0435 – ‘Verbal’ Gestures

2022.03.11 – 0435 – ‘Verbal’ Gestures

Verbal gestures – ones which enhance what you are saying or replace what you’re thinking, maybe:

·        Moving hands in front of you from one side… and then another – indicates comparisons (that while A was happening here, B was happening there)

·        Closed fists being put on top of one another – showing the stages of something (a structure or the ‘building blocks’ of an idea) being built

·        Clicking fingers may suggest something sudden or an idea, (or be me used as we try and remember something)

·        A clenched fist shows strength of character or emotion

·        As well as the obvious nodding or shaking, your head on one side may indicate disbelief or that you are trying to understand the speaker

·        There’s a lot that can be seen in the eyes of a speaker or a listener: whether someone is holding contact (or not), or glancing away. Squinting can be a sign of someone trying to understand or disbelief, wide eyes may indicate surprise or disbelief. Winking may be a hint at an in-joke.

·        Smiling will help relax you as you read, not a huge Jim Carrey-type grin but just a slight upturn of the corners of your mouth. So smile for a lighter story or give a slight lip-purse or pout with a frown to show concern – it’ll be heard in your voice.

·        Touching the tips of thumb and forefinger to make a precise point or to help enunciate words or hit the beat or a sentence. Think of your voice as an orchestra and you as the conductor.

You don’t want to necessarily adopt all of these movements (if you do, you’ll look rather odd!) but consider which ones you would normally use in everyday conversation, and try to employ them in your studio or stage work. It will look natural and feel natural and you will sound more natural too.

Your gestures are heard in your voice, so don’t be a mannequin – move!

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