PHYSICAL FEATURE THESAURUS

HIPS



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HELPFUL TIP:

Physical features should do more than simply describe how a character looks. Just like their occupation or area of giftedness, a character's appearance can say a great deal about them. Hinting at traits through clothing choices, alluding to an emotional state through movements, and highlighting certain details for comparison or contrast purposes can help readers form opinions on who the character really is.
DESCRIPTORS AND KEY ELEMENTS:
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COMMON ACTIONS AND ALTERNATIVE WORDS TO DENOTE THEM:
Bump: bonk, push, shove, poke, kiss, butt, slam, smack, hit, check
Brush: nudge, graze, sweep, rub, caress, glance off, press, stroke, touch, slide
Buck: rise, lift, climb, boost, heft, hike, hoist, heave, thrust, shift, pump, tilt

EMOTIONS AND RELATED GESTURES:
  • A cocked hip is often a sign of confidence or dominance. Thrusting the pelvis forward or tucking one's thumbs into belt loops draws attention to one's virility and emphasizes a sense of control in a given situation.
  • A single hand on the hip with the body slightly curved around it sends a clear message of contempt.
  • A hand on the hip (one or both) with shoulders rolling forward slightly makes the body seem bigger and more menacing and is a stiff sign of impatience.

SIMILE AND METAPHOR EXAMPLES:
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CLICHÉS TO AVOID:
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BODY DESCRIPTION NOTES:
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