The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide To Character Expression

Product Information

Use sensations: Emotions are often accompanied by physical sensations, such as a racing heart or sweaty palms.

Emotion Thesaurus: A Comprehensive Guide to Writing Emotion Thesaurus: A Comprehensive Guide to Writing

While all these words mean "a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation," emotion carries a strong implication of excitement or agitation but, like feeling, encompasses both positive and negative responses.It is important to recognize and respect each person’s emotional response to a situation, even if it differs from your own. For example, a furrowed brow can indicate confusion or anger, while a smile can indicate happiness or contentment. Each emotion has its own depth and nuance, and it is important to understand and recognize them to fully experience and express them. For example, a situation that may elicit fear in one person may not have the same effect on another.

EMOTION Synonyms: 101 Similar and Opposite Words | Merriam

The book also includes an updated introduction and an expanded instruction section on how to use the thesaurus effectively. By using a variety of words to describe emotions, you can create a more engaging and impactful story for your readers. This can help you to create a more realistic and believable portrayal of your characters’ emotional experiences. When writing a scene, it can be difficult to convey how a person is feeling in a way that is both clear and interesting.For example, slumped shoulders can indicate sadness or defeat, while standing tall can indicate confidence or pride. It provides a comprehensive list of emotions, along with related actions, vocal cues, and sensations that can be used to describe how a person is feeling. The Emotion Thesaurus provides a list of body language cues for each emotion, such as “clenched fists” for agitation or “hugging oneself” for comfort. It’s also important to avoid using the same responses repeatedly, as this can make the writing feel repetitive. The spectrum of feelings ranges from positive emotions such as happiness, joy, and love to negative emotions like sadness, anger, and grief.

The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman, Becca Puglisi

Consider the nuance of each emotion: Emotions are complex, and different people might experience the same emotion in different ways. Recognizing and understanding the spectrum of feelings and subjective responses to situations can help us connect with others, express ourselves, and navigate our way through life. Consider the desire behind the emotion: Each emotion is driven by a desire, such as the desire for love or the desire for revenge. You might also find internal responses like “heart racing” and “shortness of breath,” as well as mental responses like “fear of the unknown” and “fear of failure.For example, slamming a door can indicate anger or frustration, while hugging someone can indicate love or affection. They can help you convey your character’s emotions without relying on dialogue or internal monologues. By using body language cues, vocal cues, and nonverbal cues, you can create characters that feel real and emotions that resonate with your readers. The Emotion Thesaurus provides a list of desires for each emotion, which can help you understand why your character is feeling the way they are. Then, look up that emotion in the Emotion Thesaurus to find a list of physical, internal, and mental responses that your character might experience.