If you’re like me, you’re always looking for a new way to spice up the action lines of your screenplay. Action lines really need powerful words that not only communicate the image you’re trying to put in the readers’ minds, and eventually to the screen, but they also have to be concise.
One of the ways to rally be evocative is through the use of onomatopoeia words. But what is an onomatopoeia, and how do you use it in writing?
Let’s jump in.
Onomatopoeia Definition
The meaning of “onomatopoeia” is simple—it’s a word that resembles or suggests the sound that it describes. Easy!
The plural of “onomatopoeia” is “onomatopoeiae” or “onomatopoeias.”
How to Use Onomatopoeia Words in Your Writing
As you can imagine, when you’re writing you need words to pop, especially in action.
There are so many times I am reading an amateur script and see the same boring action lines over and over again. Spice up the way you write and create an atmosphere with onomatopoeia. Not only are you telling people what happens on the screen, but you’re building an aura for what people will hear and feel.
I think it’s hard to remember all kinds of new words in real time.
So, maybe try implementing a variety when you polish. Use this big list to pull from and let us know how it works out for you.
A List of Onomatopoeia Words
- Animal Sounds
- Arf/Woof/Bark/Howl/Growl (dog)
- Meow/Purr (cat)
- Moo (cow)
- Neigh (horse)
- Oink (pig)
- Baa (sheep)
- Cluck (chicken)
- Quack (duck)
- Gobble (turkey)
- Hiss (snake)
- Roar (lion)
- Croak (frog)
- Ribbit (frog)
- Chirp/Tweet (bird)
- Buzz (bee/fly)
- Hoot (owl)
- Squeak (mouse)
- Bray (donkey)
Human Sounds
- Ahem/Ahem (clearing throat)
- Argh/Ugh/Ouch (pain/frustration)
- Boo-hoo/Whimper/Wail (crying)
- Burp
- Chatter/Mumble/Murmur (talking quietly)
- Chomp/Munch (eating)
- Cough/Sneeze/Sniffle (sick sounds)
- Giggle/Chuckle/Haha (laughter)
- Groan
- Hiccup
- Hmm/Uh-huh (thinking sounds)
- Moan (pain/pleasure)
- Shush/Hush (quiet down)
- Slurp (drinking)
- Snore
- Yawn
- Yikes/Eek (surprise/fear)
- Yum/Mmm (enjoying food)
Impact Sounds
- Bang/Boom/Pow (explosion/gunshot)
- Bonk/Clonk/Thonk (hit on the head)
- Bump/Thump/Thud (heavy impact)
- Clank/Clang (metal hitting metal)
- Clap/Smack/Slap (hand hitting something)
- Click/Clack (light, sharp sound)
- Crack/Snap (breaking)
- Crash/Smash (violent impact)
- Crunch/Scrunch (crushing/walking on something crunchy)
- Plop/Splash (something falling into water)
- Pop (small explosion/cork/balloon)
- Splat (something soft hitting something)
- Squish/Squash (squeezing something soft)
- Tick/Tock (clock)
- Tinkle (bell/glass)
Movement Sounds
- Clang/Clatter (rattling metal objects)
- Ding-dong (doorbell)
- Drip/Drop (liquid falling)
- Fizz/Sizzle (frying/carbonated drinks)
- Flip-flop (sandals)
- Jingle/Jangle (keys/bells)
- Pitter-patter (light rain/footsteps)
- Rustle (leaves/paper)
- Rumble (thunder/stomach)
- Screech/Squeal (tires/brakes)
- Slosh/Splash (liquid moving around)
- Swish/Swoosh (something moving quickly through the air)
- Thump-thump (heartbeat/footsteps)
- Vroom/Zoom (car/fast movement)
- Whirr/Whine (machine/motor)
- Zip/Zap (fastener/electricity)
Other Sounds
- Brr/Brrr (cold)
- Ding (bell/notification)
- Phew (relief)
- Poof/Puff (disappearing/smoke)
- Psst (getting someone’s attention)
- Shh/Shh (be quiet)
- Tick-tock (clock)
- Whee/Woo-hoo (excitement)
Onomatopoeia is a powerful tool that can add depth and realism to any piece of writing. By carefully choosing the right words, you can transport your readers to another world and make them feel like they are part of the action. So next time you’re writing, don’t forget to sprinkle in some onomatopoeia!
Let me know what you think in the comments.
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