Writing Tips

Body Language

All body language must be in context, but if you've set your scene and established your characters, a little body language can help.

ANGER
Anger is one expression of fight or flight mode -- an automatic, instinctive reaction to a threat. In many cases, there is an underlying fear of being harmed. Thanks to auto nervous system arousal, the heart rate increases, pupils dilate and the face may flush. Other signs of anger:
-balling the fists
-crossing the arms tightly
-clenching the fists once arms are crossed
-tight lipped smile
-clenched teeth
-shaking a finger like a club
-stabbing a finger at someone

ATTRACTION
-pupils dilate
-women will cross and uncross their legs to draw a attention to them
-mirroring (usually unconsciously) mimicking the other persons body language

CLOSED TO CONVERSATION
-keeping the hands in the pockets (esp. men)
-arms and legs crossed
-sitting back
-folding the hands together on a table (creates a barrier)
-the "figure-four" leg cross (setting the ankle of one leg on the knee of the other) and then grabbing the lower half of the top leg with both hands

DISTRESS
-men in particular have a tendency to stroke or rub the nape of their neck with they're upset. It's acts as a self-soothing gesture to deal with a "pain in the neck"
-crossed arms (arms are like a protective barrier)
-self hugging (arms are crossed, hands gripping upper arms
-one arm cross (one arm crosses the body to hold or touch the other arm. Women keep a hand on a purse or bag strap to make this more natural)
-clutching a purse, briefcase, or bag with both arms
-adjusting cuffs or cufflinks (men)
-folding the hands together in front of crotch (men)

LYING
Lying cause a subtle tingling in the face and neck, so the gestures below are the attempts to eliminate that feeling.
-covering the mouth (can be like a shh gesture or they may cover the mouth completely- some people try to cover it by coughing)
-touching or rubbing the nose or just below the nose (often a quick or small gesture, not a scratch)
-rubbing the eyes (esp. men)
-scratching the neck with the index finger

OPENNESS AND HONESTY
-expose of the palms
-arms and legs unfolded
-leaning forward

SUBMISSIVE SIGNALS
-smiling (that's why some people smile when they're upset or afraid)
-slumping of the shoulders
-doing anything to appear smaller

SUPERIORITY, CONFIDENCE, POWER, DOMINANCE
-steeping the fingers (aka setting the tips of the fingers together)
-folding the hands behind the back
-thumbs sticking out from pockets when hands are in pockets (can be front or back)
-hands on hips
-straddling a chair (or person ;))
-hands folded behind the head while sitting up (in men. In women this thrusts the breasts out and becomes sexual)