Emotion: Admiration

When you want to write the emotion admiration, 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 show; don't tell and immerse your readers in your story.

Admiration is a feeling of respect, approval, and appreciation towards a person, object, or idea. It involves recognizing and valuing the qualities, achievements, or actions of someone or something that we consider to be admirable or praiseworthy. Admiration can inspire us to learn from and emulate the positive traits of those we admire, and it can also motivate us to express gratitude and encouragement towards them. Overall, admiration is a positive and uplifting emotion that can contribute to our personal growth and social connections.

Different Types of Admiration

Here are some different types of admiration:

• Hero worship: when someone admires a person they perceive as a hero or a role model
• Physical attraction: when someone admires another person's appearance or physical attributes
• Intellectual admiration: when someone admires another person's intelligence or knowledge
• Professional admiration: when someone admires another person's skills or achievements in a particular profession
• Social admiration: when someone admires another person's popularity or social status

Situations Associated with Admiration

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

• Witnessing someone accomplish an impressive feat or achieve a challenging goal.
• Discovering an individual's unique talents or abilities that are highly valued.
• Observing acts of kindness, generosity, or selflessness towards others.
• Seeing someone overcome adversity or hardship with grace and resilience.
• Recognizing someone's exceptional character traits, such as honesty, integrity, or courage.
• Discovering a shared passion or interest with another person.
• Meeting someone who embodies qualities the character aspires to possess.

Physical Reactions to Admiration

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

• Dilated pupils
• A lifted chin and a straightened posture
• Softening of facial features, such as a slight smile or raised eyebrows
• Leaning forward towards the person or thing being admired
• Nodding and making affirmative sounds, such as "uh-huh" or "yes"
• Increased heart rate and shallow breathing
• Fidgeting or nervous movements, such as playing with hair or fiddling with clothing
• A desire to be closer to the person or thing being admired
• A tendency to compliment or praise the person or thing being admired

Thoughts Associated with Admiration

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing admiration might have:

• I can't believe how talented they are.
• I wish I could be more like them.
• I'm in awe of their courage.
• I respect them so much for what they've accomplished.
• I feel so lucky to have them in my life.
• I admire how they always stay true to their values.
• I'm inspired by their dedication and hard work.
• I hope to learn from them and grow as a person.
• They make me want to be a better version of myself.

Atmosphere of Admiration

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

• Include descriptions of beautiful or awe-inspiring natural landscapes, such as a vast mountain range or a stunning sunset.
• Use grand or elaborate architecture to convey a sense of admiration for human achievement and creativity.
• Show characters interacting with impressive and accomplished individuals, such as successful businesspeople or accomplished athletes.
• Use language that conveys respect and admiration, such as describing a character's actions as heroic or admirable.
• Create an atmosphere of celebration or reverence, such as a grand ceremony or a religious service.
• Include details that emphasize the exceptional qualities of a character, such as their intelligence, talent, or charisma.
• Use symbolism, such as a soaring eagle or a majestic lion, to reinforce the sense of admiration.
• Show characters engaging in activities that require skill or talent, such as playing an instrument or performing a difficult dance.
• Use music or other sensory details to heighten the emotional impact of the scene and convey a sense of awe or wonder.

Verbs Associated with Admiration

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

• Adore
• Cherish
• Marvel
• Revere
• Esteem
• Idolize
• Worship
• Respect
• Honor
• Prize
• Treasure
• Glorify
• Commend
• Applaud
• Celebrate

Emotions Before Admiration

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

• Curiosity
• Interest
• Respect
• Fascination
• Delight
• Surprise
• Amazement

Emotions After Admiration

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

• Respect
• Gratitude
• Inspiration
• Enthusiasm
• Joy
• Happiness
• Pride
• Confidence
• Trust
• Hope

Telling Admiration Examples to Avoid

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

• She admired him greatly.
• He was truly admirable in her eyes.
• She couldn't help but feel admiration for his talent.
• He was so admirable that she couldn't help but be impressed.
• She couldn't deny her admiration for his bravery.
• He was truly admirable and she couldn't help but respect him.
• She had always held him in high admiration.
• His actions were so admirable that she couldn't help but be inspired.
• She found him to be incredibly admirable.

Practical Examples of Showing Admiration

Here are some examples of showing admiration in a sentence:

• She watched in awe as the pianist's fingers danced across the keys.
• His dedication to the project impressed everyone on the team.
• The way she spoke about her mother with such reverence made me admire her even more.
• The young athlete's determination and grit were truly inspiring.

Exercises for Showing Admiration

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing admiration:

• Make a list of qualities that your character admires in someone else. This can help you identify what traits your character values and what they find inspiring.
• Write a scene where your character is observing someone they admire from afar. How do they react? What details do they notice about this person?
• Consider writing a letter from your character to someone they admire. This can help you get into your character's mindset and understand what they appreciate about this person.
• Write a scene where your character meets someone they admire for the first time. How do they feel? What do they say?

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