Sensory Language

Show, Don't Tell

A writing technique where the author uses sensory details and actions to create imagery instead of naming emotions directly

Banned Words

Emotion words that writers try to avoid because they "tell" instead of "show," like scared, curious, furious, or happy

Toby was incredibly scared.

His knees knocked together like loose drumsticks, and cold sweat dripped down the back of his neck.

He felt very curious about what was inside.

He leaned forward, squinting through the dark crack as his nose filled with the sharp, tickling smell of mothballs.

Toby became completely furious.

He slammed his fist onto the floorboard, his face turning as bright red as a ripe tomato.

The watch looked very old and beautiful.

Intricate golden gears clicked softly behind a cracked glass face, and a swirling pattern of stars was carved into the metal.

Toby was so happy and excited.

A massive grin stretched across his face, and he let out a loud "Yee-haw!" as he zipped the watch into his pocket.

Sound

An image created through hearing; for example, "knees knocked together like loose drumsticks" or "gears clicked softly"

Smell

An image created through scent; for example, "the sharp, tickling smell of mothballs and decades of trapped dust"

Sight

An image created through vision; for example, "turning as bright red as a ripe tomato" or "swirling pattern of stars"

Touch

An image created through physical feeling; for example, "cold sweat dripped down" or "air in the room grew ice-cold"