Synesthesia

by Adam Huddleston

This week’s literary term is: synesthesia. While it generally refers to a medical condition, as it pertains to writing, it is defined as a link between two or more of a character’s senses. Often seen in poetry, synesthesia is used to combine several senses, leading to a deeper understanding by the reader.

For example: “I immediately noticed the sharp smell of rubbing alcohol.” While sharp is a term usually connected to the sense of touch, here it is used with that of smell. Effective use of synesthesia can broaden your writing make the reading experience more enjoyable.

Happy writing!