Show Not Tell
Week 8
Describe being on the hydroslide so that your readers figure out what you are doing without saying you are on the hydroslide.
Possible Vocab
swirling water flowing twisting and turning tunnel propelled zooming sliding rapidly
or
Describe playing table tennis so that your readers know what you are doing without telling them you are playing table tennis.
careful aim serve return shot overshot the table raleigh
Week 4
He/She ran and twisted her/his ankle
Week 3
She/He was upset.
Try to write a paragraph of 3-4 sentences that shows someone is upset, without using the words upset or sad (or any other similar adjective that is still just telling. - Try to show that they are upset. Think about what they are doing/what body movements that would show that they are upset. i.e. eyes, feet, lips, hands etc.
Example
A good writer can convey many details by inferring them rather than stating them directly- in other words showing not telling.
Each week you will be practising this skill. Here are some examples.
BEFORE (TELLING): "You are such a jerk," he said angrily.
First off, you should never modify "said" with an adverb. Second, keep adverb use to a minimum. It's far better to SHOW he was angry:
AFTER (SHOWING): "You are such a jerk." Dan slammed the phone book shut and threw it at the couch. He got to his feet, moving so fast his chair skidded against the floor and dented the wall.
Do you see the details in the second example? Nowhere did I use the word "angrily" or even "angry." I didn't have to say he was mad. It's pretty clear. In fact, I didn't even have to say he said the words. By showing with his actions right after his dialogue, you know it's him talking.
http://foremostpress.com/authors/articles/show_not_tell.html (slightly revised)
Week 2
It was cold at the beach
Try to write a paragraph that shows it was cold at the beach, without using the words beach or cold (don't just switch the word cold to another adjective such as freezing as that is still just telling. - Try to show that you are cold. Think about how you are feeling/what you are doing/what you see/hear/feel to help show this.