Unspoken Dialogue: An Assignment on Nonverbal Communication for an Interpersonal Communication Course

• In Event: G.I.F.T.S. Session III

Abstract

The “Unspoken Dialogue” assignment is designed to get students to appreciate nonverbal codes and their meaning and functions. Students watch a 2-3 minute video clip of a movie they have never seen twice (first without sound and then with sound) each time describing what they believe transpired in the clip. Students then write an essay introducing their clip, identifying two salient nonverbal codes, and discussing the interplay between nonverbal language and verbal language.

Author

• Elizabeth Munz, Purdue University