Good Use of Body & Hand Gestures: The 7th of the 7 Techniques Utilized by Effective Public Speakers & Storytellers

Storytellers and all public speakers need to use good storytelling techniques. There are seven key techniques that all effective public speakers need to employ:

1. Good Eye-Contact

2. No Distracting Motions

3. Good Enthusiasm & Expression

4. Good Preparation

5. Good Use of Voice & Good Volume

6. Appropriate Talking Speed

7. Good Use of Body & Hand Gestures

This article will address the importance of using good use of body and hand gestures when you perform.

Using appropriate action and hand movements can really help a story become more real. Naturally, your body and hand gestures should be coordinated to the story line.

You must decide if you will stand or sit while telling your story. Voices often project further while in a standing position.

As I used to tell my students, "Be a Star!" Stand and move around the stage while you perform; however, only move if it is necessary for the character to go from one place to another. Don't just move or pace for the sake of moving.

Using lots of action and hand gestures to fit your tale can make your story come alive.

Show! Don't tell!

Don't just say the character went to the store. Walk a few feet stage right or stage left to walk him or her to the store. Don't just say, "The farmer called for his wife." Show us by impersonating the farmer and call out: "Wife! Wife! Would you come out here, please?" Then impersonate the wife as you respond to his request.

Practice your stories in front of a mirror. Look for those places in your story where you could mime actions like knocking on a door, demonstrating the size of an object, swinging an axe or golf club, and so forth. Also, the direction you look with your eyes can really add emphasis to a scene. For example, perhaps a farmer found a gigantic carrot growing in his garden. How tall is this carrot? Is it three feet tall, six feet tall, or nine feet tall? By tilting your head in the appropriate direction and using the direction of your gaze, you can demonstrate the dimensions of this extraordinary carrot.

As a child, I loved to try out different facial expressions in my full-length mirror as I would pretend to bring fairy tale and folk tale characters to life. While staring at yourself in the mirror, practice facial expressions that will convey the following emotions and emotional reactions: fear, dread, feeling nervous, being startled, having butterflies in your stomach in a bad way or in a good way, anger, rage, being happy, being content, being excited, feeling love, and so on.

Another way to add emphasis to your story is to pick a particular posture for each character in your tale. Is one character old and stooped? Is another character slump-shouldered and meek? Does another character walk around with perfect posture? Do some characters walk and speak very slowly? Do other characters move around rather erratically and speak very fast and clipped? Have fun as you work to bring each character in your story to life.

Unlock The Key To Effective And Positive Communication Techniques Using The 7 Techniques Utilized By Effective Public Speakers & Storytellers

As you know, people communicate in many forms, some of which include one-on-one, one in front of a group, one as part of a group, using body language and other forms of non-verbal communication, and in written form.

People need to foster effective communication skills for many reasons, including maintaining positive friendships and business relationships, to get across one's ideas in a convincing and effective manner to a small or large group of people, to be a good team player, to have a successful job interview, and to get more comfortable communicating one's ideas effectively in any type setting.

The seven attributes or tools listed below are not just part of a successful storytelling performance, they are also incorporated in any truly effective form of oral communication:

1. Good Eye-Contact

2. No Distracting Motions

3. Good Enthusiasm & Expression

4. Good Preparation

5. Good Use of Voice & Good Volume

6. Appropriate Talking Speed

7. Good Use of Body & Hand Gestures

IN CONCLUSION

In the first article in this series called The 7 Techniques Utilized By Effective Public Speakers & Storytellers, I asked the K and W Questions for the K-W-L Model:

K Question: What do you already KNOW about performing a story or giving a speech or a report in front of others?

W Question: What do you WANT TO KNOW about performing a story or giving a speech or a report in front of others? What do you WANT TO KNOW about public speaking that would help you sound and feel successful giving an oral presentation of any type?

This was followed by seven articles addressing each of those seven techniques. Here's the links to each article plus more:

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Return to Hub page for "Storytelling Tips & Tricks Hub page."
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To end this particular article series, I will ask the wrap-up question of the K-W-L Model. For the L question of the K-W-L Model, what did you LEARN about telling a story or giving a speech or report in front of others?

I would love to hear any comments you would care to share about what you learned from this article series. Also, feel free to share your success and horror stories as a public speaker and storyteller.

May all your stories be good ones. Thanks for reading. Have a wonderful day!