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Christopher Norvilus
Dr. Hoehl
COM 380- Nonverbal Communication
10 March 2017
Evidence #4- Eye Contact, Facial Expressions, and Vocalics

For my fourth evidence assignment this semester, I chose to analyze an episode of the

television show How to Get Away with Murder. I have seen all episodes of the show and recently

the Season 3 finale aired. It immediately came to my mind to use as evidence because there are a

large amount of storylines within the show. Because of that, when multiple characters are

together there is an immense amount of eye contact and facial expressions going on and other

nonverbal behaviors to keep certain things a secret yet still communicate with one another who

are away of a particular situation. Certain ways of vocalics are used to keep things under wraps

as well. I went and re-watched the finale episode for the purpose of this assignment.

An example of eye contact, facial expressions, and vocalics being important in the

episode is when it begins to come to light that Connor was at Annalises house the night that Wes

died. He confides in Michaela and then they return to the room where the rest of the main

characters are as they are trying to figure out who could have possibly killed Wes. When they

return, it is clear from their body language that something is up and they are uneasy. The other

characters try to ask if there is a problem. They stare directly into Connor and Michaelas eyes

with almost no other body movement to display how serious they are about their question. Their

facial expressions are extremely serious with totally straight faces and no break at all in terms of

any type of smiling. Connor and Michaela respond in uncharacteristically high-pitched voices,

and with facial expressions and a vocal tone that clearly shows something is wrong. The eye

contact coming from the other characters to them is extremely intense and serious. Their facial
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expressions convey just how intense they feel about having the question honestly answered since

they can tell that Michaela and Connor are lying. Finally, Michaela and Connor crack and reveal

that Connor was at Annalises house the night that Wes was killed. The responses from the group

hold the same intensity in eye contact, facial expression, and vocalics. Eye contact goes from

intense seriousness to complete wide-eyed looks of disbelief. Facial expressions become totally

shocked and stunned. And lastly, vocalics get extremely loud and high-pitched to show their

since of panic once learning the information. As Connor recounts the experience, his facial

expression turns to tears and everyone has tears well up in their eyes as he explains what

happens. Their vocalics become extremely serious once again when they accuse him of not

telling the entire truth about that night. Overall, everyone is shocked, saddened, and skeptical

about the fact that Connor admits he was there the night Wes was killed. There are many other

examples of eye contact, facial expressions, and vocalics in the episode.