1

GESTURES
A gesture is a form of non-verbal communication made with a part of the
body, used instead of or in combination with verbal communication. The
language of gesture allows individuals to express a variety of feelings and
thoughts, from contempt and hostility to approval and afection. Most people
use gestures and body language in addition to words when they spea. The
use of gesture as language by some ethnic groups is more common than in
others, and the amount of such gesturing that is considered culturally
acceptable varies from one location to the next.
!estures do not have invariable or universal meanings. "ven simple gestures
lie pointing at someone can give ofense if it is not done correctly. #n the
$%A and western "uropean countries it is very common for people to point
with an extended &nger but in Asia this is considered very rude and it is safer
to use the whole hand.
!estures play a ma'or role in many aspects of human life. !esturing is
probably a universal. !estures are a crucial part of everyday conversation
such as chatting, describing a route, negotiating prices on a maret( they are
ubi)uitous. !estures have been documented in the arts such as in !ree
vase paintings, #ndian Miniatures or "uropean paintings.
*and gestures, i.e., gestures performed by one or two hands, is the
most numerous category of gestures due to the ability of the human
hand to ac)uire a huge number of clearly discernible con&gurations,
the fact of importance for the sign languages.
+ody gestures, This is moving the body in a certain way when orally
communicating.
*ead-face gestures,
.acial expressions, .acial expressions are a rich language in their own
right. %ome facial expressions are byproducts of emotions, while
others, such as wining or eye-rolling are ain to gestures.
"ye-rolling, /otating the eyes upward generally signals condescension,
contempt, boredom, or exasperation. #t can be interpreted as the
e)uivalent of saying, 0# don1t lie this0 or 0# thin this is really stupid0 or
0# simply can1t believe this.0
2inay 3hhaparia
4
5odding, A nod is a gesture of con&rmation in many cultures and
negation in some
*ead bobble, *ead bobble, i.e., repeated alternating tilting of the head
to the left and to the right in arcs along the coronal plane, means
disapproval in some cultures.
*ead shaing, /epeated turning of the head side to side in arcs along
the transverse plane has a meaning opposite to the nod, negation in
many cultures and con&rmation in some.
+ent head, A gesture of shame, subduing, or agreement-con&rmation.
An interpretation depends on the way it being performed and overall
body context. 6r, can be used as a greeting
7ointing by chin, A direction may be pointed by chin, e.g., when the
arms are doing something else, the head is turned in the
corresponding direction and the chin is slightly 'ered up and in the
pointed direction. This is also used as a greeting in some regions in the
$.%., usually among young men.
!reeting by nod, A single nod of the head, 8one single cycle in image-
pitch9 characteri:es a greeting gesture.
Thumb the 5ose, +rushing the thumb against the nose is a 1tough guy1
gesture usually meant to provoe another
2inay 3hhaparia
;
76%T$/"
7osture means the intentionally or habitually assumed position. #t helps in
conveying a message. "ach movement or position of the body has
expressive or defensive function. Thus, the posture is an important element
in non-verbal communication. #t revels a great deal about an individual.
7osture concerns the overall bearing of the body. #t includes the angle of
inclination and the position of arms and legs. A raised head indicates
openness, while a tilted head indicates curiosity. *owever, none of these
postures have any speci&c meaning of their own. They ac)uire meanings in
association with other symbols and in context of communication.
%ome types of human postures
<hile not moving, a human can be in one of the following main positions,
distinguished by the type of support.
%tanding, Although )uiet standing appears to be static, modern
instrumentation shows it to be a process of rocing from the anle in
the sagittal plane. The sway of )uiet standing is often liened to the
motion of an inverted pendulum. =;> There are many mechanisms in
the body that are suggested to control this movement, e.g. a spring
action in muscles, higher control from the nervous system or core
muscles.
%itting, %itting re)uires a more or less hori:ontal structure, lie a chair
or the ground. %pecial ways of sitting are with the legs hori:ontal, and
in an inclined seat. <hile on a chair the shins are usually vertical, on
the ground the shins may be crossed in the lotus position or be placed
hori:ontally under the thigh in a sei:a
?ying , <hen in lying position, the body may assume a great variety of
shapes and positions. The following are the basic recogni:ed positions.
%upine, lying on the bac with the face up.
7rone, lying 8or laying9 on the chest with the face down 80lying
down0, 0laying down0, or 0going prone09. %ee also 07rostration0.
?ying on either side, with the body straight or bent-curled forward or
bacward. The fetal position is lying or sitting curled, with limbs
close to the torso and the head close to the nees.
@neeling, @neeling is standing not on the feet, but on one or both
nees or shins approximately parallel to the ground, possibly raised to
2inay 3hhaparia
A
an angle depending on the position of the feet. The torso is usually
upright but can be considered neeling at other angles not touching
the ground.
