anger description for creative writing

How to Show Anger in Writing (13 Fiery Tips + Examples)

Expressing anger in writing is all about striking the right chord without losing your melody.

Here’s a deep dive into making your words burn with intensity, yet not scorch the essence of your narrative.

Whether you’re penning a novel, dishing out a blog, or scripting for screens, these 13 fiery tips—punctuated with examples—will stoke your creative flames. Let’s ignite your stories!

Here’s how to show anger in writing.

1) Know the Spectrum of Anger

Table of Contents

Anger isn’t one-size-fits-all. It ranges from simmering annoyance to volcanic eruptions.

Recognizing this spectrum in your writing adds depth and realism.

I’ve written angry characters many times in my short stories and novels l– such as in my Past Lives series.

• Subtle Irritation : Characters might use short, clipped sentences. Their annoyance bubbles under the surface, revealed through terse dialogue or brisk actions.
• Blazing Rage : Here, descriptions become more intense. Language is vivid, possibly chaotic, mirroring the turmoil of unbridled anger.

Example : Compare “She was irritated by his lateness” to “Each tick of the clock was a hammer to her patience, her irritation boiling into a tempest with every wasted minute.”

2) Show the Anger, Don’t Tell the Anger

Telling readers a character is angry is one thing; showing them through actions, body language, and dialogue is another.

This approach breathes life into your scenes.

• Body Language : Clenched fists, narrowed eyes, and stiff posture are classic indicators.
• Actions : Actions speak louder than words. A character slamming a door or shattering a glass captures anger vividly.
• Dialogue : Sharp, biting dialogue can convey anger more effectively than descriptions of feelings.

Example : “Her words were ice, each syllable a dagger cloaked in venom.”

3) Use Sensory Details

Engage the senses to make your readers feel the anger.

Describe the physical sensations of anger in your character or setting.

• Sound : Raised voices, heavy breathing, or the crunch of breaking objects.
• Sight : The flush of cheeks, the lightning of a storm brewing in someone’s eyes.
• Touch : The heat of flushed skin, the tension in the air.

Example : “The room seemed to pulse with his rage, air thick as if charged with electricity, every breath a struggle against the storm within.”

4) Vary Sentence Structure

Anger can disrupt the flow of thoughts, leading to fragmented sentences or, conversely, long, run-on sentences as thoughts spiral out of control.

• Short, Choppy Sentences : Indicate quick, sharp thoughts or actions.
• Long, Unwinding Sentences : Show a buildup of anger, a mind racing faster than words can follow.

Example : “Stop. Just—stop. Words like bullets, thoughts a jumbled mess. He couldn’t—wouldn’t—listen.”

5) Use Fiery Metaphors and Similes

Comparisons can powerfully convey anger, painting vivid pictures in the reader’s mind.

• Metaphors : Describe anger as a wildfire, a storm, a beast.
• Similes : Anger like a thorn in one’s side, as volatile as a chemical reaction.

Example : “His anger was a tornado, indiscriminate in its destruction.”

6) Incorporate Internal Monologue

Internal monologues allow readers inside a character’s head, providing a firsthand look at their anger.

• Thoughts vs. Reality : Contrast what a character thinks with what they say or do.
• Rationalization : Characters may justify their anger to themselves, offering deeper insight.

Example : “In his mind, he was justified, each reason a brick in the fortress of his rage.”

7) Leverage Dialogue Tags and Action Beats

Dialogue tags and action beats can subtly indicate anger, adding dynamism to conversations.

• Tags : Use verbs like “snapped,” “hissed,” or “growled” sparingly for impact.
• Action Beats : Intersperse dialogue with actions that show anger.

Example : “‘Fine,’ he growled, the word more an animal snarl than a human response.”

8) Choose Your Words Carefully

The right words can make or break the intensity of a scene.

Opt for strong, vivid vocabulary that conveys the heat of anger.

• Adjectives and Verbs : Select those that pack an emotional punch.
• Avoid Clichés : Fresh, innovative descriptions keep readers engaged.

Example : “Each accusation was a venom-tipped arrow, words meant to wound.”

9) Reflect Anger in the Setting

The setting can mirror a character’s emotions, enhancing the mood.

• Weather : Storms, wind, or oppressive heat can parallel anger.
• Environment : A room might feel smaller, claustrophobic, as tension mounts.

10) Use Pacing to Build Tension

Pacing is crucial in portraying anger. Slow buildups can lead to explosive confrontations, while rapid escalations can underscore a character’s volatile nature.

• Build Tension Slowly : Let the anger simmer, building it through subtle cues before it boils over.
• Quick Escalation : Sudden outbursts can shock and engage readers, showcasing the unpredictability of rage.

Example : “The silence that filled the room was the calm before the storm, an ominous quiet that preceded the eruption of his pent-up fury.”

11) Explore the Roots of Anger

Understanding and conveying why a character is angry adds layers to your narrative. It makes their anger relatable and justified, even if the readers don’t agree.

• Backstory : Brief glimpses into the character’s past can illuminate the roots of their anger.
• Triggers : Identify what sparks anger in your character. Is it a word, an action, or a memory?

Example : “Old wounds were tender, and the mere mention of his father was a lit match to the kindling of his unresolved anger.”

12) Address the Aftermath of Anger

The consequences of anger can be as important as its expression. Addressing the aftermath adds realism and depth.

• Reflection : Characters might reflect on their anger, experiencing regret, justification, or even pride.
• Impact on Relationships : Anger can forge new bonds, strain existing ones, or break ties altogether.

Example : “In the quiet that followed his storm, he was left to survey the wreckage of words unsaid and bridges burned.”

13) Infuse Empathy into Angry Characters

Readers should understand, if not sympathize with, your angry characters.

By infusing empathy into your portrayal, you make their anger meaningful rather than off-putting.

• Humanize : Show vulnerable moments or justified reasons behind their anger.
• Consequences : Demonstrate awareness of their actions’ impact, adding layers to their character.

Example : “Behind his furious facade lay a quivering fear, a dread that his anger was all that kept the world at bay.”

Bonus Tip: Edit Anger with Precision

Once you’ve drafted your fiery prose, refining your depiction of anger is key. Editing allows you to ensure that the anger serves the story and character development.

• Balance : Ensure anger doesn’t overshadow other emotions or narrative elements.
• Consistency : Keep characters’ reactions in line with their development and backstory.

Example : “He reined in his temper, channeling the inferno within into a focused beam of determination.”

Here is a good video about how to show anger in writing:

Showing Anger in Special Circumstances

Below is a table that pairs various contexts with suggestions on how to describe or show the specific form of anger relevant to each situation.

Anger Across Genres: Three Scene Examples

Anger, a universal emotion, takes on unique shades in different genres.

Each of the following scenes illustrates how to weave anger into narratives, from the raw intensity of a thriller, the complex dynamics of a family drama, to the shadowed corridors of a fantasy saga.

Thriller: The Chase

Detective Lara Hale’s heartbeat thumped in her ears, mirroring the rhythm of her pounding footsteps on the rain-slick pavement.

Her breath formed misty clouds in the cold night air as she pursued the silhouette darting through the maze of alleyways. “Stop!” she bellowed, her voice laced with a fury fueled by months of dead ends and tonight’s near miss. The frustration of the chase, the anger at the faceless figure always slipping through her fingers, surged through her veins like fire. –

Each stride was powered by a cocktail of adrenaline and rage, the kind that blurred the lines between justice and vengeance. As she rounded the corner, the suspect stumbled, and Lara’s anger morphed into a predatory smile. This time, she vowed, there would be no escape.

Family Drama: The Broken Vase

The crash of the vase breaking echoed through the hallways of the Thompson household, a sound far too familiar yet always jarring. Margaret stood frozen, shards of glass scattered at her feet like crystal tears, the roses they once held wilted by the tension in the air.

“Jonathan, I—” she began, only to be cut off by Jonathan’s towering presence at the doorway. “Another one, Margaret? Really?” His voice was a low simmer, disappointment etching deeper furrows in his brow. This wasn’t just about the vase, or the many before it. It was about unspoken grievances, the kind that festered. Margaret’s hands trembled, not from the cold but from the rising tide of frustration.

“Maybe if you listened for once—” she snapped back, her voice cracking like the vase, her anger a reflection of years of feeling unheard, unseen. In the debris of their marriage, anger was the only thing that still dared to bloom.

Fantasy: The Duel

In the heart of the Eldritch Forest, under a canopy of whispering leaves, Sir Elden faced his betrayer, Lord Draven. The air was thick with ancient magic, the ground sacred and soaked with the blood of legends. “You dare challenge me in the lands of my ancestors?” Draven’s voice boomed, a thunderous declaration laced with dark power.

Elden’s response was a quiet storm, his anger not loud but deep, an abyss from which there was no return. “For the kingdom, for my sister, I will end this,” he declared, drawing his sword, a blade forged from starfire and vengeance. The duel was not just a clash of steel but of wills, a dance of fury and finesse. Elden’s every move was fueled by a righteous anger, a burning desire to restore balance and honor.

As the swords met, sparks flew, illuminating the forest with the light of their rage, a testament to the fact that some battles were driven by a love so fierce, it could only be expressed through anger.

Final Thoughts: How to Show Anger in Writing?

Portraying anger in writing demands a blend of finesse, empathy, and strategic storytelling.

By employing these 13 tips, you’ll be able to weave complex tapestries of emotion that resonate with readers and enrich your narratives. Remember, anger, when used judiciously, can illuminate characters’ depths, propel plots, and engage readers on a primal level.

Now, armed with these strategies, set your pages ablaze—metaphorically, of course.

Related Posts:

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How to Express Anger in Writing

Last Updated: April 30, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was reviewed by Gerald Posner and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Gerald Posner is an Author & Journalist based in Miami, Florida. With over 35 years of experience, he specializes in investigative journalism, nonfiction books, and editorials. He holds a law degree from UC College of the Law, San Francisco, and a BA in Political Science from the University of California-Berkeley. He’s the author of thirteen books, including several New York Times bestsellers, the winner of the Florida Book Award for General Nonfiction, and has been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History. He was also shortlisted for the Best Business Book of 2020 by the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 128,363 times.

You can't write a great story without emotion and anger can be one of the most powerful emotions people have. What makes a character angry and how they deal with that anger tells your readers a lot about that character. To make it compelling, though, you can't just have a character say "I'm angry." They need to show that anger through action that advances the plot. Here, we've gathered some ideas you can use to express anger in your writing.

Show the angry character's behavior.

• For example, you might write: "Mia slammed the phone down on the table and stormed out of the room." While your character hasn't involved anyone else, it's pretty obvious from her behavior that she's angry.
• For a more confrontational scene, you might write: "Kale stepped toward Micah, glaring at him. Before Micah could react, Kale shoved him backward, screaming, 'How could you do that?'"

Describe the character's facial expression.

• For example, you might write: "Alex's nostrils flared as he stared at Jenna. He couldn't believe she'd taken Michael to the game without asking him first."
• Here are some other phrases: "hostile glare," "face contorted with rage," "bared teeth," "curled lip," "clenched jaw."
• Eyes are often considered containers or gateways to emotional expression, so you can also show anger just by describing the character's eyes. [3] X Research source For example, you might write, "Jenna's eyes hardened and narrowed into slits as she watched Tara enter arm-in-arm with her ex-girlfriend, Mia."

Add angry body language.

• For example, you might write: "Brooklyn stood, their fists clenched by their sides, and rolled their shoulders back, glaring at Trinity. 'Care to say that again?'"
• Other angry body language includes wild gestures, pointing at or grabbing another character, pacing rapidly, or tensing their muscles.

Include physical side effects triggered by anger.

• For example, you might write: "Sara's heart raced in her chest as she looked at her phone. She willed her hand to stop shaking as she slowly read the text again."
• Other physical effects of anger include pulsing or throbbing veins, a flushed face or neck, a dry mouth, or breathlessness.

Report the angry character's thoughts.

• For example, you might write: "The room felt like it was closing in around me. In my mind, I was growing larger and larger, expanding with rage. If I didn't do something, fast, to get myself under control, I'd explode and take out everyone and everything around me."
• This can also work in a third-person narrative if your narrator is omniscient. For example, you might write: "Kieran gripped the glass in his hand. His first thought was to throw it to the floor and smash it, but he knew if he did that, he wouldn't stop until every glass in the cupboard was in shards."

Describe how other characters react to the anger.

