Which of the following is NOT a form of nonverbal communication?

The correct answer is that written words are not a form of nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication includes all forms of communication that do not involve spoken or written language. It encompasses gestures, body language, and facial expressions, which all convey messages and emotions without the use of words.

Gestures involve movements of the hands or other parts of the body that express ideas or feelings, often enhancing the verbal message or standing alone as a form of communication. Body language includes posture, eye contact, and overall physical demeanor, which can reveal a person’s feelings or attitudes. Facial expressions convey a wide array of emotions, such as happiness, sadness, anger, or surprise, and can communicate very nuanced feelings.

Written words, on the other hand, are a form of verbal communication. They rely on a structured language to convey meaning, thus categorizing them separately from nonverbal methods. Written communication utilizes symbols (letters and punctuation) to communicate ideas, which is distinctly different from the instinctual and often involuntary nature of nonverbal signals.