3. Posture - The way people hold themselves gives important information. Body posture can be closed or open. Interested people always pay attention and lean forward. Leaning backwards demonstrates aloofness or rejection. A firm handshake will give impression of assertiveness or honesty, too firm can seem arrogant or challenging. Folding arms across your chest or body is protective and will give impression of a character who’s closed, guarded and defensive. People with arms folded, legs crossed and bodies turned away are signaling that they are rejecting messages. People showing open hands, both feet planted on ground are accepting. A head held straight up signals a neutral attitude. A head tilted to side indicates interest. A head down is negative and judgmental.

4. Space - Dr. Edward T Hall, a professor of anthropology at Northwestern University, coined phrase “Proxemics” to describe his theories about zones and territory and how we use them. There are four distinct zones in which most people operate, including: intimate distance, personal distance, social distance and public distance. The cultural influence on spatial relationships is significant. “How we guard our zones and how we aggress to other zones is an integral part of how we relate to other people.” (1)

“The orientation of speakers and listeners: face-to-face, side to side, or back-to-back, can send powerful non-verbal messages. In a group situation, when leader faces group and turns toward one who is speaking, this conveys strong attention. When two people are communicating, competitors are more likely to sit facing each other while collaborators are more likely to sit side-by-side. If one stands while other is sitting, standing person may be sending dominance signals, which can stifle free exchange of ideas.” (2)

You now understand different types of body language and you may be able to incorporate body language into your writing to make your characters come alive on page.

Resources (1)Dick Mooney, Often, actions really do speak louder than words. Knoxville, TN: ACA Communicator, 2002 (2)Debbie O'Halloran, How to use Body Language in an Interview. The Irish Jobs Column, 2002

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