SPEAKERS, GO ‘HANDS FREE’

Unless an object is used to support a speech or conversation with a group, “hands-free” is a wise policy. An exception might be a pointer, a laser pointer or similar when this is being used to pinpoint or highlight something on a chart, transparency or PowerPoint.

Presenters can, quite unconsciously, get into the habit of holding a pencil or some other object in their hand as they speak. This distorts the gesture and is very off-putting. It focuses the audience on the thing in hand rather than the speaker’s presentation. Something to be avoided!