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IWW
Practice-W Exercise Archives
Exercise: Non-verbal cues (Version 3)
These exercises were written
by IWW members
and administrators to provide structured practice opportunities for its
members.
You are welcome to use them for practice as well. Please mention that
you found
them at the Internet Writers Workshop
(http://www.internetwritingworkshop.org/).
Prepared
by: Rhéal Nadeau
Posted on: 26 Mar 2001
Reposted on: 29 Feb 2004
Reposted, revised, on: 22 May 2005
Reposted, revised, on: 24 Sept 2006
Reposted, revised, on: 24 August 2008
Reposted, revised, on: 20 February 2011
This week's exercise:
In 300 words or less, write a scene making it clear to the reader what
your character is thinking or feeling using non-verbal cues only.
_________________
Experts say the majority of communication is non-verbal--body
language, eye movements, facial expressions, etc. How often have you
known something was wrong with a friend or loved one, without a verbal
clue?
The purpose of this exercise is to make us think about how we
ascertain a person's attitude from non-verbal cues. Rely only on body
language and other visual clues to realistically portray what a
character is thinking and feeling without dialogue. If you use
dialogue, don't give away the character's emotion in what is spoken.
__________________
Exercise: In 300 words or less, write a scene making it clear to the reader what
your character is thinking or feeling, using non-verbal cues only.
-------------------------
When you critique, be sure to mention what you believe the character
is feeling or thinking. Comment on the cues that led you to that
conclusion. Point it out if the writer tells rather than shows.
Web site created by
Rhéal Nadeau and
the administrators of the Internet Writing Workshop.
Modified by Greg Gunther.
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