Setting Thesaurus Entry: Pond

Sight

leaves floating on water, lilly pads, water lillies, frogs, tadpoles, thrush, reeds, long grass, reeds, mud, algae, rocks, pebbles, willows, clover, moss, swirling water, air bubbles drifting up, water striders, snakes, weeds, wild flowers (dandelions, daisies, wild…

Sounds

splashing, air bubbles popping, wings flapping birds trilling, frogs croaking, small animals in the underbrush, a doe lapping up water, squawking birds, the buzz and hum of insects, wind rustling the leaves of the nearby trees, crickets/grasshoppers rubbing their legs…

Smells

algae/stagnant water, grass, wildflowers, wild mint, sweet clover, pine & spruce trees, wet earth, sunshine, decaying leaves, water slime

Tastes

The dewy sweetness of a grass stalk shoot plucked from the ground, seasonal berries (Saskatoon’s, strawberries, gooseberries, wild raspberries, blackberries), accidentally eating a bug while talking, rose hips

Touch

Cold water slipping over skin, mud squishing between toes, warn sun on the skin, soft grass or moss against the back, insects landing or crawling across skin, the bite of an insect, the slimy feel in the hand from a caught frog or tadpole, scratching in the mud with…

Helpful hints:

–The words you choose can convey atmosphere and mood.

Example 1: Flinn and I sit on the lush bank, our poles dripping lines into the motionless water. The head of a bullfrog lifts briefly near a patch of duckweed, eying us curiously before dropping back down into the murk. Neither Flinn or I know if this pond has fish, but we do know that hidden here among the tall cedars and rustling poplar trees, dad and his list of dusty, grimy farm chores can’t reach us…

–Similes and metaphors create strong imagery when used sparingly.

Example 1: (Metaphor) A breeze winnowed along the water’s edge through trees and reeds and silky grass, filling the air with an exotic language of rustles, ticks and creaks…

Think beyond what a character sees, and provide a sensory feast for readers

Setting is much more than just a backdrop, which is why choosing the right one and describing it well is so important. To help with this, we have expanded and integrated this thesaurus into our online library at One Stop For Writers. Each entry has been enhanced to include possible sources of conflict, people commonly found in these locales, and setting-specific notes and tips, and the collection itself has been augmented to include a whopping 230 entries—all of which have been cross-referenced with our other thesauruses for easy searchability. So if you’re interested in seeing a free sample of this powerful Setting Thesaurus, head on over and register at One Stop.

On the other hand, if you prefer your references in book form, we’ve got you covered, too, because both books are now available for purchase in digital and print copies. In addition to the entries, each book contains instructional front matter to help you maximize your settings. With advice on topics like making your setting do double duty and using figurative language to bring them to life, these books offer ample information to help you maximize your settings and write them effectively.