EMOTION THESAURUS

SURPRISE



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HELPFUL TIP:

The inner landscape of your characters (especially your protagonist) is the lifeblood that runs through your story. Emotions, and how they're expressed, are tied deeply to a character’s personality and which positive traits and negative traits will manifest. To bring your readers in deeper through shared experience, consider filtering the setting descriptions through your character’s emotions while also exploring important colors, textures, and shapes through his or her senses.
DEFINITION:
Unexpectedly struck with a feeling of wonder, joy, or fear

SIMILAR EMOTIONS:

NOTES:
Surprise can be negative or positive

PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS:
The mouth falling open
Fingers touching parted lips
An incredulous stare or dazed look
Jerking the head back
Slapping the hands against the cheeks
A playful swat at a friend for causing the surprise
Shuffling back a step or two
A yelp, gasp, or squeal
Flinching and clutching one's fists to the chest
A sudden stiffening posture; rigid muscles
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INTERNAL SENSATIONS:
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MENTAL RESPONSES:
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CUES OF ACUTE OR LONG TERM SURPRISE:
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MAY ESCALATE TO:
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CUES OF SUPPRESSED SURPRISE:
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MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:
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ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS:
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