〘Basic Character Mannerisms List〙

  • These “micro-behaviors” might range from an everyday movement (i.e. clearing the throat) to a very specific tic (i.e. biting nails when nervous). In literature, writers use mannerisms to help --enhance physical descriptions-- and put characters in motion on the page.
  • Most importantly, a mannerism has to make sense in the context of the story. When you’re thinking about your character’s idiosyncrasy, consider:
  • The personality of the character;
  • The environment of the scene; and
  • The era in which the story takes place.
  • Note: How does a character’s background impact the way that they move? How might the era and setting influence their actions? An Iranian man, for instance, wouldn’t use the thumbs-up gesture anywhere in the world — unless he wanted to insult someone. Then there’s the hero from the 19th-century, who would fiddle with his pocket watch, as men didn’t start regularly wearing wristwatches until the early 20th century.

〔Speech〕

  1. Uses a falling inflection
    Ends sentences with question marks
    Speaks in a whisper
    Always talks over others
    Tendency to mumble
    Slurs words, even when sober
    Has a sing-song speech pattern
    Shortness of breath from talking too fast
    Unnecessary or exaggerated throat clearing
    Deep breaths between every sentence
    Constantly swallowing when nervous
    Heavy reliance on buffer words: “Like,” “Um,” “Uh,” “Totally,” “Basically,” “You know”
    Constantly Whistling
    Constantly Humming
    Constantly Sighing
    Constantly Stuttering
    ConstantlyCoughing
    Constantly Scoffing
    Always laugh to fill in uncomfortable silences
    Muttering to oneself
    Noisy breathing
    Constantly “Sorry”
    Constantly “Tsk” like a anime character.
    Constantly saying “God."

〔Physicals - Head〕

Tilting head in thought
Hair tossing
Hair playing or twirling when flirting
Head bobbing while listening to music
Grinding teeth
Scratching the head
Flaring nostrils
Rubbing the neck when embarrassed
Raised eyebrows
Head on the chin in resting position
Jaw clenching in moments of tension
Sweating excessively
Quivering chin
Jutted chin
Nose twitching or wrinkling

〔Physicals - Mouth〕

Smacking lips in satisfaction
Mouthing the lyrics of a song
Licking the lips when nervous
Sticking out the tongue while thinking
Counting teeth with the tongue when distracted
Biting the bottom lip
Pulling at the bottom lip
Biting the inside of the cheek
Movement of the mouth: quivering, curling, pursed, twitching, tensed

〔Physicals - Eyes〕

Sideways glance
Likes to wink
Fluttering eyelids
Tendency to look down one’s nose
Eyes that dart everywhere
Tendency to avoid eye contact
Always breaking eye contact
Prolonged eye contact in conversation
Looking down at feet while walking
Rapid blinking when lying
Frequently gazes off into space
Has a thousand-yard stare
Furrowed or knitted brows
Movement of the eyes: rolling, squinting, twitching
Description of the eyes: wide, glassy, crossed, dilated, narrowed

〔Physicals - Hands〕

Movement of the index finger: pointing, jabbing downwards, stabbing in the air
Snapping fingers
Arms crossed over chest
Pinching the bridge of the nose
Rubbing the temple
Steepled hands
Standing with hands clasped behind back
Biting fingernails
Doodling absently
Wiping clammy hands
Tightly clenched hands
Running a hand through the hair
Rubbing the eyes
Touching the nose
Stroking chin in thought
Standing with hands in pocket
Picking or pinching at the flesh
Tugging at ear
Tracing scars without thinking
Covering mouth with a hand when smiling
Rubbing the tips of fingers together
Hooking a thumb in pockets while standing
Braiding hair automatically
Covering mouth while chewing or laughing
Passing a hand over the face when tired
Flexing fingers
Cracking knuckles
Drumming fingers on a surface
Wild gesturing while talking
Twiddling thumbs
Swinging arms back and forth when walking

〔Physicals - Upper Body〕

Shrugging shoulders
Dropping shoulders
Swaying while standing
Slouching, slumping posture
Tight, drawn-in shoulders when sitting
Broad stance when standing

〔Physicals - Lower Body

Crossing legs when sitting
Foot drags while walking
Foot stamping
Foot tapping
Legs will uncontrollably shake
Strides quickly when walking
Stands too close to others when talking
Knees knocking against each other
Rocking back and forth on heels
Shifting weight from one foot to the other
Pacing back and forth in a room
Sitting, legs apart
Bouncing leg up and down in a chair

〔Interactive 〕

Taking glasses off and cleaning them
Peering over glasses
Adjusting or pushing up glasses
Putting earpiece of glasses in mouth
Has a cigarette perpetually dangling out of mouth
Buttoning and unbuttoning coat with no purpose
Always sitting on the very edge of chair
Hands habitually on coat lapels
Chewing the tip of a pen or pencil
Jingling money in pockets
Playing with the marker
Tugging at pants before sitting
Tearing at a napkin at the table
Checking watch repeatedly
Using a toothpick at all times
Touching up makeup constantly
Repeatedly checking cell phone
Twirling a pencil at a desk
Clicking a ballpoint pen open and close
Playing with a Rubix Cube when bored
Fiddling with earrings
Shredding paper without thinking
Peeling labels from bottles
Bending paperclips in half
Twisting the rings on fingers
Tipping chair back
Leaning against the wall while talking
Tugging at collar of shirt when nervous
Smacking gum

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Pub: 04 Aug 2023 05:25 UTC

Edit: 04 Aug 2023 05:28 UTC

Views: 193