Emotion: Amusement

When you want to write the emotion amusement, it's important to "show" the emotion your character is experiencing through their physical reactions and dialogue, rather than "tell" it. In this article we provide you with inspiration so you can avoid show; don't tell and immerse your readers in your story.

Amusement is a feeling of enjoyment or pleasure that comes from something that is humorous or entertaining. It is a positive emotion that can be experienced in many different ways, from laughing at a joke to smiling at a funny situation. Amusement is often associated with relaxation and can help to reduce stress and anxiety. It can also be a powerful tool for writers to use in their characters, as it can create a sense of connection and empathy with their readers.

Different Types of Amusement

Here are some different types of amusement:

• Joyful amusement
• Sarcastic amusement
• Nervous amusement
• Derisive amusement
• Bemused amusement
• Sardonic amusement
• Childish amusement
• Warm amusement
• Mirthful amusement

Situations Associated with Amusement

Here are some situations where a character might experience the emotion of amusement:

• Witnessing a humorous situation or joke
• Participating in a fun and lighthearted activity or game
• Being entertained by a performance or show
• Watching a comedic movie or reading a humorous book
• Spending time with friends or loved ones who have a good sense of humor
• Overcoming a difficult challenge in a humorous or unexpected way
• Discovering a funny or ironic coincidence or situation
• Engaging in playful banter or teasing with someone

Physical Reactions to Amusement

Here are some physical reactions a character experiencing amusement might have:

• Engaging in playful banter or wordplay.

Thoughts Associated with Amusement

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing amusement might have:

• Ha! That's hilarious!
• I can't stop laughing!
• This is so ridiculous!
• I love it when things go wrong like this!
• This is just too funny!
• I can't believe this is happening!
• I'm having so much fun right now!
• I needed this laugh!
• I'm glad I have a sense of humor!

Atmosphere of Amusement

Here are some ways that you might reflect the emotion of amusement in the atmosphere of your scene:

• Use a light and playful tone in the scene's description
• Add humorous details or elements to the setting, such as quirky objects or funny situations
• Introduce comedic relief in tense or serious situations
• Create a lively atmosphere with music, laughter, or joyful chatter
• Use bright and colorful visuals to enhance the feeling of fun and excitement
• Incorporate activities that are commonly associated with amusement, such as carnival games, amusement park rides, or playful sports

Verbs Associated with Amusement

Here are some verbs commonly associated with the emotion of amusement:

• Laughing
• Chuckling
• Grinning
• Smiling
• Giggling
• Tittering
• Chortling
• Snickering
• Teasing
• Joking
• Bantering
• Ribbing
• Playing pranks
• Pulling someone's leg
• Tickling
• Entertaining
• Amusing
• Delighting
• Regaling
• Diverting
• Tickling someone's funny bone
• Breaking someone up

Emotions Before Amusement

Here are some emotions that may come before a character experiences amusement:

• Anticipation
• Curiosity
• Surprise
• Shock
• Confusion
• Disbelief
• Skepticism
• Incredulity
• Suspicion
• Doubt
• Cynicism
• Irony
• Sarcasm
• Contempt
• Disgust

Emotions After Amusement

Here are some emotions that may come after a character experiences amusement:

• Contempt
• Disapproval
• Irritation
• Resentment
• Outrage
• Envy
• Frustration
• Disgust
• Bitterness
• Hostility
• Cynicism
• Skepticism
• Disbelief

Telling Amusement Examples to Avoid

Here are some examples of telling the emotion amusement in a sentence. You should avoid things like this:

• He was amused by her silly antics.
• She couldn't help but feel amused by his jokes.
• The sight of the clown made him feel amused.
• The comedian's routine was so funny, it left the audience feeling amused.
• Despite her bad mood, she found herself feeling amused by the playful puppy.
• He tried to hide his amusement at her awkward dance moves.
• The situation was so absurd that they couldn't help but feel amused.
• Even though she was angry, she couldn't help feeling amused by his ridiculous excuses.
• The joke he told was so bad that no one could help but feel amused.

Practical Examples of Showing Amusement

Here are some examples of showing amusement in a sentence:

• She chuckled at the cat's playful antics as it chased its own tail.
• His eyes twinkled with mirth as he recounted a funny joke.
• The comedian's witty punchline elicited a burst of laughter from the audience.
• She couldn't help but smile as she watched the toddler clumsily dance to the music.

Exercises for Showing Amusement

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing amusement:

• Write a scene where your character is telling a funny story or joke to a group of friends.
• Describe a situation where your character witnesses something humorous happening to someone else and has a hard time containing their laughter.
• Write a monologue from your character's perspective about something they find hilarious or absurd.
• Describe a scenario where your character is trying to stifle their laughter in a serious or inappropriate situation, such as a funeral or a business meeting.
• Write a scene where your character is people-watching and making up humorous backstories for the strangers they see.
• Describe a moment where your character is reminiscing about a funny memory from their past.
• Write a dialogue between your character and someone they find amusing, such as a witty friend or a comedian they admire.
• Describe a situation where your character is trying to cheer someone up by making them laugh.
• Write a scene where your character is watching a comedy show or movie and reacting to the jokes.

Want more help with showing emotion instead of telling? You find more help in our full list of emotions.