Show vs. Tell

The phrase, "show, don't tell" can best be rephrased as:

• "Write long sentences, not short ones."

• "Write descriptively, not directly."

• "Use many adjectives and adverbs, but few nouns and verbs."

• "Hint at truth, but don't explain it."

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

Descriptive language usually includes:

• sensory information

• alliteration and rhyme

• confusing details

• run-on sentences

Tags

CCSS.L.6.6

CCSS.L.8.6

CCSS.W.6.2D

CCSS.W.7.2D

CCSS.W.8.2D

"David Wright hit a home run." How can you best rewrite this sentence in a descriptive way?

• "Wright's bat emitted a thunderous crack as the ball sailed into the far reaches of the left-field seats."

• "Wright swung. His bat met the ball. The ball went over the fence."

• "In the fifth inning, Wright hit his 20th home run, giving him 85 RBI an 72 runs scored on the season."

• "The Mets rallied to victory behind Wright's home run."

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

"Rita was happy when she received an A on her history paper." How can you best rewrite this sentence in a descriptive way?

• "Rita smiled when she got an A on her history paper."

• "All the kids in class were jealous of Rita -- and their mood grew angrier when they saw her smile after acing another assignment."

• "When Rita got her paper back from her teacher, she was happy to see that she'd gotten an A."

• "When Rita saw the bright red 'A' at the top of her paper, her heart leapt with joy."

Tags

CCSS.L.3.3A

CCSS.L.4.3A

CCSS.L.5.3A

CCSS.L.6.3A

CCSS.L.6.3B

When might you want to "tell," and not "show?"

• when you're writing a story

• when you're writing a poem

• when you're writing a cooking recipe

• when you're writing a letter

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

Which of the following sentences "tells," and doesn't "show?"

• The sky was dark that night.

• The sky was black as coal.

• The sky was a sea of darkness.

• The moon and stars were enveloped by foreboding clouds.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

Which of the following sentences "shows," and doesn't "tell?"

• The wind was blowing hard.

• It was windy outside.

• The wind howled eerily.

• The wind blew in from the north.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

How can you show that a person is crying without saying it in those words?

• When she talked about her sister's illness, she was sad.

• She smiled when I entered the room, but I could see that she was crying.

• Her face was blotchy and her eyes were moist.

• I took one look at her and could tell she wasn't happy.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.3A

CCSS.L.4.3A

CCSS.L.5.3A

CCSS.L.6.3A

CCSS.L.6.3B

Which sense does the following sentence appeal to: "My puppy's fur is soft as down, and his body is warm as a July evening."

• sight

• hearing

• smell

• touch

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

How can you say "I'm hungry" using descriptive language?

• I haven't eaten since noon.

• My stomach is growling like a tiger.

• I could really go for a burger and fries right now.

• That food smells great.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4