Point is, it's good to have a list of beats to draw on when you're in the blood and guys of the writing process. The hope is that you'll collect some truly evocative, character-defining tidbits to use, but the fact is some body language is fairly universal. Collected here, for your perusal and use, is every common piece of body language I can think of. I'm continually adding to this list, so expect periodic updates, and please feel free to post any additions in the comments!
| Emotion | Gesture |
| Gestures | |
| pointing | aggression, assertiveness |
| middle finger | anger |
| rubbing hands together | anticipation, cold |
| thumbs up | approval |
| devil horns | approval, endorsement |
| clapping | approval, enjoyment |
| finger gun | assurance, straight-shooter |
| scratching | boredom |
| curling index finger | come here |
| scratching head | confusion |
| smoothing eyebrows | discomfort |
| turning away | disinterest, discomfort, looking for an escape |
| touching/rubbing nose | doubt, rejection |
| massaging self | fatigue |
| stretching | fatigue, boredom |
| yawning | fatigue, boredom |
| throwing hands up | frustration |
| waving | greeting |
| peace sign | greeting, goodbye |
| holding palms out | incapability, exhaustion |
| touching ear, tugging ear | indecisiveness |
| touching the front of the neck | interest, concern |
| running hand through hair | irritation, relaxation |
| hands moving up or out | positivity, openness |
| cracking knuckles | readiness, confidence |
| snapping fingers | realization, demanding |
| hand over mouth | shock, disbelief |
| holding palms outwards | stop |
| finger tent, fingers interlaced | thinking, evaluating |
| stroking beard/chin | trying to make a decision |
| Facial Expressions | |
| staring | aggression, dominance |
| flaring nostrils | anger, impatience |
| brows knitted | concentration |
| making eye contact | confidence, honesty, openness |
| blinking | confusion, evaluation |
| arched eyebrow | curiosity, inquiry |
| chin out | defiance |
| licking lips | desire, hunger |
| frown | disapproval, disbelief, irritation |
| curled lip | disgust |
| avoiding eye contact | dishonesty, apprehensiveness, timidness |
| blushing | embarrassment |
| lowering eyes | fear, guilt, submission |
| working jaw in and out | frustration, doubt |
| genuine smile (eyes, lips, entire face) | happiness, warmth |
| suddenly breaking eye contact | insult |
| cocking head to one side | interest |
| nodding/shaking head | interest, attention |
| wide eyes | interest, excitement |
| rolling eyes | irritation |
| sideways glance | irritation |
| excessive nodding | loss of interest |
| pursed lips | mitigation, reluctance |
| closing eyes, pinching bridge of nose | negative evaluation, exasperation |
| biting lip | nervousness, embarrassment |
| fake smile (lips only) | politeness, tolerance, sarcasm, condescension |
| looking up and to one side | recollection, memory |
| tilting head | sympathy |
| looking straight up | thinking |
| Posture | |
| leaning/weight on one leg | boredom, fatigue |
| legs open | comfort |
| open arms | comfort, openness, willingness to communicate |
| stand tall/shoulders back | confidence |
| ankle resting on knee (four cross figure) | confidence |
| shrug | confusion, acceptance |
| legs crossed with muscles tensed | defensiveness |
| arms crossed | defensiveness, anger |
| hands on hips | eagerness, readiness, aggression |
| leaning on arms/elbows | fatigue, interest |
| holding still | fear, apprehension |
| shoulders hunched, tight | fear, discomfort |
| leaning forward | interest |
| resting arm behind neck | openness, interest |
| hips thrust forward | power, arousal |
| wide stance | power, dominance |
| legs crossed | relaxation |
| sitting back | resolve, resignation, comfort, exhaustion |
| shoulders low, dropping, slumped | submission, apology, giving up |
| Touch/Proximity | |
| touching head, running hands through hair | adoration, comforting |
| lick | arousal |
| bite | arousal |
| grabbing arm | demanding attention, protectiveness, possessiveness |
| firm, or two-handed handshake | dominance |
| initiating touch | dominance |
| holding hands | familiarity, possessiveness |
| distance | fear, shyness |
| simple handshake | friendliness, openness |
| sustained touch | friendship, intimacy |
| playful punching | humor, playfulness |
| touch on "private" body parts (torso, thighs, head) | intimacy |
| close proximity | intimacy, aggression |
| arm around waist/shoulders | intimacy, love, possessiveness |
| kiss | love, greeting |
| pinching | playfulness, light scolding |
| poking | requesting attention, playfulness |
| laying a hand on a friend's arm | sympathy |
| massage | sympathy, arousal |
| hug | sympathy, love, greeting |
| pat on the back | sympathy, requesting attention |
| laying head on friend's shoulder | sympathy, unburdening |
| brief touch on "neutral" body parts (hand, elbow, shoulder) | trying to establish some relationship |
| Actions | |
| leaving the room | anger |
| door slamming, slamming objects | anger, frustration |
| drinking/smoking | can show distraction within a conversation |
| eating/chewing | can show distraction within a conversation |
| running/walking | speed increases with urgency |
| Vocal Cues | |
| imitation | condescension |
| talking slow | condescension, dominance, apology, explanation |
| high volume | confidence, anger |
| low pitch | confidence, dominance, assurance, confidentiality |
| growling/grumbling | irritation |
| low volume | irritation, confidentiality, fear |
| high pitch | timidness, fear, disbelief |
| talking fast | urgency, fear, exasperation, dishonesty, foolishness |
| Appearance | |
| hygiene | can demonstrate emotional state & social status |
| hair | can demonstrate emotional state & social status |
| clothes | can demonstrate emotional state & social status |
| accessories | can demonstrate emotional state & social status |
| Physical Sensations (First Person) | |
| pain | can demonstrate emotional state |
| congestion | discomfort |
| itching | discomfort |
| sick to stomach | disgust |
| blushing | embarrassment |
| out of breath | exhaustion |
| ears ringing | exhaustion |
| grinding teeth | fear, anger |
| hairs standing on end | fear, apprehension |
| prickling skin | fear, apprehension |
| sweating | fear, discomfort |
| shivering | fear, discomfort |
| dry mouth | fear, discomfort |
| fast pulse | fear, nervousness |
| jaws clenching | fear, nervousness, anger |
| muscle spasm | nervousness, irritation, excitement |
| lump in throat | restrained emotion |
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