Gestures

  • Date 2022-07-18

General Definition: A form of nonverbal communication that uses one’s hands while speaking to provide emphasis and enhance persuasiveness.

  • Public Forum: see general definition.
  • World Schools Debate: Commonly used. In WSD, gestures are also used to manage POIs. For example, if you are offered a POI, you may simply wave them down by waving your hand in a downward motion, or you can delay the POI by holding up your index finger. 
  • British Parliamentary: Commonly used. In BP, gestures are also used to manage POIs. For example, if you are offered a POI, you may simply wave them down by waving your hand in a downward motion, or you can delay the POI by holding up your index finger. 
  • Canadian National Debate Format: Commonly used. In CNDF, gestures are also used to manage POIs. For example, if you are offered a POI, you may simply wave them down by waving your hand in a downward motion, or you can delay the POI by holding up your index finger.