Improv Nonsense

Maybe this: “yes” requires one move but “no” requires two.

Characters say yes and get excited about things, or they say no and fold their arms.

Yes needs one move. You say yes and you’re done with that.

No needs two moves. The no and then some move to repair whatever no did to slow things down. A justification, a reason to stay.

Doesn’t mean no is bad.  It just takes more work to do it right.

Students learn that it’s easier to just say yes and start being characters who say only yes — literally, the word ‘yes.’ But that is the wrong lesson. You very often have to say no in order to keep the scene truthful. Just do it right — make the second move: Add a justification, be sympathetic to what you are saying no to, find a reason to stay. 

EDITED LATER: Folding yours arms is not bad. It’s just bad if you stop with that.