• For example, you might write: "Mara looked away from Sean and slumped in her chair, crossing her arms across her chest. The more he fumed, the smaller she made herself."
• You might also have another character attempt to calm or restrain the angry character. They might say something like, "Hey, easy man—no need to get worked up," or "There are more important things—just let it go."
• For yet another option, have a character throw out an obvious (and awkward) distraction or attempt to change the subject. Make it clear in your narration that they're trying to divert attention from either the angry character or the source of the anger.

Use an abrupt, staccato sentence structure.

• For example, you might write: "Ronan made his way across the dance floor with eyes shooting lasers. The walls. The speakers. The lights. The DJ. Smiles crashed and laughter died. Only Josh and Sam danced on, oblivious."
• Go for short, harsh-sounding words like "smash," "crash," "halt," "force," "blast," or "slam."

Express inner turmoil by having a character isolate themselves.

• For example, you might write: "Kairi sat in the dark, ignoring her mother's calls to come eat dinner. She continued to cut the photos into strips and hold them in the candle's flame, oblivious to the pain in her fingertips as she destroyed all evidence of her former friendship."
• Your character might be angry at themselves more than anyone else. They might also be mad at a situation but blame themselves for that situation. In those scenarios, they're more likely to take that anger out on themselves than on someone else.
• Other ways a character might take anger out on themselves include isolating themselves from others, refusing comfort from others, or hurting themselves.

Use sarcasm to show passive-aggressive anger.

• For example, you might write: "'Hey, dinner's ready. Thanks for all your help,' Hermione said, rolling her eyes. After 4 hours in the kitchen, the least they could do is eat."
• Another good way to convey sarcasm is to have your angry character say the opposite of what would be expected. For example, if someone lets a door close in your angry character's face, they might say "Thanks for holding the door for me, I appreciate it!"
• Using over-the-top adjectives is another way to convey sarcasm. For example, suppose you have a character who tries to distract your angry character by asking if they've seen a film that was recently released. Your angry character might reply, "Yes, and it was glorious. Now, can we get back to what happened in the kitchen?"

Avoid adjectives that describe emotions.

• For example, instead of writing "Even though it had been 5 years, John was still angry at Susan," you might write "Even though it had been 5 years, John's face still burned when he thought of Susan's betrayal."

Expert Q&A

• What triggers anger? Keep these triggers specific and consistent for each character to make your characters more realistic. [10] X Trustworthy Source American Psychological Association Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists Go to source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Try keeping a journal to document your own emotional experiences. It can help you describe your characters' feelings in a more realistic way. [11] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Avoid clichés. A phrase that's been overused to show anger won't have the impact a more original phrase would. Thanks Helpful 6 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/anger-how-it-affects-people
• ↑ https://psychcentral.com/blog/everyday-creativity/2016/09/5-ways-to-process-your-emotions-through-writing
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/rethinking-men/202207/how-the-eyes-express-emotions-and-bodily-states
• ↑ https://positivepsychology.com/express-emotions/
• ↑ https://positivepsychology.com/express-feelings/
• ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3830620/
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/passive-aggression
• ↑ https://www.apa.org/topics/anger/understanding
• ↑ https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-journaling/

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37 Ways To Write About Anger

In this post, we have included 37 things for you to consider when you write about anger . 

Other posts in this series include:

• 29 Ways To Write About Happiness
• 32 Ways To Write About Fear
• 43 Ways To Write About Love
• 40 Ways To Write About Empathy
• 37 Ways To Write About Grief

How do we write about anger in an authentic way?

We all get angry. It is natural and it can be a good thing. When it is uncontrolled or unnecessary, anger will not do us any favours on either a personal or a social level.

The same is true for the characters we create. When we write about angry characters , we should remember that there is always something behind this emotion. Anger is usually a surface emotion. It is a reaction to an underlying problem.

[Use our Character Creation Kit to create great characters for your stories.]

A)  Motivation

• Frustrated.
• Embarrassed.

B)  Body Language

• An increased heart rate.
• Feeling hot or flushed.
• A clenched jaw.
• A dry mouth.
• Shouting, ranting, making loud noises.
• Baring teeth.
• Finding it difficult to hear.
• Tense muscles.

C)  Passive Or Aggressive – How Angry Is Your Character?

• We withdraw – passive behaviour
• We lash out – aggressive behaviour

D)   Ways To Create Conflict With Anger

Seven ways a character can show passive anger:.

• Being defeatist . Examples: underachieving, choosing to repeat a proven failed behaviour pattern, being accident-prone.
• Being secretive . Examples: anonymous complaints, gossiping, conning.
• With dispassion . Examples: giving the cold shoulder, the silent treatment, substance abuse, talking about emotions without showing any, oversleeping, playing with electronic equipment or machines.
• Evasion . Examples: avoiding conflict, becoming phobic.
• Exhibiting obsessive behaviour . Examples: overeating or dieting too much, obsessively tidying up.
• Manipulation . Examples: provoking bad behaviour in others, playing the victim, emotional blackmail, feigning illness, using other people to deliver negative messages.
• Self-Blame . Examples: apologising for everything, criticising their own behaviour, inviting criticism.

Source:  SavageChickens

Seven ways a character can show aggressive anger:

• Behaving manically . Examples: speaking, moving, and driving too quickly; overworking; spending too much money.
• Being physically destructive . Examples: vandalism, reckless driving, substance abuse, harming animals.
• Being selfish . Examples: being unpredictable, ignoring other people’s feelings and needs, ignoring requests for help.
• Being vengeful . Examples: holding a grudge, planning to hurt someone.
• Bullying . Examples: making threats, persecuting, misusing power, shouting, explosive rages over small problems, illogical arguments.
• Physically or psychologically hurting people . Examples: sexual abuse, verbal abuse, ignoring people’s feelings, punishing people, making inappropriate jokes, being vulgar, blaming people for something they did not do.
• Showing off . Examples: talking over other people, throwing money around, acting as if you are better than someone else is, lying about achievements.

Tip: Try The 12 Question Fiction Writing Conflict Test to see if you have enough conflict in your novel.

E)  The Importance Of Anger In Plotting

• You can force a confrontation that moves the plot forward . A character may use it as a catalyst that allows an escape from an unhealthy relationship.
• You can reveal another side to a character that nobody dreamt existed. The mild-mannered man nobody suspects of domestic violence could be revealed with an angry outburst.
• You can also use it as a transformative experience. A character who has reacted angrily to an event could regret it and choose to change his or her behaviour.

How do your important characters deal with anger?

• 4 0 Ways To Write About Empath y

I hope this post has given you some ideas on how to write about anger .

Source for examples of passive and aggressive anger

© Amanda Patterson

• How To Write A One-Page Synopsis
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Top Tip : Find out more about our  workbooks  and  online courses  in our  shop .

• Body Language , Creating Characters , Description , Show Don't Tell , Writing Tips from Amanda Patterson

10 thoughts on “37 Ways To Write About Anger”

This was very helpful. Thanks Amanda and your team for the great work you do.

Thank you, Kim. I’m glad it helped.

Nice looking webpage. My eyes thank you.

Some great tips. Thanks.

Thank you for the feedback.

How to show frustration when the character can’t talk?

was helpful

J.S. you could use these Cheat Sheets For Writing Body Language https://writerswrite.co.za//cheat-sheets-translate-emotions-into-written-body-language

Thanks for this list. I’ve pinned it, tweeted it, facebook posted it and liked it on stumble upon. This is invaluable.

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How to Describe Anger in a Character

By Isobel Coughlan

In this post, we explain how to describe anger in a character through 10 words. Scroll down to learn more!

A type of anger that is strong and tough to control .

“The villain raged through the streets, destroying cars and buildings as he passed by.”

“The witch screamed with rage when she realized her plans had been ruined.”

How it Adds Description

You can use “rage” to show that your character is experiencing strong anger that they’re finding difficult to control. This is often applied to villains, as they tend to have evil or uncontrollable personalities. If a villainous character is “raging,” most other characters will likely fear them and try to stay away from their emotional outbursts.

2. Irritated

Someone who is angered or provoked.

“The hero became irritated when no one would listen to him. But he ignored his frustration and continued doing good.”

“She felt irritation rising inside her when she heard her enemy was cooking up a new plan.”

“Irritated” describes a lesser form of anger, which is often seen in moral or good characters — for example, protagonists. Heroes or good guys might become “irritated” when plot events don’t go their way, but due to their principles, they know better than to unleash violent anger on other innocent characters.

When someone or somewhere is extremely quiet .

“The man was silent with anger, but his friends could see his blood was boiling.”

“After being publicly humiliated, Todd was silent with anger. He started planning his revenge instantly.”

The word “silent” shows that a character is so angry that they’re wordless. This is most common in characters who are cold and calculating, and these characters are typically antagonists. Characters who go “silent” with rage may avoid dramatic confrontations but aren’t afraid to take revenge via clever plans.

Someone who is disappointed and angry.

“She was never outwardly angry, but her friends noticed her bitter actions.”

“Anna’s bitter actions annoyed her co-workers, and soon they were ignoring her in the lunchroom.”

If you want to show a resentful character is angry, “bitter” could be an apt word to use. “Bitter” shows that the character feels like they’ve been treated unfairly, and thus they’re acting out towards others in minor ways. Self-centered characters tend to be “bitter,” especially when they believe they’re the victim all the time.

Someone who is aggressive and unfriendly.

“The new boss was hostile to his employees once he found out they didn’t like his new ideas.”

“Chad was extremely hostile to everyone after receiving his test results.”

“Hostile” describes how a character acts towards others when angry. This aggressive behavior is prominent in characters with a short fuse, and they’re most likely antagonists. Other characters likely dislike them due to their “hostile” nature, and this gets worse when they’re provoked or angry.

6. Exasperated

Someone who is angry or frustrated due to another’s actions.

“The wizard was exasperated after the elves asked him to repeat his spell for the fifth time.”

“Shelley tried not to look exasperated , but after a long day of dealing with other people’s mistakes, it was tough to hide her anger.”

Characters who are very good and well-meaning are likely to show their anger through “exasperation.” This means they’re angry due to external factors, and for a good protagonist, this is often due to helping others. Moral characters will try to hide their “exasperated” feelings so as not to hurt others, but sometimes they slip out — especially in high-pressure situations.

Someone extremely angry.

“Captain Hook looked at the peaceful island and became furious . He wanted to own it all.”

“The grand high witch was furious when she saw the children playing freely.”

If you want to highlight an antagonist’s extreme anger, you can describe them as “furious.” This adjective shows that their emotions are intense, and they’re not scared of showing them. Some antagonists and villains might use their anger and “fury” to scare subordinates into submission or to terrorize their enemies.

8. Distressed

Someone that’s upset or emotional due to anger.

“Emma was so furious, all she could do was cry. She hasn’t felt this distressed since her college application was rejected.”

“Alice looked around at all the other beauty queens, and distress seized her. She was fighting to hold back the tears.

Sometimes a character can become so angry or frustrated that they become “distressed” or emotional. This is more common in feminine or female characters, as they tend to be more in touch with their emotions and allow themselves to experience their feelings. You can also use “distressed” to show your character’s anger is overwhelming them.

To be slightly annoyed or angry.

“The young boy was miffed at the other children when they didn’t let him play hopscotch.”

“Though she had signed up for an internship, Ellie was still miffed that she didn’t get paid.”

If you want to show that a character is only slightly annoyed or angry, “miffed” is a good word to use. This shows that the character isn’t experiencing strong emotions but also isn’t happy with the situation. Being “miffed” is more common for sensitive characters, as they may take other people’s actions to heart.

10. Offended

Someone upset, angered, or hurt by someone else’s actions.

“The prince was offended by the sight of the lowly peasants, and he screwed his face up when they got too close.”

“Samantha refused to chat with her workers and was offended they thought she was their equal.”

To describe a nasty character’s anger, “offended” can help. “Offended” describes anger fueled by insecurity or hurt, and nasty characters might feel offended for seemingly insignificant reasons. The cause of the offense might even fuel the nasty character’s antagonistic motivations, giving the reader a glimpse into their nature.

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10 Ways To Describe Anger In Writing?

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by anger, struggling to put those fiery emotions into words? Whether it’s the simmering frustration of daily life or the intense heat of a personal conflict, anger is an emotion we all experience at some point.

Understanding how to describe anger in writing can be a powerful and therapeutic way to deal with these feelings.

Even though anger is a normal emotion , an effective control plan can help a person communicate the emotions positively. This blog aims to help you navigate anger. We will explore various writing techniques that can give voice to your anger, helping you put your feelings into words that truly resonate.

