A4anzYZLXR8Pk4Fu4\">Learn More<\/a>\n","rendered":"<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>Learning Outcomes<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Discuss strategies to effectively use body language and gestures to emphasize your message<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-4877\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2785\/2018\/05\/12171748\/gesture.jpg\" alt=\"A man giving a speech raises both his hands to be level with his neck while speaking.\" width=\"300\" height=\"256\" \/><\/p>\n<p>One of the essential rules, and success factors, for public speaking is authenticity. This is as true for your non-verbal language as it is of the words you say and the ideas you express. Body language and gestures are a form of expression and can be either meaningful or distracting.<\/p>\n<p>Toastmasters International, the global non-profit dedicated to teaching public speaking skills, believes that \u201cgestures are probably the most evocative form of nonverbal communication a speaker can employ.\u201d<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Toastmasters International.\u00a0Gestures: Your Body Speaks, p. 8.\u00a02011. Web. 26 Jun 2018.\" id=\"return-footnote-201-1\" href=\"#footnote-201-1\" aria-label=\"Footnote 1\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[1]<\/sup><\/a> In their <em>Gestures: Your Body Speaks<\/em> publication, they identify the following seven benefits of incorporating gestures into your speech:<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Ibid.\" id=\"return-footnote-201-2\" href=\"#footnote-201-2\" aria-label=\"Footnote 2\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[2]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clarify and support your words<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dramatize your ideas<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lend emphasis and vitality to the spoken word<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Help dissipate nervous tension<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Function as visual aids<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stimulate audience participation<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are highly visible<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox shaded\"><strong>Note:<\/strong>The<em> improper <\/em>use of gestures can have<em> just as powerful <\/em>an effect but will likely be<em> detrimental. <\/em>To avoid this, record yourself presenting and make sure your gestures are consistent with your words. When the two are telling different stories, you create confusion and lose credibility and rapport with the audience.<\/div>\n<p>Body language\u2014how you dress as well as your mannerisms\u2014is another powerful communication element. For perspective on this point, and a powerful speaking and life hack, watch social psychologist Amy Cuddy\u2019s &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ted.com\/talks\/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are<\/a>&#8221;&nbsp;TED Talk. The core idea is that we make judgments based on body language, and those judgments can predict meaningful life outcomes. In one example cited, social scientist Alex Todorov found that one-second judgments of political candidates&#8217; faces predict 70 percent of U.S. Senate and gubernatorial race outcomes. What is perhaps more important, however, is that our body language reflects how we judge, think, and feel about ourselves. The key takeaway from this is that our bodies change our minds. That is, we can change&nbsp; not only how we are perceived but how we perceive ourselves by managing our body language. As a speaker, you must be conscious of, and cultivate, the presence you bring to your speech.<\/p>\n<p>To quote Toastmasters International, \u201cWhen you present a speech, you send two kinds of messages to your audience. While your voice is transmitting a verbal message, a vast amount of information is being visually conveyed by your appearance, your manner, and your physical behavior.\u201d<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Ibid.\" id=\"return-footnote-201-3\" href=\"#footnote-201-3\" aria-label=\"Footnote 3\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[3]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Your use of gestures and body movement should reflect not only your personal communication style but should also match the audience and the environment. A good practice is to \u201cpreview\u201d the attendees or venue by sitting in on a prior event, watching a video, or scanning the event\u2019s social feeds. This will give you a sense for audience dynamics and the size of the room. Certainly ask the event organizers in advance about the setup of the room in which you will speak. Consider adjusting your gestures to fit the audience, room size, and acoustics. For example, you may may want to tone down your gestures in a smaller space and put more emphasis on vocal rather than physical delivery. This doesn\u2019t mean that you should put your personality on \u201cmute\u201d if you\u2019re a naturally ebullient or expressive person. The key is to manage your mannerisms so they don\u2019t overpower either your audience or your words. If the room is a large auditorium filled with enthusiastic fans, you may want to increase your physical presence with gestures to better &#8220;fill&#8221; the space. Rehearse new elements so they become fluid and reinforce rather than detract from your message. Remember that gestures and body language are most effective when they\u2019re used as \u201cvisual punctuation.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\n<h3>Practice Question<\/h3>\n<p>\t<iframe id=\"lumen_assessment_8598\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/assessments.lumenlearning.com\/assessments\/load?assessment_id=8598&#38;embed=1&#38;external_user_id=&#38;external_context_id=&#38;iframe_resize_id=lumen_assessment_8598\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;width:100%;height:100%;min-height:400px;\"><br \/>\n\t<\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Contribute!<\/h2>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 8px;\">Did you have an idea for improving this content? We\u2019d love your input.<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1p0k5gRaPYad4DjpoWgl3BbJs4RInqh72_Kc0EJXjl_g\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-weight: 600; color: #077fab; text-decoration: none; border: 2px solid #077fab; border-radius: 7px; padding: 5px 25px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; line-height: 1.5em;\">Improve this page<\/a><a style=\"margin-left: 16px;\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1vy-T6DtTF-BbMfpVEI7VP_R7w2A4anzYZLXR8Pk4Fu4\">Learn More<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-201\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Original<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Body Language and Gestures. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Nina Burokas. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Lumen Learning. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Man gesturing while speaking. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Derrick Coetzee. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Frank_Schulenberg_speaking_and_gesturing_4.jpg\">https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Frank_Schulenberg_speaking_and_gesturing_4.jpg<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/about\/cc0\">CC0: No Rights Reserved<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section><hr class=\"before-footnotes clear\" \/><div class=\"footnotes\"><ol><li id=\"footnote-201-1\">Toastmasters International.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.toastmasters.org\/-\/media\/files\/department-documents\/education-documents\/201-gestures.ashx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Gestures: Your Body Speaks<\/em><\/a>, p. 8<em>.&nbsp;<\/em>2011. Web. 26 Jun 2018. <a href=\"#return-footnote-201-1\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 1\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-201-2\">Ibid. <a href=\"#return-footnote-201-2\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 2\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><li id=\"footnote-201-3\">Ibid. <a href=\"#return-footnote-201-3\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 3\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div>","protected":false},"author":395986,"menu_order":9,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"Body Language and Gestures\",\"author\":\"Nina Burokas\",\"organization\":\"Lumen Learning\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Man gesturing while speaking\",\"author\":\"Derrick Coetzee\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Frank_Schulenberg_speaking_and_gesturing_4.jpg\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc0\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"77351bd38ef34008849be503c9202428, cbc7af73d73d4de58979a14540873097","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-201","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":192,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/201","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/395986"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/201\/revisions"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/192"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/201\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=201"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=201"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=201"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/esc-businesscomskills\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=201"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}