How do you use sensory details to show your setting and atmosphere?

For real-life storytelling, this is especially important. When I am working with clients, I'll often ask them questions they've never considered--but that are critical for SHOWing. They'll say: "I was worried." I'll ask: "What does being worried feel like?" After some consideration, we'll be more explicit: "My face aches from my jaw being clenched together. When I lay down to sleep, the only images in my mind are the worst case scenarios, and relief only comes when I finally am so exhausted that I fall asleep...only to be right back in the cycle of dread as soon as I open my eyes in the morning." This is worry. By SHOWING rather than just telling, we evoke the emotions our audience feels to make the story more vivid and memorable.

Showing is so much more meaningful than telling your audience something (similar to the idea that actions speak louder than words). Active voice and sensory language can help your audience experience the story you're telling, rather than simply reading it. In a sense, when you "show" you're providing a 3D experience and when you "tell" you're providing a 2D experience.

When telling a story, the most important pillar is that people should visualize what you are conveying. If they can understand and relate to it, then they will be able to take action. Make it relatable and show it, don't tell.

The trick is not what a character is seeing. It's how they feel about what they are seeing. It's not about the room they are in. It's how they feel about being that room. Focus on the feeling. This makes a story more relatable. I may have never been in a cave, but I've felt trapped and isolated before. So, don't just tell me about a cave. Describe what that character feels like while navigating the unknown and what they are seeing and doing as a result.

It's simple: Because we connect with the stories that make us feel something - and feeling something usually happens when we can put ourselves in the shoes of the main character of the story. A great comparison is the difference between learning by doing (the equivalent to showing) and learning by learning (the equivalent to telling). When you show, don't tell, you're creating more room for your reader to become part of the story - which makes it more memorable and more evocative for them.

Sensory details are a brilliant storytelling hack - when writing or telling a story, you're relying either on visual (reading) or oral (listening). But for your audience to be truly immersed in a story, you need to give them the possibility to experience the full range of it. That's where sensory detail comes in. If you can make them feel the temperature of a room, or hear the background noise of your story's setting, they'll automatically be pulled further in. This is particularly important in business storytelling that uses anecdotes - the sensory details will give your story more potential for connection with your readers simply by immersing them in a more comprehensive way.

In the short, 3-minute, real-life stories I help my clients tell, I include at least 2 vivid sensory details. The effect of these details is to make certain aspects of the scene vivid in the mind of the audience. Neuroscientists have used fMRIs to show that when you communicate these vivid sensory details, the audience's brain reacts as if they were real. Mention something the storyteller sees, and the visual area of the audience's brain responds...sounds activate the auditory, etc. The more areas of the brain I can engage, the more memorable the story. Something as simple as "as I stood next to the white porcelain sinks in an otherwise dull beige restroom bathed in florescent light..." can create a vivid snapshot and feeling.

Engage All Five Senses. 1. Visual Descriptions: Paint a specific picture. Eg:"The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the rippling waves." 2. Auditory Elements: Sounds that enhance the scene. Eg:"The rustling leaves whispered secrets as the wind danced through the forest." 3. Tactile Sensations: Describe textures and temperatures. E.g.:"The rough bark of the ancient tree scratched against her fingertips." 4. Olfactory Descriptions: Incorporate smells to evoke emotions. Eg: "The aroma of the bread reminded her of Sunday mornings at her grandmother’s house." 5. Gustatory Details: Mention tastes for a more vivid scene. Eg:"The tangy sweetness of the lemonade was a refreshing contrast to the scorching summer heat."

Absolutely! Selecting relevant, specific, and evocative sensory details is essential for creating immersive and impactful storytelling experiences. By carefully choosing sensory elements that align with the setting, atmosphere, and character perspective, storytellers can effectively convey mood, tone, and theme. This approach not only enriches the reader's experience by painting a vivid picture of the scene but also deepens the reader's connection to the narrative and characters. Balancing sensory details allows for a nuanced portrayal of emotions and sensations, whether it's capturing the ominous feel of a dark forest or the excitement of an adventurous character exploring a vibrant landscape.