But it’s not just about venting; it’s about doing so constructively. We’ll provide you with tips on how to express your anger in an emotionally satisfying way, respectful, and considerate way. Words have immense power, and we want to show you how to use that power wisely.

Moreover, writing about your anger can be therapeutic. It can provide a release, clarity, and even healing. Join us as we try to understand anger, write about it, and become stronger and more self-aware from the process.

10 Effective Ways to Describe Anger in Writing

When penning down your emotions, effectively describing anger is an art that can captivate readers and convey complex emotions. It can also help you manage your emotions constructively.

Today, we are exploring practical techniques and strategies that will empower your words to vividly depict anger, creating a powerful connection between your writing and your emotions.

1. Reveal the Angry Character

It’s essential to reveal the inner workings of the character experiencing this emotion to convey anger effectively in writing. Anger isn’t just a feeling; it’s often a reaction to external stimuli or internal conflict.

Therefore, it’s crucial to explore what triggers the anger, whether it’s a specific event, a long-standing issue, or a culmination of frustrations. Understanding the root cause of anger allows your readers to empathize with the character’s emotional journey.

Diving into the character’s history, personality, and current circumstances is equally vital. These factors shape how anger is expressed . For example, a character with a history of betrayal may exhibit anger differently from someone who’s generally quick-tempered.

By providing insights into your character’s psyche through inner monologues, flashbacks, or dialogue, you create a deeper connection between readers and the character’s emotional experience.

Whether your goal is to craft compelling characters in a novel or to authentically journal your own experiences, allowing readers to grasp the complexities of your character’s anger is vital to compelling storytelling.

2. Portray the Facial Expression of the Character

Facial expressions are powerful tools for conveying anger in writing. They provide a visual cue that helps readers visualize the character’s emotional state. When a character is angry, their face can undergo significant changes.

Describe how their jaw tightens, nostrils flare, brows furrow, and eyes narrow or intensify. These physical manifestations vividly depict anger and make it relatable to readers.

Furthermore, the character’s facial expression can directly impact their interactions with others. A scowl may intimidate those around them, while clenched fists could be perceived as a warning of potential aggression.

Gritted teeth might signal extreme frustration. The subtler aspects of facial expression, such as a quivering lip or teary eyes, add depth to the character’s anger by revealing vulnerability and complex emotions beneath the surface.

By effectively portraying the character’s facial expression, you provide readers with a rich sensory experience that allows them to feel the character’s anger and connect more deeply with the narrative.

3. Incorporate Angry Body Language

Anger is a full-body experience, and the character’s body language plays a pivotal role in conveying this emotion in writing. Consider how the character moves and holds themselves when angry.

Do they pace back and forth, stomp their feet, or slam doors? These physical actions illustrate their frustration and create a sense of restlessness and pent-up energy.

The character’s body language can also reveal their emotional state. For example, standing tall and confrontational may suggest confidence and aggression, while slouching or shrinking in on themselves can indicate vulnerability or defensiveness. Additionally, showing the symptoms of verbal anger will also help the readers related to the character.

Describing these bodily actions and postures enriches the reader’s understanding of the character’s emotional journey.

Moreover, paying attention to the subtler, more nuanced aspects of body language is crucial. Does the character clench their fists, cross their arms defensively, or nervously tap their fingers? These small gestures convey various shades of anger, from simmering irritation to explosive rage.

Effectively incorporating angry body language into your writing helps readers see and feel the character’s emotional turmoil, making the narrative more immersive and engaging.

4. Physiological Reactions Triggered by Anger

Describing the physiological reactions of an angry character is a powerful way to immerse readers in the emotional experience. Anger isn’t solely a cognitive response; it’s a bodily one.

When someone is angry, their heart may race, their muscles may tense, and their face may flush. These physiological responses are outward signs of inner turmoil, and conveying them effectively can make the character’s anger vivid and relatable.

You can describe the character’s heart pounding like a drum, their fists clenching until their knuckles turn white, or the heat rising in their cheeks. These physical reactions provide a visceral connection, allowing readers to observe and feel the character’s anger.

These descriptions add depth to the narrative and help readers fully grasp the intensity of the emotion.

5. Describe the Angry Character’s Thoughts

Anger is a complex emotion often accompanied by a barrage of thoughts. To effectively convey anger in writing, delve into the character’s thought process.

Are they ruminating on past injustices? Are they struggling to find the right words to express their anger? Are they wrestling with conflicting feelings? These internal dialogues provide insight into the characters’ emotional state, motivations, and how they plan to deal with their anger.

The reader is privy to the character’s inner world by describing the character’s thoughts. Are they plotting revenge, seeking justice, or merely venting their frustrations internally? The character’s thought process can vary widely based on their personality, experiences, and the circumstances that triggered their anger.

This insight helps readers relate to the character more deeply, enhancing their engagement with the story.

6. Explain How Other Characters React to the Anger

In storytelling, it’s not just the angry character’s response that matters; it’s also how others react to their anger. When one character is angry, it can create a chain reaction of emotions and actions in those around them.

Describe how people respond to the character’s anger – do they back away, try to defuse the situation, or challenge the character further?

The reactions of other characters can provide valuable context and contrast, revealing the impact of the anger on relationships and the overall story. Do they empathize with the character’s anger or see it as an overreaction?

These responses create tension and dynamics that add depth to the narrative, offering readers a more comprehensive understanding of the character’s anger and consequences. This enriches the story and keeps readers engaged by highlighting the ripple effect of the character’s anger on the plot and other characters.

7. Use a Sharp and Staccato Sentence Structure

The choice of sentence structure can significantly influence how anger is conveyed in writing. A sharp sentence structure involves short, abrupt sentences that mimic the quick, intense bursts of emotion often associated with anger.

This technique creates a sense of urgency, tension, and impatience in the reader. It mirrors the character’s racing thoughts and difficulty controlling their emotions.

For instance, instead of using long, flowing sentences, opt for sentences that are succinct and to the point. These can replicate the character’s clipped speech and the abruptness of their reactions.

This technique effectively mirrors the character’s emotional state, allowing readers to experience the raw, unfiltered anger.

The sharp and staccato sentence structure is a powerful tool for capturing the character’s emotions. It can be used in their dialogue, internal monologues, and descriptions of their actions. It’s a way to immerse readers in the character’s emotional turmoil and make the narrative more engaging and dynamic.

8. Articulate Inner Turmoil Through Character Isolation

Anger often brings with it a sense of isolation. When a character is angry, they may withdraw emotionally, creating a barrier between themselves and others. To effectively convey this in writing, describe the character’s actions and thought processes that signify their isolation.

For instance, you can depict the character’s tendency to distance themselves from friends and loved ones during anger. Their choice to brood alone, the reluctance to share their thoughts and feelings, or even their physical withdrawal from social situations can communicate their emotional isolation.

Furthermore, you can articulate the character’s internal struggle to bridge the gap between their anger and desire for connection. This internal conflict provides depth to the character’s experience as they grapple with their anger while longing for understanding and reconciliation.

By emphasizing the character’s isolation, you give readers a window into their inner turmoil, allowing them to connect with the character on a deeper level. Readers can empathize with the character’s struggle to balance their anger and need for connection, making the emotional journey more relatable and engaging.

9. Add Sarcasm to Demonstrate Passive-Aggressive Anger

Sarcasm is a powerful literary device that effectively conveys passive-aggressive anger in writing. When a character uses sarcasm, they say one thing while implying the opposite, often with mockery or contempt.

This can be a subtle way to express anger without directly addressing it. To use sarcasm effectively, consider the character’s tone, choice of words, and the context in which it is employed.

Sarcastic comments can reveal the character’s frustration or annoyance while maintaining a façade of humor or indifference. It’s a means of venting anger indirectly, making it a valuable tool for characters who may not want to confront or express their anger openly. However, remember that sarcasm should be carefully balanced; too much can make the character appear insincere or overly bitter.

This technique adds depth to your character and their interactions, allowing readers to decipher the underlying anger and the dynamics at play. It’s a subtle way to show that the character is not just upset but also skilled in passive-aggressive communication.

10. Refrain from Using Emotion-Describing Adjectives

A common pitfall in describing emotions in writing is relying too heavily on adjectives to label the character’s feelings directly. While this approach can be helpful in moderation, it often leads to telling rather than showing.

To convey anger effectively, it’s crucial to avoid simply stating that the character is “angry,” “furious,” or “irritated.” Instead, show the anger through the character’s actions, thoughts, and dialogue.

For example, rather than saying, “She was angry,” you could describe the character clenching her fists, her face flushing, and her voice rising in sharp, accusatory tones during a heated argument. Allowing the character’s behavior and expressions to convey anger engages the reader’s senses and imagination, making the emotion more vivid and relatable.

Refraining from emotion-describing adjectives encourages you to use more nuanced and evocative language, which can paint a richer and more immersive emotional landscape. It forces you to delve deeper into your character’s perspective and unique anger experience, making the narrative more engaging and authentic.

Throughout this blog, we’ve explored how to describe anger in writing so you can manage the angry emotions constructively .

Describing the character’s physiological reactions, such as racing hearts or clenched fists, makes the emotion tangible and relatable. Diving into the character’s thoughts and emotions provides insight into their emotional journey, fostering a deeper connection with readers.

Equally important is how other characters react to anger, creating tension, dynamics, and consequences. Using a sharp and staccato sentence structure in moments of anger creates urgency and tension.

Employing sarcasm allows characters to express passive-aggressive anger indirectly, adding depth. Lastly, refraining from emotion-describing adjectives and showing anger through actions, thoughts, and dialogue makes the emotion vivid and immersive.

By incorporating these techniques, you can create characters and narratives that resonate deeply with your readers, providing a nuanced understanding of the intricate emotion of anger. The key to effective anger portrayal in writing lies in subtlety, context, and the unique characteristics of your characters and their stories.

Dr. Carlos Todd PhD LCMHC specializes in anger management, family conflict resolution, marital and premarital conflict resolution. His extensive knowledge in the field of anger management may enable you to use his tested methods to deal with your anger issues.

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Writing Nestling

How to Show Anger in Writing (10 Best Tips + Examples)

Table of Contents

How to Show Anger in Writing

How to Show Anger in Writing: In the vast spectrum of human emotion, anger stands as a formidable force, capable of driving characters to the brink of despair or propelling them into acts of breathtaking courage.

Within the realm of writing, the art of portraying anger is a delicate dance, where every word, every gesture, becomes a brushstroke upon the canvas of emotion. It is a skill that requires finesse, authenticity, and a deep understanding of the human psyche.

How to show anger in writing is not simply a matter of unleashing a torrent of expletives or depicting violent outbursts; rather, it is about capturing the essence of this primal emotion in all its complexity and nuance.

In this guide, we will explore the myriad techniques and strategies that writers can employ to convey anger with depth, resonance, and impact, from crafting vivid imagery and dialogue to structuring conflicts and resolutions.

By delving into the heart of anger and learning how to harness its power, writers can infuse their narratives with an undeniable energy that resonates with readers long after the final page is turned.

Here’s a step-by-step process on How to Show Anger in Writing:

Choose the Right Words

Select strong, vivid language that conveys intensity and frustration. Use powerful adjectives and verbs to accurately depict the emotion.

Describe Physical Reactions

Include descriptions of physical manifestations of anger such as clenched fists, flushed cheeks, or gritted teeth. These details help the reader visualize the emotion.

Express Thoughts and Inner Dialogue

Incorporate inner dialogue or thoughts to reveal the character’s internal turmoil and the reasons behind their anger. This adds depth and understanding to the emotion.

Use Tone and Voice

Adjust the tone and voice of the writing to reflect the character’s anger. Short, sharp sentences or fragmented thoughts can convey a sense of agitation.

Show Behavioral Changes

Illustrate changes in behavior or actions that occur as a result of the anger. This could include pacing, slamming doors, or aggressive gestures.

Include Dialogue

Dialogue can be a powerful tool for showing anger. Use sharp, confrontational language and interruptions to reflect the tension in the interaction.

Avoid Clichés

Steer clear of clichéd expressions of anger and instead opt for fresh, original descriptions that capture the character’s unique voice and perspective.

Provide Context

Contextualize the anger by revealing the events or circumstances that triggered it. This helps the reader understand and empathize with the character’s emotional response.

Show Consequences

Depict the consequences of the character’s anger, whether it leads to conflict, damage to relationships, or other repercussions. This adds realism and depth to the narrative.

