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IWW
Practice-W Exercise Archives
Exercise: Every Move You Make (Version 2)
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: June 2, 2002
Reposted on: June 6, 2004
Reposted on: August 28, 2005
Revised and Reposted on: August 23, 2009
Reposted on: October 10, 2010
Reposted on: February 4, 2013
Reposted on: October 19, 2014
Reposted on: October 14, 2018
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Exercise: In a passage of 400 words or less, describe one or two characters using
physical cues only. Yet you must communicate what each character is thinking or
feeling. Don't tell us what that is: let us determine that on our own.
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Experts say that the majority of communication is non-verbal. Body language, tone
of voice, intonation, etc. For example, how often have we known something was
wrong with a friend or loved one, even though that person hadn't said so?
The purpose of this exercise is to make us think about how we detect so much about
the people around us. What are the physical signs that someone is angry, happy,
tired, skeptical?
Don’t provide dialogue or telling descriptions that reach conclusions for the
reader (i.e., … He angrily …, Angry, he …).
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In your critiques, be sure to mention what you believe the character is experiencing.
Extracurricular activity: for one day this week, pay attention to the body language
of people you meet (strangers and acquaintances alike), and pay attention to how
much you can tell about them without any words being exchanged. If you're feeling
ambitious, try to see how different people use different signals and cues.
Web site created by
Rhéal Nadeau and
the administrators of the Internet Writing Workshop.
Modified by Gayle Surrette.
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