AMUSEMENT DEFINITION: Appealing to the sense of humor; experiencing entertainment or delight PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: A shiny or rosy face Raised or wiggling eyebrows Snorting or laughing Chuckling or cackling Displaying a wide grin Exchanging knowing looks with others Witty commentary and observations Turning away and bursting out in laughter A playful pinch, nudge, or shove Squinting, eyes lit with an inner glow or twinkle of mischief Smirking or offering a bemused smile Clutching at another person for support Gasping for air Slapping one’s knees or thighs Drumming one’s feet against the floor Falling against someone, shoulder to shoulder “Drunken” behavior (weaving, staggering, etc.) Repeating the punch line or a select word to spur more laughter A high voice Holding one’s sides Whimpers of mirth Spewing food or drink if laughter hits while eating or drinking Falling to the ground and rolling on the floor Sniffing as one’s nose runs Crashing into things; being clumsy but not caring A wide-eyed look that gets others dissolving into laughter again Bending double and gripping one’s knees Making gestures or funny expressions to escalate the laughter Holding onto a chair or wall for support Giggling, making faces, and winking Plucking at clothes to cool oneself down INTERNAL SENSATIONS: A pain in the ribs or stomach Wheezy breaths The body temperature jumping up Weakness in the limbs, especially the knees MENTAL RESPONSES: A need to sit down Replaying the humorous event Embellishing the event in one’s mind, increasing the mirth Wanting to keep the amusement going by adding to it with others Feeling lighter; one’s worries or concerns evaporating for the moment ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Uncontrollable laughter Laughing so hard it becomes soundless The body quaking Shaking the head emphatically A loss of body control (weak muscles, having a hard time staying upright, etc.) Begging people to stop An inability to form words Breathlessness Eyes tearing A sweaty, disheveled appearance Loss of bladder control Needing to leave the room SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Clamping the lips together Holding a hand up as if to sayNo more! Shaking the head Swallowing laughter Wiping at the mouth Avoiding eye contact with others Covering the mouth and biting one’s lips to hide a smile A reddening of the face Turning away to collect oneself Confining a laugh to a snort Pressing a fist against the lips MAY ESCALATE TO:Happiness,Satisfaction,Elation,Moved MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Admiration,Connectedness ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Banter, beam, cackle, catcall chuckle, clap, dance, entertain giggle, grin, heckle, holler hoot, howl, impress, joke kid, laugh, mime, mimic nudge, poke, prank, shout smile, smirk, snigger, snort tease, tickle, titillate, titter wheeze WRITER’S TIP:To add tension to a scene, include someone who carries emotional weight with your character. Who frightens them, creates anxiety, or makes them more volatile?