Verb Choice: A Critical Writing Element
Word choice is very important when writing any story, but verb
choice is critical in conveying scene and characterization to
the reader. Verbs are the element in the sentence that conveys
action to the reader. In other words, the verb tells the reader
what the person or thing is doing.
Picking the wrong verb can completely change the image conveyed
to the reader. For example, consider the following sentence:
Greg walked into the room.
It gets the point across, but it doesn't really set the scene
for the reader. By changing just the verb, you can alter the
image in the mind of your reader. Consider these changes:
Greg ambled into the room.
Greg waltzed into the room.
Greg tiptoed into the room.
Greg shuffled into the room.
Each sentence gives a different picture to the reader. You can
convey a wealth of information with a single verb. Is the
character young or elderly? It's possible that an older
character might shuffle into the room. The image created is one
of short steps, feet barely lifted from the floor. Each movement
is an effort for this character. This could be due to age or
physical limitations, but the initial impression is different
than a character simply walking into the room.
In addition to physical characteristics, a verb can convey the
character's state of mind to the reader. What is the mood of the
character? He's unlikely to be depressed if he's waltzing into
the room. Tiptoeing might indicate he's trying to remain
undetected, while ambling gives an impression of confidence.
Verb choice is important. When choosing a verb, keep in mind the
scene you are trying to portray as well as the character you are
describing. Instead of using a common verb, such as walk, try
substituting others to see if it increases the impact of the
sentence.