EXCITEMENT DEFINITION:The state of being energized or stimulated and provoked to act PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: A wide grin Eyes that sparkle and gleam Bouncing from foot to foot Squealing, hooting, yelling, and laughing Telling jokes Chest bumping with others A loud voice Singing, humming, or chanting Slam-dunking trash into a barrel after a game or event Babbling or talking over one another in a group setting Fanning oneself Clutching one’s fists to the chest and squeezing the body tight, then releasing Pretending to faint Clutching at oneself for comedic effect to amuse others Verbalizing thoughts and feelings without hesitation Lifting someone up or swinging them around Acting hyper, immature, or foolish out of a sense of fun A ruddy complexion Moving about, being unable to stay still Good-natured shoving and pushing Waving the arms and being demonstrative Drumming one’s feet against the floor Hugging others Grabbing onto someone’s arm and holding it Bumping shoulders with others in one’s group Raising up or bouncing on tiptoe Phoning or texting to share news or pass on the excitement Speed-talking with others, heads close together Throaty laughter Getting the giggles Friendly demands:Tell me! Show me! Let’s go! A body that’s constantly in motion (nodding, bobbing, weaving, pacing, etc.) Walking with a fast-paced strut Making eye contact with others; showing confidence Displaying affection with friends or loved ones INTERNAL SENSATIONS: A lightness in the chest A fast pulse Feeling like one’s insides are vibrating Dry mouth Heightened senses Breathlessness Feeling energized and awake due to an adrenaline rush MENTAL RESPONSES: Camaraderie with others Imagining what could happen Enjoyment of the communal energy Impatience Being agreeable to ideas and suggestions that align with the energy one feels ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: A need to run, jump, scream, or whoop it up An intense desire to share the feeling with others A beaming face A racing heartbeat Sweating A hoarse voice from screaming, yelling, or shouting A loss of inhibitions SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Controlling one’s movement with intent Biting down on a smile Swallowing a laugh or shout of glee Smoothing down clothing as a way of releasing one’s energy Eyes that glow with an inner light Nodding rather than speaking MAY ESCALATE TO:Amazement,Happiness,Elation MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Satisfaction,Disappointment ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Bounce, bubble, build, buzz drum, fill, glow, grip gyrate, intensify, jiggle, jump laugh, leap, mount, pound pump, quicken, quiver, race squeal, stir, suppress, surge swell, tingle, tremble, vibrate whirl, whoop, yell WRITER’S TIP:If you’re stuck on how to show an emotion, form a strong image of the scene in your mind. Let the scene unfold, and watch the character to see how they move and behave.