Emotion: Excitement

When you want to write the emotion excitement, 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 showing not telling and immerse your readers in your story.

Excitement is a feeling of enthusiasm, eagerness, and anticipation that arises in response to something that is exciting, thrilling, or inspiring. It is characterized by a heightened sense of energy, arousal, and engagement, and is often accompanied by physical sensations such as a racing heart, rapid breathing, and a surge of adrenaline. Excitement can be triggered by a variety of experiences, such as the anticipation of a new adventure, the thrill of a challenging task, or the joy of achieving a long-desired goal.

Different Types of Excitement

Here are some different types of excitement:

• Anticipation
• Enthusiasm
• Euphoria
• Thrill
• Ecstasy
• Joyfulness
• Eagerness
• Zeal
• Delight

Situations Associated with Excitement

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

• Anticipation of a positive outcome
• A new opportunity or experience
• Achieving a long-term goal
• Winning a competition or award
• Meeting a long-awaited person
• Unexpected good news or surprise
• Finding a solution to a difficult problem
• Starting a new chapter in life
• A thrilling adventure or activity

Physical Reactions to Excitement

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

• Rapid breathing and heart rate
• Flushed cheeks and increased skin temperature
• Dilated pupils and heightened sensory awareness
• Increased energy and restlessness
• Jumping or bouncing
• Talking quickly or loudly
• Expressive gestures and body movements
• Engaging in impulsive or risky behavior
• Laughing or screaming

Thoughts Associated with Excitement

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing excitement might have:

• I can't believe this is happening!
• I've been waiting for this moment forever.
• My heart is racing with anticipation.
• I feel like I'm on top of the world!
• I can't wait to see what's going to happen next.
• This is going to be so much fun!
• I feel alive and full of energy.
• I'm so grateful for this opportunity.
• I'm ready for anything that comes my way.

Atmosphere of Excitement

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

• Utilize vibrant and energetic language to describe the surroundings and environment.
• Incorporate bright colors, bold patterns, and lively sounds to create a sense of liveliness and dynamism.
• Add elements of movement and action, such as bustling crowds or lively music, to convey a sense of energy and excitement.
• Set the scene in a place that is naturally exhilarating, such as a theme park or a bustling city street.
• Use metaphors and similes to compare the setting to something exciting, such as a rollercoaster ride or a fireworks show.
• Build anticipation and excitement through foreshadowing or hints of something big or exciting about to happen.

Verbs Associated with Excitement

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

• Jumped
• Leapt
• Shrieked
• Danced
• Sprinted
• Laughed
• Clapped
• Hugged
• Grinned
• Gasped
• Giggled
• Bounced
• Exploded
• Celebrated
• Buzzed
• Anticipated
• Exclaimed
• Eagerly awaited
• Trembled
• Quivered

Emotions Before Excitement

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

• Anticipation
• Eagerness
• Enthusiasm
• Curiosity
• Hopefulness
• Optimism
• Awe

Emotions After Excitement

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

• Euphoria
• Contentment
• Satisfaction
• Gratitude
• Calm
• Relaxation
• Relief
• Anticipation
• Curiosity

Telling Excitement Examples to Avoid

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

• Sarah was excited about the upcoming concert.
• Tom couldn't wait to see what was inside the gift box.
• The team was thrilled to have won the championship.
• Jane felt a rush of excitement as she stepped onto the stage.
• Jake was pumped up for the big game.
• Mary was eager to start her new job.
• The news of the surprise party made Jack really excited.
• Emily was over the moon when she got the job offer.
• Mark was ecstatic to hear that he had been accepted into the program.

Practical Examples of Showing Excitement

Here are some examples of showing excitement in a sentence:

• I can't believe it! I won the lottery!
• The roller coaster was so thrilling, I felt my heart race with anticipation.
• I'm beyond pumped to start my new job next week!
• The surprise party for my birthday was the best thing ever!

Exercises for Showing Excitement

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing excitement:

• Describe a character's physical reaction to something exciting. How do their hands shake? Do they jump up and down?
• Write a scene where a character is planning a surprise party for someone they love. Show how excited they are to see their loved one's reaction.
• Write a scene where a character wins a competition or achieves a lifelong goal. Show the rush of excitement they feel in that moment.
• Create a character who is obsessed with a particular hobby or interest. Show how excited they are to learn new things and share their knowledge with others.
• Write a scene where a character is exploring a new place or trying a new experience for the first time. Show their excitement and wonder at the unknown.
• Create a character who is full of energy and enthusiasm. Show how they inspire others around them with their excitement.
• Write a scene where a character is reunited with someone they haven't seen in a long time. Show the joy and excitement of their reunion.

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