Show Not Tell

"My desk is messy, but I hate cleaning."

Which of the following sentences best shows your meaning instead of just telling it?

• Cleaning is boring, and I don't want to do it.

• I dreamed my desk was clean, but dreams are not reality.

• Will you clean my desk for me?

• I don't want to clean today.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

"His shoes smell bad."

Which of the following sentences best shows your meaning instead of just telling it?

• His shoes smell really terrible.

• I can't stand the smell of his shoes.

• Everyone said his shoes smelled bad.

• His shoes could be used as a lethal weapon.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.5A

CCSS.RL.3.4

"I went to the grocery store."

Which of the following sentences best shows your meaning instead of just telling it?

• I went to the grocery store.

• Ingredient list in hand, I went to the grocery store, excited at all the dinner possibilities.

• Today, I went shopping.

• I needed some groceries, so I went to pick up some.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5

"I like ice cream."

Which of the following sentences best shows your meaning instead of just telling it?

• The thought of eating ice cream makes me drool.

• I eat ice cream every day.

• I really, really love ice cream.

• Ice cream is my favorite food.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.5D

CCSS.L.2.5B

CCSS.L.3.5C

CCSS.L.K.5D

"Everyone knows that the house is haunted."

Which of the following sentences best shows your meaning instead of just telling it?

• My friends and I have never entered the haunted house because we are scared.

• My neighbors said the house was haunted.

• No one dares to enter the old, abandoned house for fear of what may lurk inside.

• I heard there might be ghosts inside that old house.

Tags

CCSS.RL.9-10.5

"She is a very happy person."

Which of the following sentences best shows your meaning instead of just telling it?

• She is always happy.

• Whenever I see her, she has a spring in her step and a smile on her face.

• She is the happiest person I know.

• She makes me really happy because she is always happy.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.3A

CCSS.L.4.3A

CCSS.L.5.3A

CCSS.L.6.3A

CCSS.L.6.3B

"The band played a good concert."

Which of the following sentences best shows your meaning instead of just telling it?

• I really enjoyed the concert.

• It is my favorite band, I loved seeing them live.

• The concert was so good, and everyone seemed to be having a great time.

• The roar of the audience shook the stadium as they sang along to the lyrics.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.5

CCSS.L.5.5

CCSS.L.6.5

CCSS.L.7.5

CCSS.L.8.5