Gestures: Matching Motions to Words
Erik Palmer · 2023
Hands move, faces emote, and body positions change. This is typical and natural. Some people use gestures more than others, but it seems that when humans talk, the body moves. This chapter discusses the randomness of gestures. Gestures support words, add drama, and involve the audience. Some speeches have gestures built in. Most people think that gestures only refer to hand motions. As speakers become more relaxed and more confident, the style shows up, and the gestures begin to flow. It is impossible to use a full range of gestures if we are holding note cards or a sheaf of papers. Gestures also can help us get rid of nervous energy.