What does the term 'gesture' refer to in public speaking?

The term 'gesture' in public speaking specifically refers to the movement of the head, hands, and arms to communicate an idea or feeling. This encompasses various types of physical movements that help to emphasize points, illustrate concepts, and convey emotions beyond words. Gestures enhance the communicative impact of a speaker's presentation by making the speech more engaging and memorable for the audience.

Additionally, gestures can contribute to the overall non-verbal communication a speaker uses, enriching the spoken message and helping to clarify or emphasize specific ideas. Properly executed gestures can make a speaker appear more dynamic and relatable to the audience, thereby increasing the effectiveness of their message.