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. [2] X Research source 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. [3] X Expert Source Dan KleinImprovisation Coach Expert Interview. 22 March 2019. [4] X Research source
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.
For example, the “steeple” is when you press your finger tips together to form a gesture that resembles a church steeple. This is a gesture commonly used by superiors talking to subordinates and people like managers and lawyers. It gives off a sign of confidence and conveyance of command over a subject. [7] X Research source
When you have to memorize something, such as a speech, or directions, teach yourself gestures that go with each important moment. Get in the habit of gesturing while you study. People who are taught gestures to accompany new vocabulary and language are more likely to later recall those words later on by using the gestures they have learnt. [9] X Research source When a child is taught a specific hand gesture to accompany new words and sentences, the memory of it is more likely to stick around. [10] X Research source
Squeezing hands together is also a gesture that can convey a “self-soothing” gesture that you are nervous or fearful.
It is recommended keeping your hand gestures in a “box,” while talking to others; a space from the top of your chest to the bottom of your waist. What this means is you should keep within certain parts of your body because then it allows people to keep looking at you and what you’re saying, rather than trying to track your hands. [13] X Research source
If you find yourself unable to come up with what you want to say next, slow your hands down. Perhaps put them in a calming gesture in front of you, as this is better than using wild hand movements to exasperate difficulties communicating.
