Emotion: Respect

When you want to write the emotion respect, 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.

Respect is a feeling of admiration and appreciation for someone's abilities, qualities, or achievements. It involves recognizing the value and worth of another person, as well as treating them with dignity and consideration. Respect can be shown in a variety of ways, such as listening attentively, offering support and encouragement, and speaking kindly and respectfully. It is an important emotion to incorporate into writing, as it can help to create well-rounded and relatable characters.

Different Types of Respect

Here are some different types of respect:

• Respect for others' opinions and beliefs
• Respect for authority figures
• Respect for cultural or societal norms and traditions
• Respect for oneself and one's personal boundaries
• Respect for the environment and the natural world
• Respect for different races, genders, sexual orientations, and other identities
• Respect for diversity and inclusivity
• Respect for the past and historical figures
• Respect for the future and future generations

Situations Associated with Respect

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

• Witnessing someone perform an act of kindness or generosity
• Seeing someone achieve a difficult goal or milestone
• Learning about someone's personal struggles and how they overcame them
• Being impressed by someone's intelligence, talent, or skill
• Observing someone handle a difficult situation with grace and poise
• Recognizing someone's hard work and dedication to a task or project
• Seeing someone stand up for their beliefs or values, even in the face of adversity
• Learning about someone's life experiences and the lessons they have learned
• Seeing someone demonstrate leadership or mentorship abilities

Physical Reactions to Respect

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

• Standing tall with good posture
• Making direct eye contact
• Speaking in a calm and measured tone
• Using polite language and manners
• Listening actively and attentively
• Giving space and allowing others to speak without interruption
• Acknowledging others' opinions and ideas
• Offering praise and recognition for others' accomplishments
• Treating others with kindness and empathy
• Avoiding interrupting or talking over others
• Showing appreciation and gratitude for others' contributions
• Following rules and guidelines

Thoughts Associated with Respect

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing respect might have:

• Acknowledging the achievements and qualities of others
• Admiring someone's strength, intelligence, or talent
• Wanting to honor and follow the rules and traditions
• Being polite and courteous to others, regardless of their status or background
• Feeling grateful for the help or guidance received from others
• Recognizing the worth and dignity of every human being
• Avoiding judgment and prejudice based on stereotypes or biases
• Being open-minded and willing to learn from others
• Showing appreciation and gratitude for the sacrifices made by others

Atmosphere of Respect

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

• Show characters using formal language or gestures, such as bowing or nodding, to indicate respect for one another.
• Describe a physical space that is clean, organized, and well-maintained, which can suggest a sense of respect for the environment or the people who use it.
• Have characters engage in activities that are traditional or ritualistic, such as a military salute or a religious ceremony, which can convey a sense of respect for authority or tradition.
• Use descriptions of light, color, or sound to create a sense of reverence or awe, such as a shaft of sunlight shining down on a sacred object or a choir singing a hymn.
• Show characters deferring to one another's expertise or experience, acknowledging each other's contributions, or showing gratitude and appreciation for each other.

Verbs Associated with Respect

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

• Admire
• Honor
• Esteem
• Recognize
• Value
• Appreciate
• Regard
• Acknowledge
• Trust
• Reverence
• Cherish
• Prize
• Hold in high esteem
• Look up to

Emotions Before Respect

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

• Admiration
• Appreciation
• Gratitude
• Reverence
• Acknowledgment
• Esteem
• Honor
• Trust

Emotions After Respect

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

• Admiration
• Appreciation
• Gratitude
• Reverence
• Reverential awe
• Honor
• Esteem
• Regard
• High opinion

Telling Respect Examples to Avoid

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

• He respected her opinion and decided to follow her advice.
• They respected each other's privacy and never asked too many personal questions.
• She always had a lot of respect for her grandfather, who had lived through so much in his life.
• He felt a deep respect for the traditions of his culture and made sure to follow them closely.
• They showed their respect for the fallen soldiers by standing silently during the moment of silence.
• She had a lot of respect for her boss and always did her best to meet his expectations.
• He had a great deal of respect for the natural world and did everything he could to protect it.
• She respected his decision to stay home that night and didn't try to convince him to come out with her.
• They both had a lot of respect for the other's talent and worked well together as a team.

Practical Examples of Showing Respect

Here are some examples of showing respect in a sentence:

• She stood tall in front of the elderly woman, bowing slightly as she presented the freshly baked bread.
• He avoided eye contact with his boss, keeping his tone professional as he handed in his resignation letter.
• The soldier saluted the flag as it was raised, tears welling up in his eyes.
• She held the door open for the man behind her, stepping aside to let him pass before entering herself.

Exercises for Showing Respect

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing respect:

• Write a scene where your character shows respect to someone they admire or look up to. This could be a mentor, a parent, a teacher, or anyone else they hold in high regard.
• Create a character who has a strong sense of tradition and values, and explore how they show respect for their cultural or familial heritage.
• Write a scene where your character disagrees with someone else but still shows respect for their opinion. This could be a debate over politics, religion, or any other topic that often leads to heated discussions.
• Imagine a scenario where your character is in a position of authority, and explore how they show respect for the people they are responsible for leading or managing.
• Write a scene where your character is faced with a difficult decision that requires them to weigh their own desires against the needs and feelings of others. How do they show respect for everyone involved in the situation?
• Create a character who has experienced disrespect in their life, and explore how they respond to that disrespect. Do they choose to respond with respect, or do they become bitter and resentful?
• Write a scene where your character shows respect for someone who is very different from them, whether it be a different race, culture, religion, or background. How do they bridge the gap between their differences and find common ground?

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