Consider Point of View

Adjust the portrayal of anger based on the character’s point of view. First-person narration may offer a more immediate and intense experience of anger, while third-person narration allows for a broader perspective.

By following these steps, writers can effectively convey anger in their writing, creating engaging and authentic portrayals of this powerful emotion.

Understanding Anger

Unlocking the enigma of anger is akin to deciphering a tempestuous storm trapped within the confines of the human soul.

It’s a raw, primal force that surges through our veins, igniting fires of emotion and propelling us into tumultuous waters.

Understanding anger requires delving into the labyrinth of human psychology, where triggers lurk in the shadows and responses dance on the edge of reason. It’s a kaleidoscope of sensation, a symphony of chaos waiting to be conducted.

Yet, amidst the fury, lies profound insight into our deepest fears, insecurities, and unmet needs. Anger is not merely a destructive force; it is a messenger, beckoning us to explore the depths of our being and uncover the truths that lie buried beneath the surface.

Techniques for Conveying Anger

Crafting the perfect portrayal of anger in writing is akin to wielding a masterful brushstroke upon the canvas of emotion. It’s about channeling the molten intensity of fury into words that crackle and sizzle with undeniable power.

From the scorching cadence of dialogue to the searing imagery that brands itself upon the reader’s mind, each technique serves as a conduit for the relentless torrent of emotion.

Like a skilled artisan sculpting from raw clay, writers mold characters with layers of complexity, infusing their anger with nuance and authenticity.

Metaphors become weapons, slashing through the veil of civility to reveal the raw, pulsating core of discontent.

In this symphony of expression, every word is a note, every sentence a crescendo, building towards a climax that leaves the reader breathless and trembling in the wake of such raw, unbridled emotion.

Vivid Imagery and Descriptive Language

Vivid imagery and descriptive language are the lifeblood of storytelling, infusing narratives with color, texture, and depth.

Like a master painter wielding a vibrant palette, writers deftly brush strokes of imagery across the canvas of the reader’s mind, transporting them to realms both familiar and fantastical.

Through carefully chosen words, they conjure landscapes that stretch to the horizon, where azure skies meet emerald seas in a breathtaking dance of light and shadow.

Each sensory detail becomes a thread, weaving a tapestry of sensation that envelops the reader, from the crisp scent of autumn leaves crunching beneath weary feet to the velvety touch of moonlight caressing the skin.

In this symphony of sensation, every metaphor, every simile, is a brushstroke, painting vivid portraits of characters, places, and emotions that linger long after the final page is turned.

Symbolism and Metaphor

Symbolism and metaphor serve as the alchemical keys that unlock hidden chambers of meaning within the labyrinth of literature.

They are the whispered secrets that echo between the lines, inviting readers to unravel the mysteries concealed within the text.

Like a skilled magician, writers weave symbols and metaphors into the fabric of their narratives, imbuing them with layers of significance that transcend the literal.

A single rose may represent love’s tender embrace or the sting of betrayal, while a storm brewing on the horizon heralds impending turmoil or cleansing renewal.

Through these subtle nuances, writers paint with shades of symbolism, inviting readers to explore the rich tapestry of human experience.

In the dance of metaphor, ordinary objects become vessels of profound revelation, illuminating truths that resonate with universal truths.

It is through these shimmering veils of symbol and metaphor that the essence of storytelling is revealed, inviting readers to embark on a journey of discovery through the landscapes of imagination.

Structuring Anger in Writing

Structuring anger in writing is akin to orchestrating a symphony of emotion, each note carefully composed to build tension, crescendo to climax, and ultimately resolve in a cacophony of release. It begins with the subtle rumblings of discontent, planting seeds of unrest that germinate into full-blown conflict.

Like a skilled architect, writers erect the framework of fury, layering bricks of escalating tension until the walls of restraint threaten to crumble.

With each turn of the page, anger surges like a tempest, swirling and eddying in a torrent of raw emotion, until it reaches a zenith of intensity that leaves readers breathless in its wake.

Yet, even amidst the chaos, there lies a delicate balance, a quiet aftermath where the ashes of anger smolder and cool, paving the way for resolution and growth.

In this delicate dance between chaos and order, writers harness the primal power of anger, sculpting narratives that resonate with the raw, unbridled energy of human emotion.

Introduction of Conflict

The introduction of conflict is the pivotal moment where the still waters of narrative tranquility are disrupted by the first ripples of discord.

Like a crack of thunder in a serene sky, it jolts both characters and readers out of complacency, setting the stage for the turbulent journey ahead.

Whether it’s a clash of personalities, a clash of ideals, or a clash with the external forces of the world, conflict serves as the catalyst that propels the story forward.

It ignites the spark of tension, fueling the flames of anticipation as characters grapple with adversity and confront the obstacles that stand in their path.

In this crucible of conflict, alliances are forged, loyalties are tested, and the true nature of characters is laid bare.

It is through the introduction of conflict that the narrative finds its purpose, its direction, and its heart, setting the stage for the transformative journey that lies ahead.

Escalation and Climax

Escalation and climax are the twin peaks of narrative tension, the crescendo towards which every word, every action, every heartbeat inexorably builds.

Like a rollercoaster ascending to its zenith, the tension mounts with each twist and turn, drawing readers ever closer to the edge of their seats. With deft strokes of the pen, writers amplify the stakes, raising the emotional stakes to dizzying heights as conflicts escalate and tensions reach a fever pitch.

The climax emerges as the culmination of this relentless ascent, a moment of catharsis where the forces of conflict collide in a cataclysmic eruption of action and emotion.

It is here, amidst the thunder and lightning of narrative climax, that characters are tested to their limits, and destinies are decided.

In this pivotal moment, readers are held captive, breathless with anticipation, as they witness the ultimate resolution of the story’s central conflict.

Dos and Don’ts of Writing Anger

In the volatile landscape of writing anger, navigating the dos and don’ts is akin to traversing a minefield of emotion, where missteps can detonate with explosive consequences.

The dos beckon like beacons of guidance, urging writers to harness the tempestuous energy of anger with finesse and authenticity.

Do tap into personal experiences, drawing from the wellspring of raw emotion to infuse characters with depth and resonance.

Balance becomes the watchword, as writers deftly interweave anger with other emotions, crafting a nuanced portrayal that reflects the complex tapestry of human experience. Yet, amid the dos, lie the perilous pitfalls of the don’ts, where clichés and stereotypes lurk like hidden traps.

Don’t succumb to the siren song of tired tropes, where anger is reduced to a one-dimensional caricature devoid of authenticity.

And above all, don’t allow anger to overshadow the narrative’s purpose or message, lest it consume the story like a wildfire devouring the forest floor.

In this delicate dance between dos and don’ts, writers find themselves walking a tightrope suspended between brilliance and oblivion, where every word becomes a step forward or a stumble into the abyss.

Revision and Editing Tips

Revision and editing are the alchemical processes through which the rough ore of raw writing is transformed into the gleaming gold of polished prose.

Like a sculptor chiseling away at a block of marble, writers must approach revision with a discerning eye and a willingness to let go of what no longer serves the narrative.

Take breaks, breathe, gain perspective—these are the mantras of the revisionist, for distance lends clarity and objectivity to the creative process.

Seek feedback from trusted allies, for fresh eyes can uncover hidden gems and expose blind spots missed in the heat of creation.

Refinement becomes the name of the game, as writers hone their language, tighten their structure, and elevate their prose to new heights of brilliance.

And remember, revision is not a solitary endeavor but a collaborative dance between writer and editor, each step bringing the manuscript closer to its ultimate destiny—a masterpiece worthy of the ages.

Examples of Anger in Literature

In the grand tapestry of literature, anger is a vibrant thread woven into the very fabric of storytelling, manifesting in a myriad of forms across genres and epochs.

From the thunderous rage of Achilles in Homer’s “Iliad,” whose wrath sets the stage for the epic clash of gods and mortals, to the simmering resentment of Miss Havisham in Dickens’ “Great Expectations,” whose bitter fury becomes a haunting specter haunting the lives of those around her, anger emerges as a dynamic force driving the narrative forward.

In Morrison’s “Beloved,” Sethe’s seething anger at the horrors of slavery becomes a palpable presence, shaping the lives of her family and haunting the very walls of their home.

Even in the fantastical realms of Tolkien’s Middle-earth, the fiery wrath of Sauron serves as a catalyst for conflict, driving the forces of good and evil towards a climactic showdown.

Through these diverse examples, anger emerges not as a mere emotion, but as a potent narrative device, a catalyst for change and transformation that resonates with readers across cultures and generations.

Analyzing excerpts from renowned authors

Analyzing excerpts from renowned authors is akin to embarking on a literary pilgrimage, each passage a sacred relic imbued with the wisdom and insight of its creator.

From the haunting soliloquies of Shakespeare’s Hamlet to the lyrical prose of Toni Morrison’s “Beloved,” these snippets offer glimpses into the minds of literary giants, inviting readers to unravel the mysteries concealed within their words.

Through close reading and critical analysis, we unearth the layers of symbolism, metaphor, and theme that lie beneath the surface, peeling back the veil to reveal the inner workings of the author’s craft.

Each excerpt becomes a microcosm of the larger work, a microcosm teeming with meaning and significance waiting to be unearthed by the diligent reader.

In this journey of exploration, we not only deepen our understanding of literature but also enrich our own creative endeavors, drawing inspiration from the masters who have come before us.

Contemporary examples in various genres

In the kaleidoscope of contemporary literature, anger emerges as a dynamic force across a multitude of genres, each one offering a unique lens through which to explore the complexities of human emotion.

In dystopian fiction, authors like Margaret Atwood and George Orwell channel societal discontent into narratives of rebellion and resistance, where anger becomes a catalyst for revolution against oppressive regimes.

In the realm of crime fiction, authors such as Gillian Flynn and Stieg Larsson infuse their thrillers with simmering rage, driving characters to seek justice in the face of corruption and injustice.

Even in the tender confines of romance novels , authors like Colleen Hoover and Jojo Moyes delve into the depths of human passion, where love and anger intertwine in a tumultuous dance of desire and despair.

Across genres and storytelling mediums, contemporary literature offers a rich tapestry of anger, weaving together narratives that resonate with the complexities of the modern world.

Exercises and Prompts

Exercises and prompts are the creative crucibles in which writers forge their literary prowess, transforming raw ideas into polished gems of storytelling brilliance.

Like a blacksmith’s forge, these exercises temper the creative spirit, honing skills and sharpening instincts through trial and experimentation.

From flash fiction challenges that ignite the imagination in a blaze of inspiration to character-building exercises that breathe life into the most enigmatic of protagonists, each prompt offers a doorway into the boundless realms of creativity.

Whether it’s crafting a story from a single word or exploring the depths of emotion through journaling prompts , these exercises serve as the scaffolding upon which literary masterpieces are built.

Through their guidance, writers embark on a journey of self-discovery, uncovering hidden talents and unearthing untold stories waiting to be told.

In the alchemy of creation, exercises and prompts are the catalysts that transform dreams into reality, sparking the flames of inspiration that burn bright within every writer’s soul.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about How to Show Anger in Writing

What are some effective ways to convey anger without resorting to clichés or stereotypes.

Showing anger in writing requires a nuanced approach. Instead of relying on tired tropes, try delving into the character’s internal thoughts and physical reactions. Explore unique metaphors and imagery that vividly portray the emotion without relying on overused expressions.

How can I make sure that my portrayal of anger feels authentic and believable to readers?

Authenticity is key when depicting anger in writing. Draw from personal experiences or observe how people express anger in real life. Pay attention to body language, tone of voice, and the subtle nuances of emotion. Incorporating these details will lend credibility to your portrayal.

Is it necessary for characters to express their anger overtly, or can it be conveyed subtly?

Anger can be portrayed in various ways, ranging from explosive outbursts to simmering resentment. Subtle cues such as clenched fists, narrowed eyes, or terse dialogue can be just as effective in conveying anger as more overt displays. Consider the context of the scene and the personality of the character to determine the most appropriate approach.

How can I avoid glorifying or romanticizing anger in my writing?

It’s important to be mindful of the consequences of portraying anger in a positive light. Instead of glorifying anger, focus on depicting its negative impact on relationships, mental health, and personal well-being. Show the repercussions of unchecked anger and explore themes of remorse, forgiveness, and personal growth.

Are there any exercises or prompts I can use to practice portraying anger in my writing?

