| The muscular tensions, which accompany heightened feeling, if not released may immobilize a speaker. A rigid, unmoving speaker is likely to produce tensions in his audience. The effect is disturbing to both speaker and listener. Fortunately, the muscular tensions can be put to use. Tension may be drained off through movement. As speakers, it is our task to engage in movements which have meaning and which re-in force rather than interfere with our task of communicating ideas. |
| |
 |
Adjusting clothing, twisting a handkerchief, shuffling notes, playing with a watch, rocking on the toes, walking for the sake of walking are movements which have significance not related to the purpose of the |
| speech.. Controlled gestures, walking towards or away from a speaker’s stand according to the import of the spoken material, movements, which serve as punctuation and as emphasis, are recommended. This, however, should be remembered; almost any movement is better than no movement. If a speaker feels tense and not intellectually equal to the task of using a meaningful gesture, he ought then to move for the sake of movement. With the draining of tension and the regaining of intellectual composure, the speaker will find himself able to use appropriate action to enchance communication. |
|
