NLP (neuro linguistic programming)

Neuro linguistic programming is the result of years of study of human reactions and reasons for reactions.  It can be useful if you are stuck on how to portray a character’s reaction by referring to body postures and gestures.

 

The easiest body part to monitor are the eyes. They can reveal a lot about thoughts inside that person.  When someone asks you a question, certain clues are given away just by looking at your eye movements.  Have a look at some of the meanings of reactions when asked a question.  When facing someone, they can react by:

– looking up and to the left, this could mean they’re visualising an event not seen before (possibly lying or creatively finding a solution)

– looking up and to the right, this could mean they’re recalling an event that has indeed happened

– looking to the middle left, this could mean they’re imagining something not heard before

– looking to the middle right, this could mean they’re recalling a sound that has indeed been heard before

– looking down and to the left, this could mean they’re reliving a physical experience

– looking down and to the right, this could mean they’re engaged in internal dialogue

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Breathing, posture and voice are also fairly clear indicators of what type person you have in front of you.  I’ve briefly listed some of them below.

 

Visually-orientated person (sight)

– Breathing: tends to be shallow in the upper chest

– Posture: tends to tense the shoulders and hunch the neck

– Voice: characteristically rapid speech

 

Auditorally-orientated person (hearing)

– Breathing: tends to be even in mid chest

– Posture: tension is evenly distributed over shoulders and back, head is often to one side

– Voice: even pace, good clear enunciation

 

Kinaesthetically-orientated person (feelings)

– Breathing: tends to be very full, using lower stomach

– Posture: generally relaxed posture

– Voice: slower spoken, longer pauses, deeper pitch

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Mix and match these body cues to indicate what your character is thinking as opposed to what they’re saying.  A great way to use ‘show not tell’.