How to Use Hand Gestures Effectively
Use hand gestures to add emphasis to speech., Use open hands and palms up for a positive effect., Keep hands behind your back to show confidence.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Use hand gestures to add emphasis to speech.
Hand gestures can be a way to add more force to what you're saying.
These are often known as "illustrative gestures." It can be used to convey intensity, confidence, and even be used to garner attention to a point you're trying to make.Use a solid shaking fist to knock home an extremely important point you're trying to make.
Be careful to not use an irritated voice to accompany it or it can come off as anger.
If you are giving a presentation, use your hand to highlight a particular paragraph or slide that contains important information.
Pointing can be used to literally make a point , or to accompany something like, "This one's important," or "Let me tell you." It can also be used as playful gesture to acknowledge someone.
Be careful about pointing directly at someone, though, as this can come off as rude or even aggressive.Make sure your hand gestures match up to your speech.
Do not try to add emphasis to a point that is not worth emphasizing, or add force to a point that is not meant to be forceful. -
Step 2: Use open hands and palms up for a positive effect.
Whether you're speaking in front of a large group of people or one individual, hands facing up usually invite positive responses from people.
Combined with an outstretching of your arms, it can communicate effectiveness, acceptance, and trustworthiness.If you use this gesture with a shrugging of the shoulders it can give off a feeling of uncertainty, so you will also want to monitor other parts of your body, too.
Palms down typically gives others a feeling of confidence because they give you an aura of confidence or even dominance. , Much like hands up front can show defensiveness, hands behind the back with an exposed torso shows confidence.
This is especially an effective hand gesture if you are walking side-by-side with someone and communicating with them.
This demonstrates that you are open to making yourself vulnerable, and not worried about protecting yourself with your hands.
This gesture is especially useful to gain someone's trust. -
Step 3: Keep hands behind your back to show confidence.
Detailed Guide
Hand gestures can be a way to add more force to what you're saying.
These are often known as "illustrative gestures." It can be used to convey intensity, confidence, and even be used to garner attention to a point you're trying to make.Use a solid shaking fist to knock home an extremely important point you're trying to make.
Be careful to not use an irritated voice to accompany it or it can come off as anger.
If you are giving a presentation, use your hand to highlight a particular paragraph or slide that contains important information.
Pointing can be used to literally make a point , or to accompany something like, "This one's important," or "Let me tell you." It can also be used as playful gesture to acknowledge someone.
Be careful about pointing directly at someone, though, as this can come off as rude or even aggressive.Make sure your hand gestures match up to your speech.
Do not try to add emphasis to a point that is not worth emphasizing, or add force to a point that is not meant to be forceful.
Whether you're speaking in front of a large group of people or one individual, hands facing up usually invite positive responses from people.
Combined with an outstretching of your arms, it can communicate effectiveness, acceptance, and trustworthiness.If you use this gesture with a shrugging of the shoulders it can give off a feeling of uncertainty, so you will also want to monitor other parts of your body, too.
Palms down typically gives others a feeling of confidence because they give you an aura of confidence or even dominance. , Much like hands up front can show defensiveness, hands behind the back with an exposed torso shows confidence.
This is especially an effective hand gesture if you are walking side-by-side with someone and communicating with them.
This demonstrates that you are open to making yourself vulnerable, and not worried about protecting yourself with your hands.
This gesture is especially useful to gain someone's trust.
About the Author
Stephanie Gonzales
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow creative arts tutorials.
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