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IWW Practice-W Exercise Archives
Exercise: Non-verbal Clues

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
Reposted, revised, renamed from Non-Verbal Cues on: 25 June 2017




Exercise: In 400 words or less, write a scene making it clear
to the reader what your character is thinking or feeling using
non-verbal clues 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 clues. 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 400 words or less, write a scene making it clear
to the reader what your character is thinking or feeling using
non-verbal clues only.

__________________________________

When you critique, be sure to mention what you believe the
character is feeling or thinking. Comment on the clues 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.