Absolutely! Try writing scenes from different perspectives, exploring how different characters react to the same triggering event. Experiment with varying levels of intensity and explore the underlying motivations behind the anger. Additionally, you can use writing prompts focused specifically on anger to challenge yourself and hone your skills.

In the intricate tapestry of storytelling, anger emerges as a powerful brushstroke, adding depth, complexity, and intensity to the narrative canvas.

Through the exploration of various techniques, from vivid imagery and dialogue to nuanced characterization and symbolism, writers can master the art of portraying anger in writing.

By delving into the depths of human emotion and drawing from personal experiences, writers can infuse their narratives with authenticity and resonance, captivating readers and eliciting a visceral response.

However, it is essential to wield this potent tool with care, avoiding clichés, stereotypes, and glorification, and instead focusing on portraying anger in all its complexity and nuance.

In conclusion of how to show anger in writing, by harnessing the transformative power of anger, writers can craft stories that resonate deeply with readers, leaving an indelible imprint long after the final page is turned.

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Let’s Write Anger

Friends. Writing is difficult. Especially emotions, which are pivotal in crafting realistic characters.

At first, we write super interesting actions for our cast. But then, we slip into easy repetition. He gave a look. She nodded. They shrugged. Or unforgivable redundancies like ‘he glared at her angrily’.

The worst part is that we don’t even notice how often our characters repeat actions until a beta reader or editor points it out. Fabulous, right?

Keeping it real and compelling reaction-wise isn’t always simple.

While the internet is littered with posts on writing emotions, they aren’t always comprehensive. Some of them are no more than little teasers for the author’s emotion dictionaries, for sale on Amazon. Free resources are scarce and, honestly, as an indie writer myself, I know that funds can be scarce too.

I’m not working on my novel right now, but I don’t want to stop improving my writing. So, I’ve been researching emotions and plan to do a series of posts on different ways to show them in writing.

Let’s do this.

Anger in Body Language

• Actions that make someone seem larger (usually characters with the fight instinct). Puffed out chest, chin lifted, hands on hips, arms raised, feet spread apart, coming to full height, shoulders straightened.
• Other characters will make themselves smaller (those with the flight instinct). Crossed arms, ankles or legs, shoulders slumping, retreating, tucking the chin to look or glare upwards at the other character.
• Characters with the fawning instinct or otherwise submissive characters may constantly apologise, take the blame for the other party’s anger (even if they’re not guilty) or criticise themselves during the argument. Anything to make it stop. They may even let the other person physically hurt them if they believe it would help.
• Characters might also go rigid or seem not to react at all (those with the freeze instinct).
• Stoic characters or characters who become quiet when angry can also seem to freeze, or they’ll tightly control their movements.
• Some characters will become reckless in anger. Large, rapid movements–the angrier the wilder.
• Some will seem to relax when angry, which is a mocking action that translates to ‘you can’t hurt me, bring it on’ and will probably fuel the other party’s rage (unless they’re also the relaxed-angry or quiet-angry type).
• Some characters will cry, so lots of flicking or wiping away tears with jerky movements or sobs.
• Fists on hips, crossed arms ending in fists, or balled fists by the sides.
• Punching or kicking objects or walls, the air or other characters. Slamming doors, throwing, or smashing things.
• Raised hands.
• Flat hands cutting through the air or slapping things or characters.
• Rubbing temples, the neck, or hands running through hair.
• Grabbing hands: objects, clothing, or hair (their own or another character’s).
• Pointing or shaking fingers. Jabbing or pressing a finger to another character’s chest, or flicking the other character.
• Fingers spread like claws.
• Palms held forward in a ‘stop’ sign.
• Covering their mouth, especially in disbelieving anger, or when the character is trying not to say something.
• Advancing or invading personal space.
• Characters may show compulsive behaviour, like cleaning, tidying, or checking things to calm the anxiety that comes with anger.
• Some people become clumsier when angry, so knocking things over by accident as they retreat, for example.
• Nonchalance. Continuing to do something mundane to annoy the other character, not giving them full attention, shrugging at them, looking at them over the shoulder, and waving their words away.
• Tensed muscles.
• Surging adrenaline can lead to fidgeting (flight instinct kicking in), or sweat.
• Mocking actions, like sarcastic laughter, rude hand signs (which totally depend on the character’s nationality, since a rude sign in one country won’t necessarily be rude in another), pointing at the crotch, turning on another character or stepping closer (which are also ‘bring it on’ kinds of actions).

Anger in Speech

• Spitting when speaking, shouting, or mumbling. Hissing through teeth.
• Repetitions of the same phrases. Many people lose the ability to articulate well when angry, while others speak more concisely. Also, timid characters may be braver when angry, so they’ll say things they wouldn’t normally admit.
• Not allowing the other person to speak, interrupting them.
• Belittling and provoking phrases, playing on the other party’s weakness.
• Sarcasm and sarcastic jokes.
• Threats and accusations.

Anger in Expressions

• Any kind of refusal to look away, usually with glares. Others will avoid eye contact, especially those who are submissive or disbelieving.
• A surge of adrenaline can cause pupils to dilate.
• Gaining colour, especially in the face or neck. Other characters lose colour, usually those who are stoic or quiet-angry.
• Bulging veins, especially in the neck and face.
• Sneers, lips pursed or pressed into thin lines, corners of the mouth pointing downward, showing of teeth.
• Some people will also bite down on their lip, tongue or cheeks, as if to contain what they were going to say.
• Gaping or open-mouthed groaning.
• Eyes widening, bulging, or squinting.
• Clenched jaw.
• Eyebrows pulling together or raising.
• Upturned or crinkled nose.
• For stoic characters, micro reactions are the key since they won’t show any big emotions (except in extreme cases). Twitching eyebrows or mouth corners, blinking, sniffing, or snorting.
• Mocking smiles.
• Children will show the inside of their lower lip and puff out their cheeks.
• Shifting the lower jaw forward.

What Anger Feels Like

• Fast, shallow breathing.
• Heart beating fast.
• Pain between temples.
• Eyes pulsing.
• Ears ringing.
• Stomach stiffening.
• Feeling like heartburn in the throat and diaphragm.
• Feeling hot or cold.
• Feeling nauseated or dizzy.
• Vision swimming or going black/red around the edges.
• The urge to hurt someone or themselves.
• Tight muscles.
• Teeth may hurt with clenching jaw.
• Blood rushing to head.
• Goosebumps.
• The urge to scream or being unable to talk.
• Thick tongue.
• Hoarseness or cracking voice.
• Being unable to move.
• Pent up energy and the need to do physical things, like run or destroy.

Now, folks, it’s time to write some conflict. 🙂 Please feel free to comment if you have any more angry actions to add to the list. You can find all of the posts in the writing emotions series here .

Until next time.

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One response to “Let’s Write Anger”

[…] and moral input. Because the sensations and reactions of self-disgust are so close to those of anger or sadness, I’d suggest checking out the posts I dedicated to those […]

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On Anger and How to Write Through It

There is no path to change that doesn’t come through some form of anger. Despite its taboo perception as a ‘negative’ emotion, anger is a fire that, when wielded correctly, will spark change.

At the heart of anger is longstanding hurt, and, often, oppression. From Martin Luther King to #meToo to Parkland, the oppressed find that anger with the status quo is what leads them to resistance.

To write through anger, you have to navigate layers of fear and trauma.  Not easy. The sound of anger on paper can be bitter, sarcastic, closed off and inflexible.

To use anger in writing, you must engage readers with your stories. It’s in allowing the reader to empathise that you find the crack where the light gets in.

Using Your Peeves for an Advantage

I have been angry since I can remember. In an effort to use my anger for good, I studied rhetoric in college: the art of the argument. It worked! Can you turn your pulsing rage into something more useful than foaming gibberish? You can! At the heart of anger is a kind of passion. That passion is necessary for change.  If you don’t care about your cause, you won’t ever see it through.

Listen, you don’t have to start with solving climate change. Let’s practice getting riled up in print over some minor peeve. I’ll walk you through it.

For me it’s shopping carts. People who leave them all over the parking lot. It drives me up a tree.

Recently, one windy day I visited the grocery store. As I climbed out of my car, I watched as unattended carts sailed about the lot, stopped only by the first vehicle they smacked against. I seethed as I ran about the lot, correcting what I saw as people’s outward expression of selfishness.

Step one:  Know thyself.

Let’s start with a little self-examination. Why do wayward shopping carts drive me insane? Like anything that pushes my buttons, I needed to understand how it “triggered” me.

In this case, I just could not understand it. If you HAD a shopping cart and walked ALLLLL around the store for an hour with it, why could you *not* walk 10 more meters to return it to the cart corral?

OK. Here’s the crux of my anger: I didn’t understand the logic of the cart abandoner.  Let’s keep going.

Step two: Examine assumptions.

Assumptions are what they are because we don’t tend to look at them. Therein lies the hiccup. What do I know about these morons who leave their carts around?

Now I am sure you are not one of those jerkwads. Of course not. But what I do know, after asking, is that people who do abandon shopping carts have all sorts of “reasons” for doing it.

Because I couldn’t fathom what those would be, I had to ASK and then, also, listen. I assumed people were lazy selfish bastards. That assumption had to be put to the side as I listened:

“There aren’t enough cart corrals” “Old people appreciate it if you leave carts nearby for them.” “I can’t leave my kids alone in the car while I return it! It’s too dangerous.” “If I return the carts, then the guy who collects the carts will be out of a job.”

Mmm hmmm. Mmm hmmm.

Now what I “hear” is still a bunch of excuses. I’m still triggered. And yet.

What they are actually telling me is: “I have a legitimate (in my mind) reason to leave that cart there.”

Interesting. Even if I don’t agree, in order to effect change, I have to be armed with this information. I don’t agree and I’d like them to change. I can’t do it without listening.

Step Three: Creating Empathy by Acknowledging I have Issues

How do I move change? Start with asking for help, through creating empathy.

Friend, I have to admit to you, now: I’ve got a problem. I need your help. Now I see I can be unreasonable. My anger blinds me! When I see carts about in the lot, I go bonkers. You are sensible and cool and collected. Can you help me?

As an angry chicken, what I really want to do is yell my face off. What I am going to do, however, is remind my new friends how I believe it improves the life of everyone when they cease taking the action I wish to stop.

Talking about my struggle forces a self-awareness in the human brain, without blame.  My goal is to make my listeners hyper-aware of shopping carts, and their actions with them. Their future interactions with carts may or not be visibly altered, but their thinking should be.

Empathy creates relationships. Raising awareness of an issue is important, but simultaneously important is gaining allies among your so-called opponents. We are usually closer together in our ideas than we think, and more likely to be influenced by those who we have relationships with.

Step Four:  Using Details to Influence Memory

Not everyone is convinced in the same way. Some people need to have their Smartcar dented by a wayward hunk of metal before they become “woke.” Telling detailed stories and using imagery creates emotional impact that influences memory.

After a rather large snowstorm, I went to the grocery store per usual. The plows had done their work, having made 20-foot piles of snow toward the back of the lot.

What was so special about these snow piles? They were modern-day art sculptures of ice and twisted cart parts. Wheels and metal jutted out from all sides of the snow banks. It was an October storm. The carts remained frozen in view there until May for all to enjoy.

When I retell that story, I describe the piles in detail. I wonder out loud how much it costs to replace a shopping cart. Does that cost impact how much I pay for milk and bread? I feel sorry for the plow driver who had to decide: do I get out and move all these dozens of carts, or do I destroy them and stay on schedule?

Telling a detailed story takes the listener down a new road of thought about the issue. Think about those vivid commercials featuring Sarah McLachlan and the emaciated dogs . Using powerful imagery triggers emotional response.

Step Five: Write on, With Lowered Expectations

Mother Teresa said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”

I once wrote an impassioned post on my blog about how I wished parents would include themselves in their holiday family photo cards (I told you, my peeves are many!). Did I change the world with my rant?

Of course not. But at least a couple of friends started putting themselves back in their cards – regardless of thickened hips or receding hairline – an action I saw as not only sweet, but revolutionary.

Lowering expectations doesn’t mean giving up. It means understanding how to live a self-compassionate life while working for change to happen.

You aren’t going to solve the problem that’s pissing you off with one story. But in identifying your anger as a tool and motivator – not as a deterrent – you can write your way through personal resistance to change.

