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Basics of Writing

The sounds of narration in 118 words

Describing things is what I do as a writer, and I’m sure you do too. The challenge is always to come up with new and exciting ways to accomplish it.

Through my research and experimentation, I have found that narrating sounds can be a powerful tool to describe a scene or set the tone of a work. This technique can enhance the audience’s understanding. I have found that narrating sounds can be an effective way to complement visuals and help to bring stories to life.

Making your descriptions more vivid is as simple as narrating sounds. I feel that sounds add a lot of subtle richness to your writing. Using words that accurately describe the sound can help to create a more immersive experience for the reader. Additionally, it can create suspense or tension in a scene.

But, of course, you should always use words that naturally fit into your story. By doing this, your story will remain credible to your readers. Furthermore, the characters and setting will become easier to identify with, creating a more immersive experience.

118 words about sounds

Sound has the power to evoke emotion and create atmosphere. It can transport us to another place, connect us, and influence our behavior. Music, in particular, has been used to tell stories and unite people for centuries.

  1. Bang
  2. Bark
  3. Beep
  4. Bellow
  5. Big
  6. Blare
  7. Blast
  8. Blat
  9. Bleat
  10. Boisterous
  11. Bong
  12. Boom
  13. Bray
  14. Buzz
  15. Cackle
  16. Cacophonous
  17. Cheep
  18. Chime
  19. Chirp
  20. Clack
  21. Clang
  22. Clank
  23. Clap
  24. Clatter
  25. Click
  26. Clink
  27. Cluck
  28. Clunk
  29. Crack
  30. Crackle
  31. Crash
  32. Creak
  33. Ding-dong
  34. Drip
  35. Drum
  36. Fizz
  37. Glug
  38. Gnash
  39. Gobble
  40. Grate
  41. Grind
  42. Groan
  43. Growl
  44. Grumble
  45. Grunt
  46. Gurgle
  47. Hiss
  48. Hoot
  49. Howl
  50. Hum
  51. Jangle
  52. Jungle
  53. Knock
  54. Mew
  55. Moan
  56. Moo
  57. Murmur
  58. Neigh
  59. Patter
  60. Peal
  61. Peep
  62. Ping
  63. Pop
  64. Pound
  65. Pow
  66. Pulse
  67. Purr
  68. Put-put
  69. Rap
  70. Rat-a-tat
  71. Rattle
  72. Ring
  73. Rip
  74. Roar
  75. Rumble
  76. Rush
  77. Rustle
  78. Scream
  79. Screech
  80. Scrunch
  81. Shriek
  82. Sizzle
  83. Slam
  84. Snap
  85. Snarl
  86. Snort
  87. Splash
  88. Splutter
  89. Sputter
  90. Squawk
  91. Squeak
  92. Squeal
  93. Squish
  94. Stamp
  95. Swish
  96. Swoosh
  97. Tap
  98. Tear
  99. Throb
  100. Thud
  101. Thump
  102. Thunder
  103. Tick
  104. Ticktock
  105. Tinkle
  106. Toot
  107. Trill
  108. Twang
  109. Twitter
  110. Wail
  111. Wheeze
  112. Whine
  113. Whir
  114. Whisper
  115. Whistle
  116. Yap
  117. Yelp
  118. Zap

Writing about sounds can be easy or difficult, depending on your approach. Try to focus on the details to make it easier to write about sounds. Describe the pitch, volume, and texture of the sound. You can also use imagery and metaphor to convey your experience of a sound.

If you have a morning commute, I find that being alone in your thoughts while going through the motions is an educational opportunity to work on your project by making you more observant.

By using the prompts here, I hope you’ll be able to tell more vivid stories with emotionally engaging sounds. There are also many other options for naming and working with sounds. What you can use is limited only by your imagination. Perhaps you will think of something that isn’t on this list.

Guilliean Pacheco (she/her) is an American of Filipino descent. She is an early career full-stack writer by day and raconteuse by night. Her journey includes earning an M.F.A. in Writing from the University of San Francisco, a Media Writing certificate from the New School, and becoming an Anaphora Arts poetry fellow. She's also a valued A.I.R. and IWW FJU member, deeply rooted in her passion for supporting the creative community. A misplaced California girl, she lives in Las Vegas normally — if one could call living there normal — on Southern Paiute land.

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