PUBLIC SPEAKING
7ublic speaing is the process of speaing to a group of people in a
structured, deliberate manner intended to inform, inBuence, or entertain the
listeners. The art and science of public speaing, especially in a 5orth
American competitive environment, is also nown as forensics. The word
1forensic1 is an ad'ective meaning 0of public debate or argument.0
#n public speaing, as in any form of communication, there are &ve basic
elements, often expressed as 0who is saying what to whom using what
medium with what efectsC0 The purpose of public speaing can range from
simply transmitting information, to motivating people to act, to simply telling
a story. !ood orators should be able to change the emotions of their
listeners, not 'ust inform them. 7ublic speaing can also be considered a
discourse community. #nterpersonal communication and public speaing
have several components that embrace such things as motivational
speaing, leadership-personal development, business, customer service,
large group communication, and mass communication. 7ublic speaing can
be a powerful tool to use for purposes such as motivation, inBuence,
persuasion, informing, translation, or simply entertaining.
There are essentially &ve types of public speaing, 19 #ntroductions 49 Toasts
;9 #nformational A9 7ersuasive and D9 Eemonstration. "very public speaing
topic falls into one of these &ve categories.
Introductions:
The purpose of an introduction is to allow the audience to remember
the person1s name and enough bacground material to start up a
conversation. The other purpose, when before a group, is to persuade
the audience that the speaer is )uali&ed to spea.
Toasts:
2inay 3hhaparia
D
Toasts are a specialty speech that has a general format, similar to
introductions. The toast, some bacground material on the toast, and
then the toast again. Toasts are generally very short speeches.
Informational:
These speeches follow the format of opening, purpose, supportive
points and conclusion. They should be paced with facts and &gures.
This is probably FGH of the speeches that most people are ased to do.
Persuasive:
These speeches are intended to persuade the audience. 6ften, the
most efective are in the form of stories where the moral is the
persuasion. #t is the least structured of the public speaing types.
Demonstration:
These speeches include visual aids, they are essentially how to
speeches. 7owerpoint is not a demonstrational speaing style, as it is
normally 'ust a reinforcement of your informational or persuasive
speech. Eemonstration speech visual aids are normally three
dimensional, or active two dimensional, lie a blacboard.
Some tips for good public speaking
.eeling some nervousness before giving a speech is natural and healthy. #t
shows you care about doing well. +ut, too much nervousness can be
detrimental. *ere1s how you can control your nervousness and mae
efective, memorable presentations,
Kno t!e room" +e familiar with the place in which you will spea.
Arrive early, wal around the speaing area and practice using the
microphone and any visual aids.
Kno t!e audience" !reet some of the audience as they arrive. #t1s
easier to spea to a group of friends than to a group of strangers.
Kno #our material" #f you1re not familiar with your material or are
uncomfortable with it, your nervousness will increase. 7ractice your
speech and revise it if necessary.
Rela$" "ase tension by doing exercises.
%isuali&e #ourself giving #our speec!" #magine yourself speaing,
your voice loud, clear, and assured. <hen you visuali:e yourself as
successful, you will be successful.
2inay 3hhaparia
I
Reali&e t!at people ant #ou to succeed" Audiences want you to
be interesting, stimulating, informative, and entertaining. They don1t
want you to fail.
Don't apologi&e" #f you mention your nervousness or apologi:e for
any problems you thin you have with your speech, you may be calling
the audience1s attention to something they hadn1t noticed. @eep silent.
(oncentrate on t!e message )) not t!e medium" .ocus your
attention away from your own anxieties, and outwardly toward your
message and your audience. Jour nervousness will dissipate.
Turn nervousness into positive energ#" *arness your nervous
energy and transform it into vitality and enthusiasm.
Gain e$perience" "xperience builds con&dence, which is the ey to
efective speaing. A Toastmasters club can provide the experience
you need.
*ore Guidelines""""""
Jour audience is there to hear your message. /elax and deliver that
message, instead of focusing on yourself.
Mae sure that your speech is right for your audience.
Tae your time. EonKt read your speech word-for-word and donKt rush
through it. +e conversational, as if you were taling with a group of
friends.
EonKt stand up there lie a stic, clenching the podium at both sides.
+e natural and animated. $se hand gestures, drin water, move
around a little. +ut donKt roc bac and forth L that conveys
nervousness.
@eep the speach short and simple.
Mae eye contact with the audience. 3onnect with them. !et them to
nod their heads to acnowledge what youKre saying. Mae them pay
attention to you.
7ractice your speech ahead of time. Tae time to pause in the right
places to mae eye contact and catch your breath.
2inay 3hhaparia
M
EonKt get into a debate if someone disagrees. Tal with him-her after
your speech.
Tools of communication
7rocess or medium by which communication is done is nown as tools of
communication. #t may be oral or in written form. %ome example of tolls of
communication is as follows,
+ritten:
+usiness letter
Memorandum
6Nce order
6Nce circular
6Nce notice
/eports
7roposal
*ouse 'ournals
3orporate +rochures
7ress /elease-conferences
"-mail
Eata warehousing
.ax
#nternet
+rochure
Manuals
7rinted materials
Oral:
.ace to face
Meetings
Television
/adio
2ideo-conferencing
Mobile phones
2inay 3hhaparia
O
Tele-conferencing
Audio tapes
7resentation
2inay 3hhaparia