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The Emotion Thesaurus summary
Brief summary
The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi is a valuable resource for writers, providing a range of emotions and the body language, thoughts, and visceral sensations associated with each, helping authors to effectively convey their characters' feelings.
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The Emotion Thesaurus
Summary of key ideas
Understanding Emotional Expression
In The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi, the authors present a comprehensive guide to understanding and expressing emotions in writing. The book begins by highlighting the importance of conveying emotions effectively, as they are a significant part of character development and reader engagement. They emphasize the need to move beyond clichéd descriptions and delve deeper into the subtleties of emotional expression.
The authors introduce the concept of showing, not telling, which is a fundamental principle in fiction writing. Instead of stating a character's emotions outright, writers should use body language, facial expressions, and other physical cues to reveal what the character is feeling. This approach helps to build a more immersive and engaging narrative, allowing readers to interpret emotions for themselves.
Emotion Entry Structure
To aid writers in expressing emotions effectively, The Emotion Thesaurus organizes its content into a series of emotion entries. Each entry is dedicated to a specific emotion, such as anger, fear, happiness, or surprise. Within each entry, the authors provide a detailed list of physical signals, internal sensations, mental responses, and cues of long-term exposure associated with the given emotion.
For example, in the entry for anger, the authors list physical signals like clenched fists, a rigid posture, and narrowed eyes. They also describe internal sensations such as a racing heart, a tight chest, and a flushed face. Additionally, they explore mental responses like a desire for revenge, a heightened sense of injustice, and a loss of control. These detailed descriptions help writers vividly depict a character's emotional state.
Using the Emotion Thesaurus
Throughout The Emotion Thesaurus, Ackerman and Puglisi emphasize the importance of selecting the most appropriate emotional cues for a given situation. They encourage writers to consider the character's personality, background, and the specific context in which the emotion is being experienced. By doing so, writers can ensure that their characters' emotional responses are authentic and consistent.
The book also includes several additional resources to further assist writers in their emotional expression. These resources include a section on common writing pitfalls related to emotions, a discussion on how to convey multiple emotions simultaneously, and tips on using the thesaurus effectively. Ackerman and Puglisi also provide guidance on creating emotional arcs for characters, ensuring that their emotional journey is compelling and believable.
Enhancing Emotional Depth
In addition to individual emotions, The Emotion Thesaurus also addresses broader concepts related to emotional expression. The authors discuss the importance of emotional depth, encouraging writers to explore their characters' past experiences, fears, and desires to create more nuanced emotional responses. They also provide guidance on using subtext and nonverbal cues to convey emotions indirectly.
By the end of the book, writers are equipped with a detailed understanding of how to effectively express emotions in their writing. They learn to move beyond simple labels and clichés, instead creating characters with rich, authentic emotional lives. With its comprehensive approach and practical advice, The Emotion Thesaurus serves as an invaluable resource for writers looking to deepen their characters and engage their readers on a more emotional level.
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What is The Emotion Thesaurus about?
The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman is a valuable resource for writers looking to deepen their characters and evoke emotion in their readers. This book provides a wide range of emotions and offers a variety of physical signals, internal sensations, mental responses, and cues for each emotion. It's a practical guide to help writers show, rather than tell, their characters' feelings, making their stories more engaging and relatable.
The Emotion Thesaurus Review
The Emotion Thesaurus (2012) offers a comprehensive guide on understanding and expressing emotions, essential for writers and anyone interested in human behavior. Here's why this book stands out:
- Packed with descriptive emotion cues, it provides a wide range of options to effectively convey characters' feelings without clichés.
- By offering insight into body language, thoughts, and visceral sensations, it deepens emotional portrayal, bringing authenticity to storytelling.
- The book's unique approach sparks creativity and depth, ensuring readers never run out of ways to depict emotions vividly and engagingly.
Who should read The Emotion Thesaurus?
Writers who want to improve their ability to express emotions through their characters
Authors looking for a practical and hands-on resource to enhance their storytelling skills
Aspiring and experienced novelists who want to create more engaging and relatable characters
Categories with The Emotion Thesaurus
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The Emotion Thesaurus FAQs
What is the main message of The Emotion Thesaurus?
The main message of The Emotion Thesaurus is to help writers express character emotions effectively.
How long does it take to read The Emotion Thesaurus?
The estimated reading time for The Emotion Thesaurus is several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in a few minutes.
Is The Emotion Thesaurus a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Emotion Thesaurus is worth reading for its valuable insights on expressing emotions in writing.
Who is the author of The Emotion Thesaurus?
The author of The Emotion Thesaurus is Angela Ackerman.
What to read after The Emotion Thesaurus?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Emotion Thesaurus, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susann Jeffers
- Making It All Work by David Allen
- The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
- The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
- Mindset by Carol Dweck
- Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
- Switch by Chip Heath & Dan Heath
- The Da Vinci Curse by Leonardo Lospennato
- The Defining Decade by Meg Jay
- The Art Of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau