We have been running elocution lessons since 2007 and have helped hundreds of people become confident and effective public speakers.
What we have noticed is that most students are unsure how to use their arms and hands while speaking in public. This uncertainty often results in gestures that reduce the impact of a presentation and make the speaker appear tense or awkward.
Some of the most common distracting hand and arm habits include:
Putting hands behind the back
Creating a “chicken-wing” effect by holding the upper arms too close to the body
Crossing the hands over the stomach
Keeping hands in pockets
Tight, clumsy-looking fingers
These gestures often signal a lack of confidence and suggest that the speaker is tense.
I experienced something similar when I started belly dancing. Being in control of my arms was one of my biggest challenges:
I tended to keep my upper arms too close to my body, making my hands look stiff and awkward (the chicken wing effect). My teacher told me that I needed to own my space and allow my arms to move freely and move them away from my body.
My fingers were spread awkwardly.
In dance, fingers frame the movement; when used correctly, they elevate the dancer to something magnificent.
That advice applies just as powerfully to public speaking. Confident speakers are not afraid to use open, expansive arm gestures and to fully own the space they are in.
As a member of a public speaking club, I have noticed that even the most experienced public speakers can sometimes overdo their arm movements. The fact is that:
too much movement,
overly exaggerated gestures,
constantly repeated gestures, or
gestures that don’t match the words - can distract the audience rather than enhance the message.
Here are some strategies to get it right:
1. Be mindful, not mechanical
Plan your gestures to align with key points in your speech, but don’t force them on every sentence. Natural, purposeful movements have more impact than constant motion.
2. Own your space
Stand with a stable posture and allow your arms to move within your personal space. Avoid collapsing them close to your body, putting them in pockets, or hiding them behind your back. Confident speakers use open gestures to “claim” the stage.
3. Match gestures to words
Gestures should complement what you’re saying. For example, when enumerating points, show them on your fingers; when speaking about growth, use upward hand motions. This reinforces your message visually.
4. Practice restraint and rhythm
Less is often more. Overuse of gestures can feel chaotic. Practice your speech and notice where gestures feel natural. Pausing occasionally with hands at rest can make the gestures you do use stand out.
5. Record and review
Video yourself during practice sessions. Seeing how your arm movements look from an audience perspective helps identify distracting habits and improve flow.
6. Draw inspiration from other disciplines
Activities like dance, acting, or even martial arts teach spatial awareness and fluid arm movements. These skills can help you move with purpose rather than randomly.
When used with intention, gestures become quiet poetry, infusing your presence with elegance and grace and making beauty felt in both movement and sound.
In our elocution lessons, we record students’ speeches in both audio and video formats to help them develop strong verbal and nonverbal communication skills. To book a lesson, email: oriana_r@hotmail.com.
Warmly
Olga Smith