When you want to write the emotion mirth, it's important to "show" the emotion your character is experiencing through their physical reactions and dialogue, rather than "tell" it. In this article we provide you with inspiration so you can avoid showing not telling and immerse your readers in your story.

Mirth is defined as a feeling of happiness and joy that is expressed through laughter, smiling, and lightheartedness. It is a positive emotion that is associated with amusement, humor, and pleasure. When a character experiences mirth, they are typically in a state of high spirits and can find humor in even the most mundane situations. It is important for writers to understand the nuances of this emotion and how to effectively convey it through their characters' actions, dialogue, and internal thoughts.

Different Types of Mirth

Here are some different types of mirth:

• Amusement: The feeling of finding something funny or entertaining.
• Glee: A feeling of great delight or joy, often accompanied by laughter or smiling.
• Joviality: A lighthearted, friendly, and cheerful mood or attitude.
• Merriment: A state of amusement, cheerfulness, and high spirits.
• Jocularity: A tendency to joke and be playful, often expressed through humor and wit.
• Hilarity: A feeling of great amusement, often accompanied by boisterous laughter.

Situations Associated with Mirth

Here are some situations where a character might experience the emotion of mirth:

• Winning a competition or achieving a long-term goal
• Celebrating with friends and family
• Hearing a joke or witnessing a humorous situation
• Receiving good news, such as a promotion or a positive health diagnosis
• Spending time with a loved one after a long period of separation
• Finding unexpected joy in a mundane situation
• Participating in an activity that brings them happiness, such as dancing or singing
• Making a breakthrough in a difficult project or problem-solving situation
• Engaging in playful banter or teasing with someone they enjoy being around

Physical Reactions to Mirth

Here are some physical reactions a character experiencing mirth might have:

• Smiling and laughing openly and genuinely
• Wrinkles around the eyes and mouth when smiling or laughing
• Elevated mood and energy levels
• Playful behavior and joking around
• Tendency to be more sociable and outgoing
• Increased use of humor and wit in conversations
• Positive body language, such as open arms and relaxed posture
• Light-heartedness and a carefree attitude
• A sense of joy and happiness that radiates from the person

Thoughts Associated with Mirth

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing mirth might have:

• This is hilarious!
• I can't stop laughing!
• My cheeks hurt from smiling so much.
• I feel so light-hearted and carefree.
• This is exactly what I needed today.
• It's great to be surrounded by such good company.
• I feel like I'm on top of the world.
• Nothing can bring me down right now.
• I want to savor this moment forever.

Atmosphere of Mirth

Here are some ways that you might reflect the emotion of mirth in the atmosphere of your scene:

• Use vibrant and colorful descriptions of the setting, such as a sunny day with a clear blue sky or a bustling carnival with bright lights and cheerful music.
• Incorporate elements of humor and playfulness into the scene, such as characters telling jokes or engaging in lighthearted banter.
• Use imagery that evokes a sense of joy and happiness, such as children playing or animals frolicking.
• Create a sense of community or togetherness, such as a group of friends laughing and enjoying each other's company.
• Incorporate physical actions that demonstrate the emotion of mirth, such as characters dancing, jumping, or hugging in excitement.
• Use sensory details to bring the scene to life, such as the smell of popcorn at a movie theater or the taste of ice cream on a hot day.
• Consider the time of day or season, as certain times of year or times of day can evoke a sense of joy and merriment, such as Christmas or a summer afternoon.

Verbs Associated with Mirth

Here are some verbs commonly associated with the emotion of mirth:

• Laughed
• Chuckled
• Giggled
• Snickered
• Smiled
• Grinned
• Beamed
• Radiated
• Glowed
• Twinkled
• Sparkled
• Bubbled
• Chortled
• Snorted
• Cackled
• Joked
• Teased
• Bantered
• Quipped
• Amused
• Delighted
• Entertained
• Enjoyed
• Revelled
• Celebrated
• Caroused
• Partied

Emotions Before Mirth

Here are some emotions that may come before a character experiences mirth:

• Happiness
• Joy
• Delight
• Excitement
• Amusement
• Pleasure
• Contentment
• Elation
• Gratitude

Emotions After Mirth

Here are some emotions that may come after a character experiences mirth:

• Contentment
• Serenity
• Gratitude
• Joy
• Satisfaction
• Pleasure
• Euphoria
• Bliss
• Cheerfulness

Telling Mirth Examples to Avoid

Here are some examples of telling the emotion mirth in a sentence. You should avoid things like this:

• John was filled with mirth as he listened to his friend's jokes.
• The comedian's performance caused waves of mirth to ripple through the audience.
• Sarah tried to hide her mirth as her boss told a ridiculous story.
• The children's laughter filled the room with mirth.
• Despite her best efforts, Jane couldn't help but feel a sense of mirth at her clumsy mishap.
• The party was filled with mirth and joy as everyone celebrated together.
• The sight of the dog chasing its own tail filled the onlookers with mirth.
• The group erupted in mirth as they reminisced about their wild adventures.
• The sense of mirth in the air was palpable as the crowd cheered on the performers.

Practical Examples of Showing Mirth

Here are some examples of showing mirth in a sentence:

• The room erupted with laughter as the clown slipped on a banana peel.
• Sarah's eyes twinkled as she recounted the hilarious story from last night's party.
• The group of friends giggled uncontrollably as they played a silly game together.
• John's grin widened as he watched the comical antics of the street performer.

Exercises for Showing Mirth

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing mirth:

• Start with a brainstorming session: think of situations that could evoke mirth in people. Jot down a list of these scenarios.
• Make a list of words that are associated with mirth. This could include: laughter, joy, amusement, humor, hilarity, etc.
• Imagine a character who is feeling mirthful. Describe their physical appearance, their facial expressions, and their body language.
• Write a scene where two characters are sharing a moment of mirth. What are they laughing about? What is their relationship to each other? What do they reveal about themselves through their laughter?
• Create a backstory for a character who has a hard time finding joy in life. What events led them to feel this way? How do they eventually find mirth?
• Write a story that centers around a character who is a comedian or a prankster. How do they use humor to navigate their world?
• Consider the role of satire in storytelling. Write a scene that uses satire to poke fun at a societal norm or expectation.
• Write a character who is often misunderstood because of their sense of humor. How do they navigate this challenge?

Want more help with showing emotion instead of telling? You find more help in our full emotions list.