Experts say that the majority of communication is non-verbal. Body language, tone of voice, intonation, etc. For example, how often have we known something was wrong with a friend or loved one, even though that person hadn't said so?

The purpose of this exercise is to make us think about how we detect so much about the people around us. What are the physical signs that someone is angry, happy, tired, skeptical?

The assignment: in a passage of 300 words or less, describe one or two characters using physical cues only (no dialogue, no "saying" words) such that we know what each character is thinking or feeling. Don't tell us what that is: let us figure it out on our own.

Critics: When you critique, be sure to mention what you believe the character is experiencing.

Extracurricular activity: for one day this week, pay attention to the body language of people you meet (strangers and acquaintances alike), and pay attention to how much you can tell about them without any words being exchanged. If you're feeling ambitious, try to see how different people use different signals and cues.