Vocabulary / Word Lists for writers

body language for each emotion

Awed
-Slack
-jawed, raised eyebrows, staring
-Frozen, slack body language (Self? What self? There is only Zuul.)
-Take a step back and put a hand to his heart

Amused
-Smiling and throwing back her head laughing
-Slapping her thighs, stamping her feet, clapping her hands
-Shaking her head (That's so wrong!)

Angry/Aggressive
-Sharp movements, like shaking a fist, pointing, slashing, or slamming a fist on a table
-Flushed face, patchy red blotches
-Tension in neck-chords standing out, veins throbbing-and jutting or tucked chin
-Arms akimbo, or clenching fists
-Entering someone else's space and forcing them out
-Poofing up with a wide stance (I am big! Very big!), arms wide (Bring it!)
-Lowered eyebrows, squinting eyes
-Teeth bared, jaw clenched, snarling

Annoyed
-Pressing lips together into a thin line
-Narrowing eyes sometimes with slight head tilt (Why do you still exist?)
-Rolling eyes, often paired with a long-suffering sigh

Anxious
-Fidgeting, such as tearing grass into little pieces, playing with a ring, or chewing on a pencil
-Biting lower lip, swallowing unnecessarily
-Quickened breathing or holding breath
-Darting eyes
-Pallor, sweating, clammy palms
-Unusually high-pitched, "nervous" laughter
-Hunched shoulders
-Pacing

Attentive
-Slow head nodding with a furrowed brow
-Leaning forward, toward the speaker, and sitting up
-Taking notes
-Looking over the top of her glasses

Bored
-Resting his head on his palm, peeking out between the fingers, maybe even slipping so his head "accidentally" hits the table
-Tapping toes, twirling pencil, doodling, and otherwise fidgeting
-Staring out a window, or at anything remotely more interesting (Which is everything ...)

Confident
-Arms clasped behind body
-Head lifted, chest out, standing tall
-Walking briskly and making firm, precise movements

Confused
-Tilting head with narrowed eyes
-A furrowed brow
-Shrugging

Contempt/Superiority
-Lifted chin (The better to look down the nose.)
-Pursed lips, sneering, slight frown
-Circling a shoulder, stretching her neck, turning away-anything to indicate she doesn't see the person as a threat or worthy of her attention
-Grabbing her lapels, or tucking her thumbs in her waistcoat (See this clothing? It is much nicer than yours.)
-Dismissive hand-waving

Cynical/Sarcastic/Bitter
-Twisted lips or a half-smile
-Sneering, sometimes with shaking the head and other defensive body language
-Pressed lips with a slight frown
-Eye rolling

Defensive
-Crossed arms, legs, crossed anything, really (Well, maybe not fingers ... or eyes ...)
-Arms out, palms forward (Stop!)
-Placing anything (sword, shield, book, backpack) in front of her body

Disgusted
-Crinkling his nose
-Curling his lip and/or showing the tip of his tongue briefly
-Flinching back and interposing a shoulder or turning away
-Covering his nose, gagging, and squinting his eyes shut-hard-for a moment. (It assaults all the senses.)

Displeased
-A plastered-on fake smile (You suck; but I can't tell you that. So here: a fake smile! Enjoy.)
-Pouting or frowning (I'll cry if you don't give me what I want-don't test me, I will!)
-Crossed arms and other defensive/frustrated body language (I will not let that terrible idea influence me!)

Distressed
-Wide eyes and shallow, rapid breathing
-Beating the walls, or huddling into a corner
-Clasping hands over his head protectively
-Rocking himself
-Handwringing
-Running his hands through his hair