Writer's Corner - Body Language Basics 2 (Anger/Aggression, Fear/Anxiety)

Wylie here, with a second installment of Body Language Basics. Go here for Part One.
As writers we try and show, not tell, so using body language to portray a characters mood is a powerful tool. As I explained in part one, body language is the term for nonverbal communication through movements or gestures and makes up around 55% of what we are communicating.

Today I'll focus on some negative communicators:

Anger & Aggression

Body language normally happens in clusters of signals and postures rather than one singular stance. If your character is angry, he may display the following:

• face and neck red or flushed
• clenched fists
• a forward lean as an invasion of the perpetrator's body space
• his face could have a disapproving frown, pursed lips, bared teeth or a full snarl

If your character is about to physically attack or be attacked, in addition to clenched fists, have him lower his body and spread his feet apart, which prepares the body for stability.

Opposite of that is to purposely expose himself to the attacker, which is ironically another form of aggression! It says, "Go on. Take your best shot, I dare you. I will win." This, coupled with relaxing the body, turning away or crotch displays (explained in part one), gives the character an air of cocky confidence.

A very simple symbol of aggression is the invasion of body space. When tension exists between two people, having someone one lean into the comfort zone of the other is the equivalent to one country invading another. It gives the aggressor the psychological 'first strike' advantage.

Then there is the mock attack. These gestures are primarily used to insult the other person, to entice their anger. An obvious example would be the middle finger ;) but a banging hand on the table says "Here's what I'll do to you!" or throwing something "This could be you!" are done to signal the level of aggression and test the other's reaction.

You may have noticed that some of these gestures/postures were also used in romantic body language - like leaning into someone's personal space. It's all about context...

Defending:
The body portrays defense postures when verbally or physically threatened. The 'closed body' cluster places mental barriers between us and our aggressor. Some automatic defense positions, and the physiological reasons behind them, are:

• dropping the chin - protects the neck
• tensing the muscles - makes our body appear smaller, reducing the target, preparing for attack
• crossing the arms - protecting vital organs
• crossing the legs - an ankle or knee cross (interesting note: when legs are crossed but not arms, it can indicate a deliberate attempt to appear relaxed!)
• looking down or away - eye contact is sometimes a form of aggression

Fear and Anxiety

The simplest explanation of fear is what we experience/what occurs in our bodies when our basic needs are threatened. Fear can run the gamut between mild anxiety to terror and our body's reaction responds appropriately. Here are common indicators:

• a 'cold sweat'
• pale face
• dry mouth, which leads to licking of lips, drinking water or rubbing of throat
• trembling lips
• refusal of eye contact
• erratic speech tones and vocal tremors
• increase in pulse (sometimes visible in neck)
• beads of sweat, dripping with sweat
• muscles tensing - clenched hands or arms, defensive postures, jerky movements
• gasping or holding breath
• fidgeting

Finally, and this almost goes without saying, but one of the most powerful body-language tools is the crossing of arms over chest. It can mean so many things: It can put an unconscious barrier between your character and others; if accompanied by rubbing of arms it can indicate your character is cold; it can mean the character is deep in thought; or expressing opposition if coupled with leaning away from the speaker; and it can be coupled with a harsh look to indicate hostility. Use this one wisely, and ensure it's within context by adding other telling gestures.

Hope you can use some of this info to make your story stronger!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
CHRISTINE D'ABO!!