The whole idea of incorporating sensory elements to depict a setting or atmosphere is to ensure your audience has a visual picture of the story or message being portrayed. There are many opportunities to use sensory elements in all messaging formats. I’ve personally observed with admiration how different videographers capture the sensory elements relevant to a video story — which are also referred to as the sights and sounds we experience or imagine while reading/watching the story. E.g. the sight of sneakers and fitness costume and the sounds of footsteps on a trail to depict a passionate hiker.

When it comes to real-world storytelling (outside of fiction), the biggest mistake most people make when they use sensory details is to overdo it. There's two ways that can happen: - Using too many details (usually any more than 1 or 2 is too many) - Describing details in a theatrical or literary way no one would ever use in real life ("The day was bright like a supernova") The fix is easy: - Pick one or two details (at most!) that will help your audience imagine the scene in their own minds - Use language you'd use with friends (think "bar, not Broadway") That's all you really need to use sensory details but not abuse them.

Every storytelling tool needs to serve as a booster for the core message you're trying to convey, and sensory detail is not different. If you're keen on using this tool, make sure to edit your stories for the following: - Is this detail likely to evoke an emotion in the reader? - Is this detail serving the core message of my story? - Is this detail repetitive? - Is this detail a cliché? There's no point in using sensory detail for sensory detail's sake. Check in with your audience and the way you want to make them feel at the end of your story. Then you can start sprinkling in sensory detail for added effect.

Balance sensory details with action. While sensory details are important, balance them with the narrative to keep the story moving. Example: "She navigated the bustling market, the scent of spices hanging in the air, while vendors shouted their wares and children darted through the crowd."

Prioritize sensory details that are most relevant to the mood, tone, and theme of the scene. Avoid overwhelming the reader with excessive sensory information, focusing on key details that enhance the atmosphere and advance the narrative. Integrate sensory details seamlessly into the prose, avoiding distractions or disruptions to the flow of the story.

Balance is the cornerstone of mastery. Just as a chef carefully measures ingredients to create the perfect dish, so too must a writer judiciously blends sensory details to craft a harmonious narrative. Avoid overwhelming the reader with an onslaught of sensations, instead, employ a delicate touch, sprinkling moments of sensory richness throughout your prose like stars in the night sky. Find the equilibrium between lush description and fluid storytelling, allowing each sensory detail to enhance, not detract from, the overarching narrative.

Clichés in storytelling are easy to fall into and leaves your audience with a predictable experience. Once you've written your story, it's important to go back and check for these. Then, when you find one, you can adjust your language to show what you were trying to say uniquely. By doing this, you're allowing your audience to engage in a more memorable story.

I have always felt that when trying to show your story and get your audiencess senses engaged, cliches and stereotypes actually come in handy. But then you have to use them with an air of caution and not overdo them. I am an ardent reader and come across phrases like "He sighed" "He sighed deeply" "He let out a quivery breath" "Labored breathing" And 80% of the time the buck stops here. Only 20% of the times the author goes to the extent of using smiles and metaphors that are more creative - "He let out a bumpy breathe." "A crackling breath." Some stories need easy settings and expressions so that the main point is not lost. Others have time for a build - providing the liberty to engage in more innovative smiles or metaphors.

The great thing about life (which is what we usually draw from for professional storytelling purposes) is that every experience - and so every story - is totally unique. This is how you avoid clichés and stereotypes in professional storytelling: - Tell the story like it is - Identify details that are quirky, weird or unusual and lean into them - Throw the first sensory detail you'd like to use out the window and try a different one - if you tend to lean on visual, try for audio - Google your sensory detail for clichés and stereotypes and edit accordingly

The great thing about business storytelling is that every story is different - we're usually sharing an anecdote or an experience entirely unique to us. What that means for avoiding clichés and stereotypes is that you've already got the material you need to make sure your story stays fresh and unique to you. By using language you would actually use to describe the setting or scene of your story, you'll almost automatically avoid them. Remember to edit for clichés, in particular - if you find them, it usually helps to just rework using your natural tone of voice and way of describing things. This also strengthens your personal storytelling brand and makes your stories more memorable.

