Simple and Direct:
* "Ha!" - Short and sharp for a quick, almost nervous laugh.
* "He chuckled." - A softer, more restrained laugh.
* "She laughed." - A neutral, general laugh.
Descriptive:
* "He let out a loud, booming laugh that echoed through the room." - Vivid and impactful.
* "She giggled like a schoolgirl, her eyes sparkling with delight." - Emphasizes a specific kind of laughter.
* "He snickered under his breath, a sly grin on his face." - Conveys a more mischievous or secretive laugh.
Using Onomatopoeia:
* "He let out a 'ha ha ha' that shook the walls." - Creates a more playful and informal tone.
* "Her laughter was a soft, melodic 'hee hee hee.'" - Emphasizes a gentle, lighthearted laugh.
Through Dialogue:
* "That's hilarious!" she exclaimed, her laughter bubbling over." - Shows the character's reaction to something funny.
* "You're kidding, right?" he asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice, but he was already laughing." - Builds tension and anticipation.
Other Techniques:
* "His laughter was like a waterfall, cascading down and washing away all the tension." - Uses metaphor to convey the intensity of the laugh.
* "The sound of her laughter was as sweet as the birdsong." - Employs simile to evoke a particular feeling.
Remember to consider:
* The character's personality: A serious character will laugh differently than a bubbly one.
* The context of the scene: A nervous laugh in a tense situation will be different from a joyous laugh at a party.
* The tone of your story: A humorous story might use more playful or exaggerated expressions of laughter than a serious one.
By carefully choosing the right words and techniques, you can create a truly compelling and believable depiction of laughter in your writing.