Filter Phrases

Dictionary of Craft: Filter Phrases

What is a filter phrase?

A filter phrase is a phrase that draws attention to the ‘filter’, the point of view through which we’re experiencing a scene.

Example:

With filter: I wondered what a filter phrase was.

Without filter: What is a filter phrase?

What is the Impact of Using More or Less Filter Phrases?

With more filter:

Elaine knew that everyone would blame her when they heard what had happened, but she also knew she had no choice but to be honest.

With less filter:

Everyone would blame her when they heard what had happened, but sha had no choice but to be honest.

As you can see from these examples, neither is wrong, but the tone of the two sentences is different.

In the more filtered version, there’s a sense of Elaine intellectually recognising the trap she is in; of her realisation that she has no choice but to face the consequences.

In the less filtered version, there’s more of a sense of Elaine experiencing emotional anticipation of being shamed. For me, it feels more like experiencing mild dread, rather than weighing your options, as in the first. It’s very subtle! However, if sentence after sentence uses these filter phrases, the effect would be more pronounced, the psychic distance more tangible.

As an author, you need to decide which paintbrush you want to use, what effect you want to create at this particular moment in the story, to use more filter phrases or less.

Summary of the impact of filter phrases on a reader

Filter phrases subtly increase a reader’s sense of narrative or psychic distance -in other words, the extent to which they feel they are ‘one’ with a character.

Of course, there may be times when you want to create this distance, when you want to give a sense of objectivity, satire, or irony.

There may be times when, for clarity, a quick ‘she thought’ or ‘Elaine knew’ will aid the reader in following what is happening.

However, if you are hoping to immerse a reader in a dramatic experience it can be very effective to reduce your use of filter words.

Integrate

In the first draft, it can be best not to overthink these things. Perhaps reading this post and then forgetting about it will be enough to help you make more nuanced choices as you draft without becoming too self-conscious. But as you edit, becoming more intentional about your handling of psychic distance by editing filter words to modulate it can tighten up your prose.

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