Body Language Cues

[Minibit]

Compiled here is a list of visual cues people generally give as to what mood they're feeling; use it to help yourself write body language!

Many characters also have particular quirks that you can use, once established, to easily show what they feel. ie:
A character who cannot lie because she giggles uncontrollably when she's nervous
A character who reverts to a childlike vocabulary when happy
A character who only swears when really, truly, boiling-over angry

SOME CHARACTERS HIDE THEIR EMOTIONS
Which can be a cue, of itself. People who hide their emotions normally tend to become nearly robotic when they have to work extra hard to hide a strong one. Faye drops contractions in her speech when she is uncomfortable ('I do not think that is all right' vs 'I don't think that's ok'). But otherwise gives no indicators. Hawkeye used graveyard humour to help himself cope with the sadness and anger of a war zone, you could tell he was REALLY upset when he stopped kidding around. Many 'cool guys/girls' tend to try even HARDER to act relaxed and at ease when they are feeling angry, frustrated, or nervous. Some characters use a 'poker face' as a protection mechanism, and will act as blank and expressionless as they can to hide sadness or fear.


ANGER/FRUSTRATION CUES

Spoiler

Gets into personal space
Prolonged eye contact
Fists
Frown
Flushed
Baring teeth
Growling
Lower eyebrows
Narrowing eyes
Tight jaws
Hands on hips
Impatient gestures (drumming fingers, tapping a finger, etc)
Rough handling any items in hand
Pacing/can't sit still
Hunched over/closed posture
Destructive fidgeting (tearing paper up, etc)
Vocal volume change
Harsh vocabulary
Irrational
Exaggerations

SADNESS CUES

Spoiler

Avoid eye contact
Tears
Lowered/sloped eyebrows
Frown
Pursed lips
Flushed
hugs self/holds arms
Crossed arms
Crossed legs
Seeks out comforting items
Stomach tightens
Bites lip
Feel hot
Slouching/Drooping posture (closed)
Attempts to hide face

EXCITEMENT/ANXIETY CUES

Spoiler

Nervous giggling/laughter
"Butterflies in the stomach"
Pain in the stomach/abdomen
Stress headaches
Nail biting
Lip biting
Finger drumming/tapping
Playing with hair
Obsessing over details
Fidgeting
Headaches
Pacing/can't sit still
Light flushing or blushing
'bouncing' from foot to foot
Skipping
Talking to one's self
Shaking
Inability to concentrate
Runaway imagination
Moodiness/switching emotions quickly
Energetic, followed by a crash

FEAR CUES

Spoiler

Eyes widen
Pale complexion
Stammering/difficulty speaking fluently
Memory loss
Inability to concentrate/carry on a task
"Butterfingers"
Weakness in the knees
Shaking
Covering the mouth
Avoid eye contact/looking away
Keeps distance
Freezing up or jolt of adrenaline
Reduced vocabulary

HAPPINESS CUES

Spoiler

Smiles
Giggles/chuckling
Light flush or blush
Open posture
Eye contact
Keeps close
Wandering imagination
Renewed energy
Skipping
Bouncing
Clapping

Please feel free to post things to add on!

 

[pandemia6]

Thanks. This is really usefull, I will definetely use them the next time I roleplay!

 

[Yuki40]

Thank you show much I can reallly use this great advice
*Clicks Like *
And a Like for you my wonderful Institute professor.