SETTING THESAURUS

PRISON CELL



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HELPFUL TIP:

Settings should always be chosen with care. Consider the emotion you want your viewpoint character to feel and how setting choices, weather elements, and symbolism might build a specific mood in the scene, create tension and conflict, or even raise the stakes.
SIGHTS:
Iron bars or a solid metal front wall with a sliding door
Cement walls
Furniture (single or bunk beds, a dented metal locker, a simple desk and chair) that is firmly fastened to the wall and floor
A barred window
A thin mattress and pillow, old sheets, rough blankets
A metal toilet and sink
Things written or carved into the walls (names, dates, sayings, vulgarity, etc.)
Painted cement floors
Bars with the paint worn off from hands gripping them
Prison clothing and lace-less shoes
Basic toiletries such as toothpaste, a comb, soap, and toilet paper
A ceiling light with a cage over the bulb or a recessed light that can't be accessed by an inmate
Worn books or magazines
Photos taped to the walls
Hidden contraband in the form of cigarettes, drugs, bladed weapons, money, syringes, electronics, lighters, food, cutting tools, etc.
Inmates pacing, reading, sleeping, staring at the wall, working out, writing letters, or studying for correspondence course exams
Guards passing through the hall, escorting prisoners elsewhere, and running unannounced room checks

SOUNDS:
Footsteps echoing in the walkways
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SMELLS:
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TASTES:
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TEXTURES AND SENSATIONS:
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POSSIBLE SOURCES OF CONFLICT:
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PEOPLE COMMONLY FOUND IN THIS SETTING:
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SETTING NOTES AND TIPS:
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SETTING DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE:
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TECHNIQUES AND DEVICES USED:
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DESCRIPTIVE EFFECTS:
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