Character Trait: Communicative

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. Communicative is a character trait that refers to a person's ability to express themselves clearly and effectively to others. A communicative individual is skilled in conveying their thoughts, ideas, and emotions through various forms of communication such as speaking, writing, or nonverbal cues. They are also adept at listening actively, understanding others' perspectives, and responding appropriately. Communication is a crucial element in building relationships, resolving conflicts, and achieving success in both personal and professional domains.

Possible causes of being communicative

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

• Growing up in an environment where communication was encouraged and valued
• A desire to connect with others and build relationships
• A need to express oneself and be heard
• Exposure to diverse perspectives and experiences that fostered open-mindedness
• A passion for storytelling and sharing ideas
• Natural curiosity and interest in people's thoughts and feelings

For detailed feedback on communicative characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's character arc evaluator.

Behaviors associated with being communicative

You may be able to show your character's trait of communicative by using these.

• Expressing oneself clearly and effectively through speech and writing
• Being comfortable with public speaking and presenting to groups
• Being open to feedback and willing to engage in constructive dialogue
• Adapting communication style to different audiences and situations
• Asking questions to clarify understanding and convey interest
• Engaging in active listening and responding thoughtfully to others
• Using nonverbal cues to enhance communication, such as eye contact and body language
• Demonstrating empathy and understanding of others' perspectives
• Being able to negotiate and resolve conflicts through effective communication

Attitudes associated with being communicative

You may be able to show communicative through their attitudes.

• Openness to share thoughts and ideas
• Willingness to listen actively to others
• Collaborative mindset to work towards common goals
• Confidence in expressing oneself without fear of judgement
• Curiosity and interest in learning from others
• Flexibility and adaptability in communication style
• Clarity and conciseness in communication
• Empathy and understanding towards others' feelings and needs
• Respect for different viewpoints and perspectives

Thoughts and struggles associated with being communicative

Here are some ideas for things your communicative character may think or struggle with.

• This can lead to a fear of being misunderstood or not being able to properly convey their message.
• They may feel uncomfortable with silence and may try to fill any gaps in conversation, even if it means speaking about irrelevant or unimportant topics.
• A communicative character may also have a tendency to over-explain or provide too much detail in their communication, which can be overwhelming for others.
• A communicative character may have a constant need to express themselves verbally or in written form.
• They may find it difficult to keep their thoughts and feelings to themselves, often needing to share them with others.
• They may also struggle with listening to others and may interrupt or talk over them in their eagerness to communicate their own thoughts.

Emotions associated with being communicative

Here are some ideas for emotions your communicative character may experience.

• Expressive
• Outgoing
• Interactive
• Persuasive
• Articulate
• Engaging
• Sociable
• Charismatic
• Talkative

Facial expressions associated with being communicative

Here are some facial expressions your communicative character may exhibit.

• Laughing and chuckling
• Raising eyebrows in interest
• Smiling warmly
• Leaning in towards the speaker
• Making eye contact
• Using animated hand gestures
• Expressing emotions through facial expressions
• Nodding to show understanding
• Tilting the head to one side

Body language associated with being communicative

Here is some body language your communicative character may exhibit.

• Using open and expansive gestures to convey openness and receptiveness
• Using hand gestures to emphasize points
• Speaking with a clear and confident tone
• Nodding and smiling to show agreement or encouragement
• Mirroring the body language of the listener to build rapport and connection
• Using facial expressions to convey emotions
• Maintaining eye contact while speaking and listening
• Leaning forward towards the listener to show interest

For detailed feedback on communicative characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's character arc evaluator.

Behaviors associated with being communicative

Here are some behaviors your communicative character may exhibit.

• Being comfortable with public speaking and presenting to groups
• Demonstrating empathy and understanding of others' perspectives
• Expressing oneself clearly and effectively through speech and writing
• Adapting communication style to different audiences and situations
• Engaging in active listening and responding thoughtfully to others
• Being open to feedback and willing to engage in constructive dialogue
• Asking questions to clarify understanding and convey interest
• Being able to negotiate and resolve conflicts through effective communication
• Using nonverbal cues to enhance communication, such as eye contact and body language

Growth and evolution of communicative characters

Here are some ways that your communicative character may grow and evolve over time.

