Show Not Tell: Character Emotions

Anger Sadness Joy/Amused Excitement

 Breathing deeply  Downcast eyes  Smiling
 Talkative
 Picking fights  Red or watery eyes  Head up
 Pacing around
 Sarcasm
 Walking slowly  Walking quickly
 Rubbing hands
 Pounding fists
 Feeling sick  Friendly
 Eyes darting around
 Prodding finger  Crying, not wanting to talk  Talkative
 Deeper louder voice  Big smiles
 Jerky breathing  Using their arms a lot
 Hugging
 Shoulders and head forward  Slumped shoulders  Cupping their cheeks
 Shaking hands
 Eyes wide and glaring  Rubbing their face  Bouncing on their toes
 Giggling
 Hands forward in fists  Downturned mouth  Breathlessness
 Victory dance
 Red face
 Avoiding other’s eye  Tapping their fingers

Embarrassment Afraid Relieved Curiosity

 Looking down  Dry Mouth  Smiling  Staining to see
 Hiding their face with long hair  Biting their lip  Wide, grinning eyes  Ears and head pointed to
hear
 Walking away quickly  Wanting to run  Hand holding brow
 Shushing others
 Grasping things against their  Gasping for air  Blowing air out of their mouth
chest  Wide eyes
 Cold sweat  Holding hair with both hands
 Keeps swallowing  Slow breathing
 Talking nonstop  Mouth open, hands wide
 Face goes red  Lips parted slightly
 Dizziness  Shaking head in disbelief
 Stammering  Gasping in wonder
 Flinching at noises  Laughter
 Panicky thoughts  Small smile
 Shaking
 Looking around for an exit  Shifting from one foot to the
 Tip toeing
other.