Expository text type: Text 2:


Body Language:

An Ilustrated Introduction for Teachers

by Patrick W. Miller




People are always communicating. Communication — an ongoing process of sending and receiving messages — enables us to share knowledge, express attitudes, and demonstrate skills. Explicit and implicit communication occurs whenever two or more people interact.

Communication has multiple dimensions — verbal and nonverbal being the most interactive forms. Educators, psychologists, anthropologists, and sociologists define body language or nonverbal communication as communication without words. It includes overt behaviors such as facial expressions, eye contact, touching, and tone of voice, as well as less obvious messages communicated through dress, posture, and spatial distance. The most effective and persuasive communication occurs when verbal and nonverbal messages are in sync, creating communication synergy.

Social psychologists suggest that we begin to form impressions within seconds of meeting someone for the first time. During this short period, judgments are made about one’s character, personality, intelligence, temperament, working habits. and suitability as a friend. These conclusions — although often based on little information — form impressions that are seldom changed (Gladwell, 2005).

(Patrik W. Miller, Body Language: An Illustrated Introduction for Teachers, pp. 1f. )