Meaningful Hand Motions Engage Audiences
Many of us naturally ‘talk with our hands’ as we speak, adding more meaning and emphasis to what we are saying. On the other hand (pun intended), we have all at times been needlessly distracted by speakers who flail their hands in repetitive motions. In order to garner improved audience response, our hand motions should consist of medium gestures and clearly support what we are saying.
To support what we are saying we want to directly connect the hand motion to the meaning of our words. I provided a few suggestions in this article and today I am sharing a video for demonstration.
In this short video by UCSB New Venture Competition winner Evan McCall, founder of RazeMath, you will notice hand motions directly connected to words. Below are his words and my best attempt to describe the hand motions – watch the video to see excellence in action.
This enabling technology is relevant right now – hands parallel and a bit apart with up and down motion
The State of California telling community colleges – right hand up with emphasis, left hand emphasis, bringing right hand down to left hand.
We need you to expedite your degree completion process – left hand circles forward several times
As such we are cancelling your funding – both hand up and then both hands down moving from center outward
Students underprepared in high school are being launched into college courses they are far underprepared for – both hands making an oval down low, left hand making an upward movement with palm up
The time to add meaningful hand motions is after we have our general talking points established. In the process of practicing talking points, I recommend speakers:
- underline words that can be well supported by hand motions
- choose the specific hand motions
- practice making those hand motions during speech rehearsals
“Just like the words in my pitch, every hand motion was practiced with purpose. Each one was meant to enhance meaning and deepen engagement with the audience,” Evan McCall, founder RazeMath.
Hopefully we are all inspired to up our game in hand motions for the next time we speak.