IWW
Practice-W Exercise Archives
Exercise: Every Move You Make (Version 3)
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
Revised and Reposted on: July 12, 2020
----------------------------
Exercise: In 400 words or less, describe one or two characters using
physical cues only. Do not include dialogue. Don't narrate the
scene to explain what each character is thinking or feeling. In other
words, don't tell us what's going on in their heads. Show us.
----------------------------
Experts say that most communication is a non-verbal level: body
language, tone of voice, intonation, etc. For example, have you ever
sensed that something troubled a friend or loved one, even though that
person hadn't said a thing?
The purpose of this exercise is to underline the importance of
unspoken communication. What are the physical signs - sometimes very
subtle - that someone is angry, happy, tired, skeptical, cheerful,
impatient, amused, worried, nervous, sleepy, distracted, etc.?
----------------------------
When you critique, tell the author what you believe each character is
experiencing. Include the reasons, or passages, in the story that
made you come to that decision. Would you like to read what might
follow this scene? Why or why not?
Web site created by
Rhéal Nadeau and
the administrators of the Internet Writing Workshop.
Modified by Gayle Surrette.
| |