When most people prepare a speech they concentrate on matters of speech writing, structure, content familiarity, getting over butterflies, etc. Overlooked are the little things that will enhance our presentation and add impact to the spoken word. A perfect example is the use of gestures.

Effective communication is more than being well spoken. The few, historically eloquent are able to communicate solely on the power of their oratory and ideas. The rest of us mortals have to consider all available tools to enhance our presentations. Gestures are one of the easiest and closest to home to work on.

First, we must use our hands. Do not stuff them in your pockets, do not stand at parade rest, and do not assume the “fig-leaf” position with your hands clasped in front of you. Your hands are tools to be used to help shape your message. Use them!

Next, consider the text you have prepared. Tailor your gestures to match your remarks. If you mention digging, then pretend to dig. If you mention someone running, you might pump your arms to illustrate the point. Mention carrying-well, you get the idea. Use your imagination to create a useful gesture or act to enhance your comments. Be sure the gesture not only matches what you are saying, but the circumstances. Tone and movement appropriate to a pep rally might not go over well in a sales presentation.

Consider also the size of audience you will be speaking to. A small group will better receive less expansive gestures. On the other hand, if you will be in front of a large group you should increase the breadth of a gesture. A perfect example is seen in the first filmed political speeches. The stemwinding political speech of yesteryear always included big, wide gestures. See on film today, they sometimes seem ludicrous. But remember these speeches were given pre-television, and were given in front of crowds of hundreds and thousands of people who did not have the luxury of in-house screens to better see the speaker. The speaker had to use “large” gestures so that the people at the far reaches of the audience could tell what he was doing.

Be aware also of the smaller gestures, and be sure they make the impression you intend. A perfect example is President Bill Clinton. Watch him speak. When he wants to emphasize a point, or to make a combative declaration, he points his index finger at the audience. A strong, powerful, forceful gesture making a point without reservation. When he is making a point in a less aggressive manner, he will gesture toward the audience by holding his hand as most do to push their ATM card into the machine. Here he is able to make some emphasis, but without confronting or seeming to order the audience.

The smaller gesture also gives a visual flow to the speech. Work through your text and look for opportunities to add small gestures to help add flow to your presentation. An example: you mention a negotiation, a process of give an take. At the same time, you alternatively gesture to the left with your left hand, and to the right with your right hand to illustrate the back and forth between sides. While not a huge gesture, it illustrates the process you are describing and allows you to keep your hands in motion.

Another factor is whether or not there is a lectern. If there is no lectern, you should always have some type of gesture in play, otherwise your hands are just at your side. The presence of a lectern gives you a place where you can rest a hand on occasion and simply use one hand to make a point.

Gestures should be inclusive. Do not keep your arms crossed. Keep your hands apart to you do not inadvertently create a “barrier” between you and your audience. Again, watch President Clinton. You will see that he has a gesture he frequently uses where his arms are up and bent out in front of him, hands open, but not touching. This gesture strikes me as one of openness and inclusion-which certainly is a message we all want to deliver when speaking to a group.

Hand gestures are not the most important part of a speech. They may not be the second or third most important part of a speech. Gestures comprise a tool that if used correctly will add a sizeable boost to your presentations. Gestures add emphasis, flow, and visual impact to the spoken word. The next time you hear a speaker, watch how the hands are used. If he is sticking his hands in his pockets or crossing his arms, just think about how much better he would be if added some action to his speech and used his hands to illustrate and emphasize his point
[First printed in the Burke Conservator in July 2000]