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19,898 quotes, descriptions and writing prompts, 4,964 themes

anger - quotes and descriptions to inspire creative writing

• a violent temper
• adverse childhood experiences
• anger boiling up
• Argument or Confrontation
• barking mad
• break up of a relationship
• difficult emotions
• dysfunction as function
• Feeling Empty
• hypoglycemia
• making mistakes
• Manipulative
• negative emotions
• temper Metaphors
• true emotions

Anger is sadness in fight-mode.

When I'm feeling triggered the world and everyone it is behind fifty feet of glass. Loving bonds become inaccessible. In this mode I have to take great care not to damage bonds of love, the relationships and people who are everything to my heart and soul. For in time the glass disappears and my love returns. I wish I could stop the triggering, but if I feel unprotected or left to fend for myself it returns - it is survival mode, cold and indifferent. Yet even in these times I am cognisant of my morality. I still make good choices. I can still imagine what the better version of me would want me to do and then carry that out. I can't undo the trauma I've been through, but I can adapt and overcome.

When I was at my lowest, when others took not what I could afford to give, but all that I was. When my health began to fail because they took so much in an emotionally indifferent and manipulative way, anger saved my life. I got angry enough to save myself. I needed it. A bit of righteous anger in the right moment, in the right situation, can be a very good thing.

In a world that fails to see the soul as essential to all interactions, there will be anger. For we are born with the need for such soulful sight into others and from others.

"Anger is a dysfunction," said Professor Orbit, "yet how is it function? For there exist real answers. In a survival dog-eat-dog world that anger and quick reaction over slower more cerebral responses may keep you alive. That's a function. And so while we can treat symptoms, the real cure exists in our society, our culture, the environment each baby is born into."

Anger, pain, sadness - so intertwined that perhaps their names aught to be tweaked to reflect the true origins of those emotions.

This kitchen table has seen every emotion, from the sweet silent happiness of family times, when the only sound is contented enjoyment, to the rage that bursts out in the hard times. From its rich cream surface the wood beneath peaks through, as if to remind us that we are the same, that in those tough times we can learn how to show our beauty and true strength instead of the anger that damages us all.

Ted really lived is anger, almost as cartoon characters do, so lost in that moment and the torment his brain was in. I'd see it first in his eyes, then a tension of his muscles, an inability to think clearly soon followed. The rational Ted was offline and the primitive Ted who reverted to his old habits was in the room. Suddenly his liberal opinions were gone, his ability for nuance and emotional generosity were gone too. His fists would stay firmly by his sides, yet his words did more damage than they ever could. But we agreed a while back to use a dog training technique when he got mad, one to remind him that anger is born of pain and sadness, that he needed to calm himself, find himself, ignite his feelings of love and protectiveness in that moment of anger. So, when we saw those flickers of fire we blew him a kiss, and instead of saying, "God damn it," he learned to say, "God love me," through that gravelly rage, and I'm telling you, when he managed it, there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

For the most part, addictions are to stuff that's bad for you; that's how I was with anger. When things calmed down, when everything was nice, that's when I'd find fault in someone or something. I was the the emotional volcano, convinced it was the fault of others, or circumstance.I never wanted to be that way; it's the trait I most disrespect in others... maybe that explains a lot. Don't they say that most folks are mean not because they struggle to like you, but because they struggle to like themselves? Ted said, "Respond, don't react, breathe, take yourself out of the situation, be a fly on the wall for a second, let love back in." It's not like that was magic. I still blew hot, but it became better over time, less often. I started to see the real things that caused it, not the things I believed I was angry about. It was the petty frustrations of life, the things that flicked my anxiety switches, that or the things that made me sad. I'd felt entitled to better treatment from others, consideration and respect. I still think I'm worthy of those things, but these days I let it go, trust that the right people will come into my world. It took a while, but the addiction is over. Now it's the reverse, and in any anger situation I'm the cool one, the help instead of being part of the problem.

My anger would come like an impossible build up steam, burning me on the way out, burning the one on the receiving end. I can tell you honestly, every time I ever blew I reckoned the other person deserved it. There was the explosion and then the mental framework afterwards to avoid guilt, avoid owning the shame that was mine. That's how I stayed so foolish for so long, so immature, refusing to learn over and over - sacrificing who I was supposed to be to keep a pristine ego. But that pain, that realisation, when I let it in, was more school than any classroom ever was. If I kept on being angry, how could I love anyone right? How could I begin to love myself?

There is a scream from deep within that forces its way from my mouth, it is as if my terrified soul has unleashed a demon. All I feel is anger, all I feel is that I don't want to be friends with anyone at all because then I don't have to trust anyone, it'll be safer, easier to choose not to stay. And I know I'm hiding a truth from myself, of how much this is really to do with sadness and the scars that just won't heal. Yet these fists clench and my teeth lock up once the sound is out. I'm just gonna have to walk away for a while, see this "elephant" from a few miles away, figure it out.

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How to describe an angry voice in dialogue?

I've been looking for a word to describe this tone of voice for a long time but never came across it. Now let me just spread a pinch of context. It's a first person novel, and our protagonist is very emotionally conflicted within. Dead parents, dead friends, blames himself etc. The only thing he has left is his younger companion who he cares for like an extremely over-protective older brother. Our protagonist is responsible (involuntarily responsible) for some earthquakes (long story), and his younger companion at this point in the novel questions if he himself was responsible for it.

This is how it goes...

He didn’t say a word, as he stared motionlessly straight ahead. He was doing that thing where he overthinks. “Stop overthinking. I’ve told you if you keep doing that you’ll get grey hairs.” All of a sudden his eyebrows curled against each other, and his eyes widened with grief, “Please don’t tell me I caused that earthquake?” he whimpered. Hearing this, I dropped to my knees, and grabbed his face, “Have you absolutely lost your mind?” I yelled.

OK. So the final bit of dialogue where the protagonist asks "Have you lost your mind," is actually the part I'm struggling with here. He does't actually yell. His voice is more like a throaty growl, as if to convey some frustration as well. Hearing this from Raaisel (younger companion) just turns his world upside down, because he would never allow his naive younger counterpart to step foot near the earthquake. Yeah, so instead of "I yelled," what the hell is that word. You ever watched the dark knight... where Batman goes to the joker "Where is she?" in that interrogation scene. Well it's a voice like that, but obviously with a bit less aggression. A brooding voice. God, what's the damn word?!

Anyway, thanks if you take the time to read and/or answer my question, and sorry for my panicky tone. I get super worked up over minor word haha.

Oh, and one last thing. I feel like I could have simulated the "I dropped to my knees and grabbed his face," a little better. How do I describe holding Raaisel's face in urgency?

• creative-writing
• young-adult

• 1 BY WRITING IN CAPS!!!, maybe? " Have you absolutely LOST YOUR MIND?!!" i yelled –  CptEric Commented Sep 9, 2016 at 10:26
• @CptEric Caps might be a bit jarring in a novel, but you might be on the right track. I would recommend italics, as it conveys emphasis. All you'd have to do after that is convey the slightly increased volume and disbelieving hoarseness of the voice. –  Thomas Reinstate Monica Myron Commented Sep 9, 2016 at 16:55
• 1 As to the "grabbed his face," I agree it sounds a bit off. You could probably make a separate question for this over on EL&U SE, but I would recommend something like: "I reached up and held his face between my hands, the urgency I felt causing me to hold him a bit tighter than perhaps I had intended." The main points here are between my hands. Helps to bring down possibly violent images. Urgency comes from your own fitting last line. Than I had intended still gets the pressure across while simultaneously reassuring the reader of the protagonist's intentions and emotions. –  Thomas Reinstate Monica Myron Commented Sep 9, 2016 at 17:00
• 3 "His voice is more like a throaty growl" he growled? –  Andrey Commented Jan 24, 2019 at 20:02

9 Answers 9

Your trouble in finding a word is that it does not exist. You will need to use adjectives and other descriptions to properly describe it.

My first piece of advice would be to find a good example of what you want and describe it. You've found a good example with batman, but you're obviously having trouble describing it, so here's what I'd do:

Step 1- Breakdown

I believe the scene you are referring to in the Dark Knight is where Batman 'interrogates' the Joker, and, upon realizing Dent and Rachel are both gone, yells 'where are they?'

The first thing you need to do when trying to figure out how to describe something is go for the technical and literal side of things. Break it down into exactly what is going on.

• Elevated voice. Batman is pancking, realizing what is going on, and his voice is raised as a result.
• Gravelly undertone. Here it's because Batman is trying to hide his identity. I don't think your protagonist is doing that (unless he's a superhero too), so we'll come back to that.

Step 2 - Brainstorm Description

Once you know what's technically going on, describe it. I often find I don't have the right word or answer for something. When this happens, I sit down with a piece of paper and start writing descriptions, no matter how ludicrous or implausible they might be. Make them up if necessary. Below I'm just going to write whatever comes to mind to describe the two above characteristics.

• Elevated Voice. Angry. High-pitched. Loud. Yelling. Shouting. Echoing. Shattering. Violent. Stinging. Reeling back from. Sudden.
• Gravelly. Undertone. Deep. Gravelly. Rumbling. Threatening. Ominous. Like subdued thunder. Dangerous.

Step 3 - Determine Cause

Now go back to your scene, and determine the protagonist's emotional state.

• Responsible. The protagonist (I'l call him Jim due to lack of a name) is responsible, and obviously Raaisel doesn't know that and thinks he is instead, so Jim is probably feeling a shade of guilt over that.
• Panicked? Really depends on the background, but it feels to me like Jim could be a bit panicked. His world got turned upside down you said, so I think this is reasonable.
• Afraid? Afraid for Raaisel. Obviously Jim cares for him a great deal, and besides obviously not wanting him to be hurt by bearing the burden, he also doesn't want Raaisel to take the blame and the hit that will inevitably come with it.

So we know that Jim is probably a bit afraid/panicked, probably feeling responsible for what's going on, and since he's overprotective, most likely wanting to shield Raaisel from any potential damage.

Step 4 - Apply Description

Now all we have to do is figure out which of the descriptive terms we have in step two will work, given our context.

The first half of the words relating to elevated voice deal primarily with loudness. You don't want this. Some of the later ones seem to hit closer to the mark. Shattering has interesting visualizations. Reeling back from and sudden indicate Raaisel wasn't expecting the tone of voice. Actually that presents an interesting idea: instead of trying to describe the words, describe Raaisel's reaction to the words. We'll take that into consideration.

Moving on, we have the gravelly part of the dialogue. Rumbling has a nice ring to it, as well as dangerous . I like the subdued thunder idea, and that also gives me a thought: we could be using the setting to describe Jim's words. There's an earthquake, right? If it's still going on, it conveniently has the low rumbling, dangerous sort of undertone that you're looking for. You could just say that Jim's voice matched that.

Step 5 - Put it all together

So using that, I'll give this a few runs:

Hearing this, I dropped to my knees, and grabbed his face. “Have you absolutely lost your mind?” My voice was filled with fear and the urge to protect Raaisel, and just a hint of guilt.

There's a thought. Take out the tag completely. Note that I've replaced the comma before the dialogue with a period, as the previous sentence has ended.

Hearing this, I dropped to my knees, and grabbed his face. “Have you absolutely lost your mind?” My voice shattered the quiet before it, rumbling, trembling, almost dangerous.

Let's try describing Raaisel's reaction.

Hearing this, I dropped to my knees, and grabbed his face. “Have you absolutely lost your mind?” My voice was low, rumbling, but louder than I had intended. Raaisel blinked as my words struck him, actually taking a small step away from me.

Now I'll try using the setting.

Hearing this, I dropped to my knees, and grabbed his face. “Have you absolutely lost your mind?” I said, my voice akin to the rumbling of the earthquake below us.

Now I'll just say the line a few times myself the way I think you're visualizing it, and describe it that way:

Hearing this, I dropped to my knees, and grabbed his face. “Have you absolutely lost your mind?” My voice was half way between a whisper and a shout, deep, rumbling like the earthquake below us, but still full of the panic and guilt I felt in my heart.

The word whisper brings the mental tone way down, but the sentence keeps going. 'Shout' and 'earthquake' bring the volume up slightly, and 'panic' is far enough after 'whisper' to bring it up to the level you want. 'Guilt' adds a hint of emotion contradictory to 'panic,' giving the whole line a taste that can't quite be defined, but is still understood by the reader.

A lot of this depends on Jim's emotional state at the time, as well as that of Raaisel if you use his reaction for the description. Changing those factors will probably give you different results.

Sorry for the long answer, I tried - believe it or not - to keep it as brief as possible. Hopefully you find it helpful, and welcome to the site!

