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Article · Story Craft

Showing emotion through gesture

Let a reader infer a feeling from what a character does with their hands.

Updated 2026-11-15

Maya is about to read aloud. Watch what she does with her sleeve.

The words “tugged her sleeve over her hand” are underlined.
Maya’s gesture gives the reader a clue.

Try it yourself. Give a character one small gesture that suggests how they feel.