Final answer:
Effective nonverbal communication is characterized by body language and facial expressions, and its interpretation can be heavily influenced by cultural norms and personal context.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristics of effective nonverbal communication include body language and facial expressions, not verbal cues or written communication. Nonverbal communication is symbolic and often culturally learned. Certain gestures can be nearly universal, such as smiling typically indicating happiness, while the meaning of other gestures and expressions can vary widely between different cultures, situations, and individuals. For example, a thumbs-up is considered positive in the United States but offensive in Russia and Australia. Understanding the context and cultural background is key to correctly interpreting nonverbal cues like kinesics, which covers body movements and gestures including facial expressions, and paralanguage that involves voice modulation, tone, and even accents.