Break free from the shackles of convention, daring to explore the uncharted territories of sensory description. Resist the temptation to rely on tired clichés and worn-out stereotypes, opting instead for fresh, innovative imagery that captivates the imagination. Embrace the unique essence of your setting and atmosphere, infusing your prose with authentic detail that resonates with truth and originality. Challenge yourself to see the world through new eyes, and in doing so, uncover the hidden treasures of sensory richness waiting to be discovered.

It was a frozen bitter morning in Brooklyn. The snow glittered and sparkled, and the world hung silent under the ice. I walked carefully to my car, carrying a pile of clothes, pots and pans. --- I just practiced sensory details by retelling a memory I had from this winter. The time of day, the place, the feeling, the smell and the sound, or lack of sound in this case. Ann Lamont says "write about your childhood". But writing about any experience in your past can help you practice this. In acting, actors draw on the 10 points of the situation at hand for their character to get into the moment. What does the carpet feel like? What time is it? Can I hear the clock ticking in the next room? Getting deep on sensory details helps actors be real

One way to insert key sensory details is to use them to add texture to your conflict moments - instead of 'the room was silent', you could say 'the thick cloud of silence in the room was thankfully dissipated by the sudden buzz of a cell phone against the wooden conference table." Think of sounds, feelings or dynamics that you could bring to life through certain verbal descriptions.

Cultivate the art of observation, for the world is a treasure trove of sensory delights waiting to be unearthed. Take time to wander through bustling streets, savoring the myriad scents, sounds, and sights that surround you. Keep a journal close at hand, capturing fleeting moments of sensory brilliance with pen and paper. Experiment with different techniques, from free writing to structured exercises, honing your ability to evoke emotion through vivid descriptions. With each word penned and each sensation savored, you draw ever closer to mastery of the sensory craft.

There are some great books that allow you to practice sensory details. For example, "Emotion in Action" by Paxton Bond, is a great one. I contains sections of writing exercises for showing rather than telling different emotions. Another good one is "The Emotional Craft of Fiction" by Donald Maass.

Try blending your sensory descriptions! Literary synesthesia is a device where storytellers describe one sensory experience using terms typically associated with another sensory experience (smelling colors, tasting sounds, etc.). It's a creative, evocative way of describing experiences, emotions, or scenes, blurring the lines between the senses in a way that can make storytelling more vivid and emotionally powerful. “She spoke of fruit that tasted the way sapphires look…” —Toni Morrison’s “Paradise” “The scent of lilacs filled the room with a purple haze.” —Vladimir Nabokov’s “Lolita” “Back to the region where the sun is silent.” Dante Alighieri’s “The Divine Comedy” Play with sensory descriptions in your storytelling, and have fun! 🖤

Beyond sensory details, consider the emotional resonance of your descriptions. How does the scent of baking bread evoke nostalgia or the sight of an old photograph stir memories? Infuse your sensory details with emotional depth to create a connection that lingers long after your reader has turned the final page. Embrace the power of sensory storytelling to craft narratives that resonate on a visceral level.

Watching action sports is one way I understand how sensory details are important in storytelling. In a recent rugby documentary, I could feel the pain the players go through because of well-placed sound effects. When 2 players smash against each other, the sound was elevated to make you feel the heavy impact, bones struggling to stay intact, air forcefully leaving their lungs, the buzzing in their heads..... Sensory details make your viewer/reader experience your story as if they were there physically. They will feel the pain, joy, sadness, confusion....(name it) that your subject is experiencing. This glues them to your story, all the way to the end.