Name: _________________________
Gestures Assignment
Directions
Engage in a face-to-face conversation with a friend (someone you know quite well and
have a history of interactions with), but use no gestures while you speak. That is, change
topics, interrupt, ask him or her questions, stop talking, etc., all while keeping your arms,
legs, body, and head completely still. At the end of the conversation, tell your friend what
you were doing, and ask for his or her perceptions of you during the conversation. When
you finish talking with your friend, write a two-four page essay that has the following
sections:
I. Introduction
When, where, with whom, and about what did the conversation take place?
Provide a vivid picture of the setting, characters, and topics of the conversation.
II. Discussion. Address the following issues:
1. What types of gestures did you find yourself most actively trying to suppress?
Draw from your class notes and readings to identify and describe the specific
types of gestures.
2. Did your friend notice your lack of gestures? Did you see his or her recognition?
If so, what did it look like? In the interview, what did your friend tell you he/she
was thinking during the conversation about you and your behavior?
3. Was it difficult to suppress your gestures? Why or why not? Use theories that we
have discussed in class to explain why you might or might not have found the
suppression of gestures difficult.
4. Did you have a more difficult time conveying your ideas than normal? Why or
why not?
5. Did your partner gesture less than normal? If so, why do you think that he or she
did so? What theoretical explanations might account for your conversational
partner’s change in their gesturing?
III. Conclusion
Briefly summarize your main points and close your paper with a memorable
statement that will inspire your reader’s thoughts about the importance of gestures
in nonverbal communication.