Demonstrative Communication Paper
Korey Free
BCOM/275
March 3, 2014
Sandra Otero

Demonstrative Communication Paper
Demonstrative communication is defined as any communication that is non-verbal and non-written. This can apply to hand gestures, facial expressions, tones of voice, body posture and position, eye contact, and anything else that doesn't involve the spoken or written word.
Demonstrative communication can be used by itself, but more often it accompanies verbal communication, and serves to enhance it, or sometime to detract from it. Used by itself demonstrative communication can send powerful messages, even when the sender doesn't say anything. A stern look from a parent or a boss can get instant results from kids or workers that aren't doing what they are supposed to be doing.
Sometimes demonstrative communication shows the listener that the speaker is saying one thing when they mean something else! For instance, if we try something someone has cooked, and we don’t like it, but we tell them that we do because we do not want to hurt their feelings, a facial expression can give us away! When we know someone well, we can tell right away if they are sad or upset, just by the look on their face, and by their posture. Even though they haven't said anything, we might approach them to ask "what’s wrong?”
When someone is speaking, they can use hand gestures to direct the listener’s attention to where we want it. Many people use hand gestures to add emphasis to what they are saying. We call this "speaking with their hands" Hand gestures can be very effective when describing an object's physical properties, such as how big or small something is. Children tell their parents "I love you THIS much", and open their arms as wide as possible.
The physical position of the speaker versus the position of the listener or listeners can also convey many things, for