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.