If actions speak louder than words then a character’s body language is an important part of dialogue. And yet writers often waste the potential, using body language merely to reinforce what is already evident, such as a character who both nods and says, “Yes.”
Studies show that body language, including gestures and facial expressions, make up over fifty percent of communication. (Tone of voice makes up another thirty-five percent or so.) That means our characters can give away all kinds of information without saying a word.
When harnessed effectively, body language can be a powerful tool—because it tells us what’s really going on inside a character’s head.
4 ways body language can add useful information
- Revealing an emotion the character wants to conceal. The heroine is facing her nemesis in a meeting. She wants to appear calm and in control, but under the table her leg is bouncing or her hands are clenched in her lap. Although her dialogue and tone may give the appearance of complete confidence, the body language tells the reader the whole truth.
- Indicating the character is lying. Fictional characters don’t always tell the truth, but without a non-verbal clue, the reader may not realize when a character is being less than forthright. A bit of body language can show the reader what’s really going on, for example: a character refusing to meet someone’s gaze, rapid breathing, or covering the mouth while speaking. If the POV character notices these telltale signs, the reader will get the hint.
- Showing that all is not as it seems. In a scene where both reader and character expect a certain response, body language can tell a potent tale. For example, a husband arrives home from work on the day he was to get a long-awaited promotion. When he walks in the door and slumps on the couch, the wife realizes something is very wrong. And the more the husband claims everything is fine, the more out of kilter things obviously are. In a similar fashion, when the felon under interrogation acts smug, we begin to suspect he knows something the police don’t.
- Hinting at a character’s motives. When a hostess greets a guest with a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes, we suspect there is something between them. Perhaps the hostess is merely acting polite, or perhaps she has ulterior motives for treating the guest with a kindness she doesn’t feel. Of course, the POV character may misinterpret the clues, reading ulterior motives into a situation where there are none—which might be exactly what the plot requires.
Are you using body language to the full potential?
How can your characters’ non-verbal cues help the reader read between the lines? #writetips #bodylanguage Share on X
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4 Comments
In my YA manuscript, the main character has a gift for reading body language and uses it to predict people’s behavior. It’s an inherited gift and other members of his family use it as con artists. I have done research on con artists and how they use body language and think it’s a fascinating topic. I was very glad to see your article on this. I think writers can use character’s body language to enhance their storytelling dramatically.
Sounds like a fun story. I agree body language is fascinating. I am trying to beomce more effective at using and describing it in my writing.
I love this post! This is something I’m really working hard to incorporate in my third rewrite of my novel. Great advice!
It’a all too easy to miss opportunities with body language, isn’t it? I too have gone back and removed all the times my character nods and says yes. But what fun to use it to subtly tell the reader what the characters are really thinking.