• 1 +1 for the great technique you described. If I could, I'd give you another for the way you described it, with examples, showing evolution. Long answers aren't automatically bad. This one was great! –  Henry Taylor Commented Sep 9, 2016 at 0:37
• Wow! This is wonderful! Very detailed and very helpful. –  Numi Commented Sep 9, 2016 at 3:28
• 2 Your answer is great. One comment though, the phrase "half way between a whisper and a shout" may seem to add dynamic, but all you say is "my voice was normal", which doesn't fit the rest of the sentence. It could work well in a book that is fast paced and doesn't encourage much reflection. However, if you let the reader think about it then it will dilute emotions instead of intensifying them. –  dtldarek Commented Sep 9, 2016 at 9:53
• I admit I was having second thoughts about those two. I was aiming for the hoarseness of a whisper, combined with the volume of a shout. Basically a hoarse shout. If that makes sense. When it comes to descriptions, I can let technicality go a bit for the emotional picture it creates, but that might just be me. –  Thomas Reinstate Monica Myron Commented Sep 9, 2016 at 16:54

The best way to give the reader the sense the the character speaking is angry is through the words they say, not through the description of how they say it. Make the word angry and you don't need to describe the voice. The reader reading angry words will hear an angry voice.

Effective writing is about focus. If you describe every intonation and twitch of a speaker, you are inviting the reader to focus on the face, not the words. This works (and is necessary) if your speaker is giving curt one word answers. The reader cannot tell from "yes" or "no" if the speaker is angry, so you describe the tone. But if the reader cannot tell that the character is angry from "Have you absolutely lost your mind?" then they are singularly tone deaf.

Never give the reader more than they need. It simply becomes a distraction. If you want them to focus on the words, don't distract them with facial expressions and tone. If you want them to focus on the face and voice, don't distract them with excess words.

Generally speaking, "said" will be the most effective choice. As a writer, "said" might sound repetitive or too boring, but it's one of those few invisible words that the reader will just glide over. Anything else draws attention to itself.

If you're relying on one specific word to convey the emotion from your dialogue, you might want to take another look at your scene. Your dialogue should stand for itself. You must be able to craft the scene in such a way where the reader should be able to effectively imagine how your characters say what they say.

In other words, this...

"Leave me alone," he said angrily. OR "Leave me alone," he growled.

can be rewritten as this...

"Leave me alone," he said, slamming the door. He stormed to the middle of the room, fists clenched, then kicked the chair beside his desk.

Exaggerated, but you get the point. Depending on how you construct the scene, your reader should be able to have a sense of the emotion that each character is feeling. What happens in the scene and what happened to lead up to the scene are more important things to consider than a single dialogue tag.

In your case, instead of "I yelled," go for "I said," or you could even remove the dialogue tag completely. Your character's action of dropping to his knees and grabbing Raaisel's face makes the reader understand his intentions. Even before you told me that the main character was growling, I heard his words in my head that way already. Considering how this scene is in the middle of your story, you should have established the main character and Raaisel's personalities by now, and the reader will also know their background. The reader will know the main character's relationship to Raaisel and how he feels toward his younger companion. So, when Raaisel sounds like he's blaming himself for the earthquake, the reader will understand that the main character will be very alarmed. What he says ("Have you lost your mind?") is also a hint toward what he's feeling, so it works well enough for me.

As for the "I dropped to my knees and grabbed his face" part, I think you're gonna have to wait for another answer that addresses that. It sounds fine to me, but then again I don't know too much about your characters!

I'm going for your addendum: "I dropped to my knees and grabbed his face ,"

Grabbing his face sounds to me like you have positioned the hand in front of the face. Palm at the nose/mouth area, finger tips along the hair line (like a face palm turned facehugger). Is this really what you want?

I think you'd prefer to grab his chin instead. The line from thumb tip crossing the palm to middle finger tip follows more or less the chin line. This way you can forcibly control the way he faces (probably to look into your face) and it keeps him free to see and breathe.

Some interesting answers here - I think it's important to recognise POV in this. Since we're in the POV of the character you're trying to portray as angry then using angry sounding adjectives to describe the voice is awkward and inserts unnecessary distance between character and reader. It also dilutes the immediacy of the scene. Less is (almost always) more.

I snapped and grabbed him by the face. "Have you lost your mind?"

would do it for me. Any added anger signifiers could be demonstrated in the expression/reaction of the other character. Remember whose POV we're in.

I snapped and grabbed him by the face. "Have you lost your mind?" Seeing terror in his eyes, I drew back.

I'd remove all possible speech tags and adjectives, and only put back what you absolutely have to.

I looked up at some words on this list and the ones I found best were "gruff" and "penetrating".

Yowl - noun Yowling/yowled - verb I don't know, maybe?

• I looked here too LOL. I'm so stuck. I kinda wanted a word to replace yelled so like a verb. Ahh –  H. Alley Commented Sep 8, 2016 at 21:09

I know this post is years old but I found it searching for a similar question...

I just wanted to say your writing reads fine without anything after the speech. From context alone it's obvious you're the one talking, and by the action of taking his face in your hands, it's clear this will be an empassioned sort of cry - a cry, as in a slightly desperate shout ;)

Otherwise, i'd say the word could be demand. 'Have you absolutely lost your mind?! I demanded,' and follow up with 'you're not to blame.' or something like that...

Anyway I'm sure it's irrelvant by now, happy writing ^^

I believe you may have been looking for the word gruffly:

Hearing this, I dropped to my knees, and grabbed his face, “Have you absolutely lost your mind?” I said gruffly.

I could absolutely be wrong in my thoughts on the emotions of the moment but gruff seems to fit well.

Deep or very high pitched you could also describe it as loud or rumbling

• Remember to press the arrow at the side ( the top Vedeo) –  Jeremy ZHANG Commented Oct 5, 2020 at 0:52
• Welcome to Writing SE, really we are looking for answers to provide some level of detail and explanation as to why they are correct, as it stands your answer is more of a suggestion without any real explanation as to why these two (almost opposite) descriptions provide an expression of a voice being angry. –  motosubatsu Commented Oct 5, 2020 at 8:54

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WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

Helping writers become bestselling authors

3 Steps to Taking Your Character Further and Deeper With…Anger?

July 15, 2014 by ANGELA ACKERMAN

We all know how hard it is to write emotion: understanding what a character is feeling exactly, and to what degree, and then showing it to readers. And of course, that’s just the tip of the challenge. What makes it truly difficult is that whatever body language, thoughts and actions we use MUST be ones that fit each individual’s personality seamlessly.

Emotional description is not one size fits all. This means that while Kara might throw a mug at the head of her deadbeat husband as he wanders in at six am loaded to the gills, Barbara will not. Her anger is a slow simmer that lasts, displayed through burnt toast and undercooked eggs, of phone messages that are not passed on, of leaving the gas tank near empty at every opportunity.

M J Bush is with us today, shedding insight on one of the most volatile emotions of them all: ANGER. On the outside, it seems like such a cardinal, easily identifiable emotion, but there are many forms it can take. Which is right for your character?

The page was crawling with them. Characters of every stripe had gathered to mutiny:

“We’re angry! And you’re not getting our anger right! It’s an outrage!”

“I’d never sulk like that!”

“I’m far more refined than that display.”

“Come down here and I’ll show you the punch I’d throw!”

Do you ever fear being that author, the one getting emotions so wrong on the page that your characters actually come alive and mutiny?

I’m going to be frank for a moment. When I started researching this article, I thought it would be fairly easy to categorize what types of anger came most often to different personalities. I even had some ideas already drawn up.

The idea was to help us write our characters more convincingly. You can show the typical reaction in your character to establish consistency, and then push them into another type of anger that would be just as human, just as true, but showing a different facet of their personality.

But the sheer number of nuances makes that categorization impossible unless I write a book on it. So instead, I’ll try to enable you to figure things out.

Step One: When your character is angry, how does it usually manifest? Here’s a short list of possibilities:

Controlling

Exasperated

Indignation

Mean/vicious

Remember, it’s nuances we’re looking for here. Every word has its own meaning. Ire is tightly controlled. Rage is out of control. Cranky is a passing mood based on self; grouchy is a bit more lasting and focused on others.

It’s fine to have a few “normal” types of anger. Your character should have multiple facets.

Step Two: Now, how can you push them to react with a different anger? What would take them further? What would make a certified hothead react with sullenness or barely registered annoyance?

It’s a hard-hitting tactic to make your readers rally behind a character or commiserate with him. Consider this line from The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss:

There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.

The contrast between the normal gentleness and the fear-inducing anger is memorable. It can make a reader want to cheer for him standing up to whatever outrage forced him to abandon his gentleness.

For another example, consider a sensitive soul that has long used irritability to protect and isolate himself. Vex him with a puzzle, a character he can’t understand, especially if he’s used to labeling people, and he’ll have to move out of his isolated comfort zone to interact.

The bottom line is this: get your character to act “out of character” in a way that isn’t actually out of character when the motives are examined. It’s good for the story and the characterization.

Step Three: Figure out how he’ll react after the anger has faded. Or if it does at all.

How does it change him, even if he doesn’t stay angry? What emotions does he go through? How do the other characters react? How does it change the relationships?

Does he learn a lesson, or something about himself?

Anger Tells a Story All its Own. Go Use It.

Don’t worry about your characters staging a mutiny. Just make sure you give them solid reasons to act the way they do, and then have them react to how they acted.

You’ve got a good head on your shoulders. You can do this. Here are the steps once more:

Identify his normal anger.

Figure out how to push him beyond that.

And show him reacting to that difference.

It goes for guys and girls, protagonists, antagonists, and supporting characters. You can apply it to any character the story calls for.

Because that’s what it’s all about:

Your story.

MJ Bush is The Analytical Creative. Her writing advice steps back to take in the whole picture, then dives in to grab the pearls of usable detail. She’s the founder of Writingeekery.com and a full time fiction coach, editor, and writer.

P.S. Take the first step (it’s an easy one!) and tell us what your character’s typical anger is in a comment.

Angela is a writing coach, international speaker, and bestselling author who loves to travel, teach, empower writers, and pay-it-forward. She also is a founder of One Stop For Writers , a portal to powerful, innovative tools to help writers elevate their storytelling.

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Reader Interactions

June 12, 2020 at 8:21 pm

In a raging family, my character shows anger by being cold and whining. Then the war comes, and her body becomes a weapon, focused and out of control at once.

August 3, 2014 at 5:48 pm

Just took your advice in the story I’m writing and not only has it really worked, it has moved the plot along nicely too! Thanks very much.

July 22, 2014 at 2:56 pm

I love this post. One of my critique partners asked if my MC ever got angry. I guess I was a little afraid of using that. This is really helpful to me. Thanks! I’ll be posting the link on my blog.

July 18, 2014 at 10:39 pm

My current MC has had a lot of time to learn to hide her emotions (she’s around six hundred years old). Oddly enough she doesn’t seem inclined to hide them very often unless it’s around her former friends (whom she hates, but doesn’t see any way to do away with them) or if the topic is her family (many of whom were slaughtered by said former friends, part of the reason for the hatred). Her former best friend brings out the anger in her the quickest, but hasn’t the slightest clue that my MC hates her (she’s extremely self obsorbed). She keeps things buried and she plots, looking for ways to make things happen her way.

The former best friend, on the other hand, is very easy with her emotions. She didn’t kill the MC’s family, because she hated her. She did it because she wanted to control things (a lot of other people connected to a certain group have lived or died because she decided it would be so). She’s been working toward a goal to rescue her former lover who dumped her (because she was starting to freak him out) in order to kill him. She does not ever let grudges go until she considers them paid, but you know if she’s mad at you.

July 17, 2014 at 5:40 pm

Love this post. I am trying to put flesh on the bones of my characters.

I adore this quote and will now look deeper into my shy, gentle hero and hopefully manage to put fear into the characters around him when he gets angry. Although he is only thirteen. i have a challenge ahead of me.

July 18, 2014 at 6:20 pm

I’m sure you’ll do fine, Kath. You’re aware of the challenge, and that’s half the battle in improving. 🙂

July 16, 2014 at 6:13 am

Marvelous. One of the most fun challenges with my current MC is that he is so tightly-wound and driven, plus with a level of remove so that you never read how he thinks or feels, thus his anger (which is not uncommon) must be seen through cracks and glimpses to others (every scene with him needs a narrator). Right at this very moment, the start of the sequel to the current tale, he is just landed in a new country and already under arrest through misunderstanding of his motives and general distrust. I’m taking the tale through an interrogation wherein a lord who has never met him before begins to sense this slow, titanic burn of anger, to which the narrator feels he has no right. Slow going, but fun.

