Writing an unreliable narrator? Maybe a character is a pathological liar? Here are a few clues to give the reader that what they’re reading may not be the truth.
Response Latency
Liars take longer in between the end of the question and the beginning of their response.
Frequency and Length of Pauses
The number of times people seem uncertain of what to say or have been saying increases when a person is lying.
Linguistic Distance
Liars speak in the abstract even when recalling instances in which they were involved – for example, not saying “I,” “he,” or “she.”
Speech Errors
Hesitating, Freudian slips, over-use of “ums” and “errs” and sudden changes in speed of talking
Too Eager to Fill Silences
Liars overcompensate and seem uncomfortable with what are often quite short pauses.
Squirming
Shifting around too much in the chair. Shown by numerous and unusual head, leg, foot, and trunk movements
Having Too Much Eye Contact
Liars tend to overcompensate for wandering eyes.
Micro-Expression
Or flickers of expressions (of surprise, hurt, anger) – that are difficult to see unless frames are frozen
An Increase in Comfort Gestures
Like self-touching the face, upper body, hand hand-wringing
Changes in Facial Expression
Particularly smiling, blinking, and eye-gaze patterns that are outside their normal behavior
Frequency and Length of Pauses
Linguistic Distance
Speech Errors
Too Eager to Fill Silences
Squirming
Having Too Much Eye Contact
Micro-Expression
An Increase in Comfort Gestures
Changes in Facial Expression