What Blocking Means in Info
Blocking is the planned pattern of where a speaker stands, moves, and gestures throughout the speech, especially in relation to the aid. You'll learn why blocking is planned in advance rather than improvised.
Blocking as a Tool, Not Decoration
Movement in Info should always serve a purpose — marking a transition between areas, drawing attention to the aid, or physically representing an idea (like stepping forward to show intensity or importance). Movement without purpose, like pacing nervously, distracts rather than enhances.
Planning Blocking Alongside the Script
Blocking is typically mapped out area by area during the writing and early rehearsal process, noting exactly where the speaker stands for the AGD, where they move for each area, and where they return to for the conclusion. Writing blocking notes into a practice script (even if not used live) helps make movement consistent across rehearsals.
Mirrored Blocking for Closure
A polished technique is designing blocking so the speaker's final position in the conclusion mirrors their opening position during the AGD, reinforcing the sense of a complete circle that the callback also creates verbally, so the physical and verbal closure land together.
A speaker maps blocking for her three-area bridge speech.
AGD and introduction: center stage, aid still covered. Area one: step to stage left near the aid to reveal the first panel. Area two: step to center, gesturing to the aid from a slight angle without moving closer. Area three: step to stage right for the new panel reveal. Conclusion: return to center stage, mirroring the opening position for a sense of closure.
1. What is the primary function of blocking in an Info speech?
2. True or False?
"Blocking should generally be improvised fresh in every round rather than planned in advance."
Answer all 2 to check.
Blocking is deliberate, planned movement that serves the speech's structure and meaning — never aimless pacing.