July 16, 2014 at 7:36 pm

Hey Will, I remember you telling me about him in an email. 🙂

So do you have plans to push him beyond the norm once you’ve established it?

July 17, 2014 at 5:38 am

:: grins :: Solemn Judgement does what he wants, MJ, I just watch. But yes, he’s already shown what he’s capable of when pushed past his “norm”, a kind of righteous simmer. It’s not yet clear to the world or him, that there is nothing he cannot do…

July 16, 2014 at 1:00 am

Yes, wonderful, thought-provoking post. My MC swallows her anger until she can’t hold it in any longer, then explodes. Explosion is followed by shame and apologies. As she grows, she learns to express her anger closer to the cause, thereby bypassing the need for explosion.

Oh, and if she’s very angry at someone, she’ll frequently retreat into a “glass box” – almost like an “out of this world” experience. It’s a shock reaction to the fact that she’s angry and expects to be punished for being angry. This is also changed as she learns to express anger rather than let it build.

July 16, 2014 at 7:33 pm

It sounds like you’ve done your homework, Judith. That sounds like a really good mix for a series, to give time for each reaction to come out without rushing the pacing. Yum. 🙂

July 15, 2014 at 6:55 pm

I try and remember that every reaction would come about different from each of my characters. This helps me identify them better and pushes me to dig deeper when I write. Thanks for the tips!!

July 16, 2014 at 7:30 pm

Traci, you’re so right. Each character having a distinct pattern is part of what makes readers “get” them, too. Then of course, breaking the pattern believably allows the character to grow while keeping things interesting. Thanks for commenting!

July 15, 2014 at 5:53 pm

Awesome. A timely post. I’m actually writing a out of character arc in the sequel to Into the Realm . In Rise of the Dark Walker , my main character, Carter, has gone from snarking, and explosive temper, to neck lifts, and intimating torture to find his love who’s been abducted.

July 16, 2014 at 7:27 pm

Perfect, Robert. Thanks for commenting with that example. 🙂

July 15, 2014 at 5:41 pm

I’m a non-fiction author, but I use the concept of personal story arcs in my work in personal development. I absolutely love MJ’s work for that. She’s great at showing the logical progression of behavior and story and making sense of complicated nuances.

I could trace a particularly bizarre true-story with a “character” I know right through this post. In a basic way the character began with very frequent, but lesser expressions of anger, like irritability. When the anger was questioned, sometimes the response was to back-peddle—until the next time. Other times, the response was to ramp up the anger in an attempt to avoid being questioned about the lack of integrity shown through the anger. Over time, consistent challenges to integrity were met with progressively amplified expressions of anger, until there was a loss of rational thought. It was a form of insanity.

You see… there’s a reason it’s called “madness.”

Thanks for the great post, MJ. And thanks Angela for hosting great material like this.

July 16, 2014 at 7:26 pm

Thank you for sharing that, Susan. It’s so concrete and detailed that I’m sure anyone reading it will get some insight or inspiration from it. I know I did. 🙂

July 16, 2014 at 8:00 pm

Well, now you know why I dig your work so much. 🙂

July 18, 2014 at 6:14 pm

Aw, thanks Susan. 🙂

July 15, 2014 at 5:24 pm

Thank you so much for this insightful article! It’s given me some food for thought about a particular scene I’m currently working on.

July 16, 2014 at 7:23 pm

I love it when the timing is that good! May the scene turn out well, Marsar.

July 15, 2014 at 4:41 pm

What a great topic. In my book, the mc usually stays silent when she’s angry. But when pushed, and when someone she loves is in real danger, she’s no longer silent. I definitely had to show the “why” her reactions changed. I think I did that in draft # gazillion.

July 16, 2014 at 7:22 pm

Great example, Julie! And you’re right, it can be hard to get right. 🙂

July 15, 2014 at 3:38 pm

MJ, just as in your previous guest post here, this is a wonderful take/insight on how to approach this! Thank you 😀

July 16, 2014 at 7:20 pm

Thanks, Donna Marie. I’ll do my best to keep delivering. 🙂

July 15, 2014 at 12:13 pm

Great points. Thanks for making me delve deeper into my characters. A blog to save, for sure!

July 15, 2014 at 2:07 pm

Thanks, Carol. If you were to look at just one character, what would be the typical anger? Would you share? 🙂

July 15, 2014 at 9:59 am

To the point! Thanks for getting me to think about anger again. And three steps are about as many as I can hold in my head at one time. HAH!

July 15, 2014 at 2:04 pm

Thanks, Shutta. Come back and update us with what you do with them, eh? 🙂

July 15, 2014 at 9:31 am

Ooooh, one of the chapters I worked on this past weekend showed my MC when she was angry! This article was a nice coincidence for that reason. Thanks for another well-written, informative article, MJ!

My protagonist’s typical anger…. When she’s forced to be in the presence of the character who’s angered her, she keeps her thoughts and opinions (usually scathing or vindictive ones) about that character or their situation to herself. Her body language and tone of voice give her true feelings away, though. Otherwise, she tries to avoid the other character and opts for the silent treatment – once again making it obvious that she’s not happy about something.

A specific situation toward the end of the story takes the protagonist’s anger one step further. She learns of a secret that one of the other characters has kept from her – and when she learns that secret, her emotions explode. She yells, refuses to listen to reason, even threatens violence against the person. It’s all part of her arc as she learns how to be a more forgiving person and to let go of her painful past, which is the underlying reason for her volatility and vengefulness.

July 15, 2014 at 2:03 pm

Wonderful, Sara! It sounds like you have a great arc on your hands. 🙂

July 15, 2014 at 9:14 am

Although none of my characters in ANGRY ENOUGH TO KILL (to be released in November) cry when they get angry, I do. Go figure!

I suspect that my character in the next in the series will cry when she’s angry…never thought to use that when I was developing her character, but your article really hit the nail on the head for me. An “eureka” moment!

P.S. Website being updated.

July 15, 2014 at 2:01 pm

Sheryl, that’s a perfect example. What do you think you’ll use to take her that far? If that’s a surprise, I won’t pry. 😉

July 18, 2014 at 10:27 pm

Crying when angry is exactly how I react to anger. I think I was in fifth or sixth grade when I realized that. When I am able to realize that I’m crying despite not being sad, I have to try and extract myself from the situation before I say or do something I regret. Although once I am aware that I’m in this state it’s a whole lot easier to watch my tongue (but my thoughts get pretty scathing), so that helps. It’s nice in a way to have such a “defenseless” physical cue. People read it wrong and I can try and take back control of my situation.

July 15, 2014 at 7:08 am

Thank you for having me again, Angela. You too, Becca. 🙂

[…] all causes she or he may repress what’s happening inside them.” See additionally Angela on Taking Your Character Further and Deeper with…Anger? and Character Skills & Talents: […]

[…] MJ Bush guest posts on Writers Helping Writers. Three steps to deepening your character with anger. […]

[…] Martina Boone wonders if readers give more leeway to unlikeable male characters than to unlikeable female characters, and MJ Bush gives us 3 steps to taking our character further and deeper with anger. […]

BRYN DONOVAN

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Essential Reference for Angry Expressions and Angry Body Language

People have asked me for a list of angry expressions and angry body language

ever since I put up my big, general List of Facial Expressions and List of Body Language and Gestures posts…in other words, for years and years! Now that I have my pretty blog theme, it’s a lot easier to share visual examples. 

I developed this post from my book Master Lists for Writers and from licensed stock photography. I hope it’s a great “show don’t tell” reference for writers (and for any artists drawing an angry face, for that matter.)

If you find this useful, please link to it on your website or social media…or pin it to Pinterest. I appreciate it!

Because there are different levels of anger, here’s what I’m going to cover:  

•annoyed expression

•annoyed body language, •angry expression, •angry body language.

Let’s get into it!

Annoyed Expression

An annoyed or irritated facial expression might include any of the following! You can probably use these if someone is impatient or if they’re irritated by something that someone else has said or done.

•rolling their eyes or looking upward

•twisting their mouth to one side

•tightening their lips into a narrow line

•pursing lips

•turning the corners of their mouth downward

•furrowing their eyebrows

•raising their eyebrows as in disbelief

•scrunching up face

•giving the annoying person the side-eye

•giving the person a wide-eyed or a “dead” stare

Annoyed Face Reference

Annoyed Body Language

Annoyed body language and general reactions may include any of the following:

•looking away

•throwing their head back/looking upward

•crossing their arms

•tapping/drumming their fingers

•tapping their foot

•jiggling their foot, if sitting cross-legged

•raising one or both hands, palm upward…an “are you kidding me?” gesture

•tilting their head to one side

•shaking head slightly

•pinching the bridge of their nose

•rubbing their face 

•leaning their forehead on their hand

•sighing (this isn’t really angry body language, but such a common reaction, I wanted to include it!)

Angry Expression

An angry or even furious facial expression might include any of these things! Of course, there’s some overlap here with “annoyed expression,” and different characters express anger in different ways.

•drawing their upper lip up/back in a snarl (this is a more extreme angry expression, for fury or rage)

•tightening/locking their jaw

•narrowing their eyes

•dropping their jaw/opening their mouth wide in outrage

•widening their eyes

•looking wild-eyed/showing the whites of their eyes (also a more extreme angry expression)

•nostrils becoming flared

•becoming red in the face (this may be a telltale sign even when they’re hiding it!)

•a visible vein throbbing in their neck or forehead

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Angry Face Reference

I admit that last one is over the top!

Angry Body Language

Angry body language and gestures may include any of the following. 

•holding up palm of hand (“I’ve had enough”)

•sitting up straighter

•standing up taller

•squaring their shoulders

•balling their hands into fists (this one and the three above are examples of “ready to fight” body language)

•gripping something tightly—a the arm of a sofa, a coffee cup, a pen (a variation of the above)

•grabbing the sides of their head

•grabbing/tearing at their hair

•giving someone or something the middle finger or another rude gesture

•throwing hands up in the air

•pointing finger at person they’re angry at—or even waving their finger right in the person’s face

•lowering their head while glaring (think “ready to charge”—angry bull)

•leaning toward or getting closer to the person they’re angry at—getting “up in their face”

•crying (not exactly angry body language, but I’m including it because it’s a very common response to anger, especially among women)

A Quick Note on Point of View

You never want to describe an angry expression in the point of view of that character, because they can’t see their face! But you can still use the angry body language and actions. For a list of ways to write about the feeling of anger itself, please check out my long list of ways to describe anger in writing . 

Check Out the Book

If you’re enjoying this list, please check out my book  Master Lists for Writers to inspire you and to help you write faster and write more . You won’t be angry you did. 🙂 Many bestselling authors have told me they have this book sitting right on their desk when they write!

about how to describe an angry expression or angry body language in writing? Or about writing angry characters or high-conflict scenes in general? Let us know in the comments below! Thanks so much for reading, and happy writing!

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10 thoughts on “ essential reference for angry expressions and angry body language ”.

Thanks, Bryn. These are great!

Aw thank you Tanya! I’m glad you like them! I’ll do them for a couple of other emotions, too. 🙂

I love your lists so much, I just bought the book! But please don’t stop posting about them. They are great reminders to keep looking for new variations.

Hey friend, thank you! I hope you like it! Thanks for the kind words, too 🙂 Hope that sequel is going well!

Awesome list. Thank you so much for sharing!

Thanks for reading, Naomi! Hope you’re having a good week 🙂

Thanks Bryn. As usual, a very helpful post. Hope all is well.

Thanks for the kind words, Cheryl. 🙂 Hope everything’s good with you, too!

fantastic list and pointers!

Great post. It is so useful.

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Discussions about the writing craft.

Writing anger well?

Emotion is one of those things that makes or breaks a piece of writing, in my opinion. I've a bit of experience in the past of writing it from a third person perspective. Enter my new project. It's first person. And I'm trying to write a protagonist that isn't your typical "nothing phases me" kinda hero. He tries to do the good thing. But he's impulsive, emotional and loud. He's meant to have a quick fuse, but I'm struggling to write scenes where he's angry or hurt. I would like him to blow up, while still being likable. So I was wondering if any of you had advice on writing anger (any sort of anger, doesn't have to be specific to this character)? Or have you written or read any work that just personifies good angry writing? Any help would be amazing!