• Overcome shyness or fear of public speaking to become a more effective communicator
• Develop the ability to tailor their communication style to different situations and audiences
• Recognize the negative impact of gossip or rumors and work to avoid spreading them
• Develop empathy and understanding for other characters' perspectives
• Learn to listen actively instead of just waiting for their turn to talk
• Learn to ask for help or support when needed instead of trying to handle everything alone
• Learn to communicate their thoughts and feelings more clearly and assertively
• Realize the importance of nonverbal communication and work on improving it

Stereotypes of communicative characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical communicative character like these examples.

• Avoid making Communicative characters too passive or indecisive in their communication. They should be able to assert themselves and make their point clear.
• Avoid making Communicative characters overly talkative to the point of being annoying or unrealistic.
• Avoid making Communicative characters too shallow or superficial in their communication. They should have depth and substance in their words.
• Avoid making Communicative characters too pushy or aggressive in their communication. They should be able to listen and respect others' perspectives.

Negatives of being communicative

Here are some potential negatives of being communicative. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• Communicating too much can also make others feel overwhelmed or annoyed if they feel like they are being bombarded with information.
• Being too communicative can sometimes lead to oversharing and disclosing too much personal information.
• Some people may perceive communicative individuals as being talkative or chatty, which can lead to negative stereotypes or assumptions about their personality.
• Communicating too much can sometimes backfire, leading to misunderstandings or miscommunications if important details are overlooked or not clearly expressed.

Positives of being communicative

Here are some potential positives of being communicative. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• They are great listeners and pay attention to what others have to say.
• Communicative people are often seen as good leaders because they can motivate and inspire others through clear communication.
• They are able to empathize with others and understand their perspectives, which helps them to build bridges and resolve conflicts.
• They are able to give and receive feedback constructively, which is an important aspect of personal and professional growth.
• They are skilled at building relationships with others because they are able to connect with people on a deeper level.
• Communicative individuals are able to express themselves clearly and effectively.
• They are natural problem-solvers and can work through issues with others through effective communication.

Verbal expressions of communicative characters

Here are some potential expressions used by communicative characters.

• Skilled in conveying ideas and thoughts clearly
• Effective at giving and receiving feedback
• Able to communicate complex ideas in simple terms
• Good at asking questions and seeking clarification
• Quick to respond and engage in dialogue
• Active listener
• Comfortable in social situations
• Fluent and confident in conversation
• Able to adapt communication style to suit different audiences
• Open-minded and receptive to others' opinions
• Expressive and articulate in speech

Relationships of communicative characters

Here are some ways that being communicative could affect your character's relationships.

• They tend to be great at networking and building professional relationships.
• They are able to express their own thoughts and feelings clearly and effectively.
• They tend to be empathetic and show concern for others.
• They are able to adapt their communication style to fit different personalities and situations.
• They tend to be good listeners and engage in open and honest communication.
• They have a knack for reading other people's emotions and responding appropriately.
• They are skilled at resolving conflicts and finding mutually beneficial solutions.
• They value transparency and honesty in their relationships.
• They enjoy building relationships and connecting with others on a deeper level.

Examples from books of characters who are communicative

• Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• Harry Potter from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Tyrion Lannister from A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin
• Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Sherlock Holmes from the Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle
• Jo March from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Writing exercises for writing communicative characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write communicative characters.

• Imagine your character in a tense, high-pressure situation where they need to communicate important information to someone quickly and effectively.
• Write a scene where your character tries to persuade someone to change their mind about something.
• Write a scene where your character has to navigate a social situation where they don't know anyone and need to make new connections.
• Create a character who has a speech impediment or language barrier and explore how they overcome these challenges to communicate effectively.
• Write a scene where your character has to give a presentation or speech to a large group of people, and show how they use their communication skills to engage and persuade their audience.
• Create a dialogue between your character and someone who speaks a different language, and show how they use nonverbal cues to communicate.
• Write a monologue from your character's perspective where they reflect on a recent conversation they had and how they could have communicated better.