6 rules for using gestures in presentations

Audiences like speakers who talk with their hands, but not every gesture is a good one. Follow these tips to ensure your hand movements are enhancing—not sabotaging—your speech.

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Research shows that audiences view presenters who gesture as more effective and competent than those who keep their hands still.

Consider this: According to The Washington Post, the least-watched TED talks have an average of 124,000 views and include an average of 272 gestures. The top-ranked TED talks, however, have an average of 7.4 million views and 465 gestures.

Why do gestures affect speakers’ effectiveness?

Studies show that our hand movements constitute a second language. They add information that’s absent from our words.

How can you ensure your gestures add the appropriate information to your spoken message? Check out the tips below:

1. Be natural.

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