PHYSICAL FEATURE THESAURUS

NECK



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HELPFUL TIP:

Physical features should do more than simply describe how a character looks. Just like their occupation or area of giftedness, a character's appearance can say a great deal about them. Hinting at traits through clothing choices, alluding to an emotional state through movements, and highlighting certain details for comparison or contrast purposes can help readers form opinions on who the character really is.
DESCRIPTORS AND KEY ELEMENTS:
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COMMON ACTIONS AND ALTERNATIVE WORDS TO DENOTE THEM:
Turn: bend, come around, pivot, roll, rotate, swivel, twist, jerk
Stretch: roll, extend, crane, lengthen, pull

EMOTIONS AND RELATED GESTURES:
  • In response to anxiety, the neck will tighten, with the skin stretching taut and the tendons standing out. People will often roll, stretch, or massage the neck in an effort to relieve stress.
  • At the onset of embarrassment, a flush will usually start at the neck and creep upward into the face with a hot and prickling sensation.
  • Strong emotion such as fear or anger can tighten the body's muscles, making the neck feel sore and stiff. Prolonged stress can lead to headaches, migraines, and muscle pain in the neck.

SIMILE AND METAPHOR EXAMPLES:
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CLICHÉS TO AVOID:
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BODY DESCRIPTION NOTES:
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