Show, Don't Tell!
In student paper after paper, teachers comment "be specific," "use details," What do you mean?" Instead of expecting that magical connection "to show" we need to train kids to use specific imagery, to master the art of showing with words. Showing (not telling) exercises are used almost daily, practicing movement from a telling sentence (general) to a showing paragraph (specific.)
When defining showing (not telling), use lots and lots of examples, both from published authors and student writings.
Example:
Telling: The roller coaster was the scariest ride at the fair.
Showing: As I stood in line, I gazed up at the gigantic steel tracks that looped around three times. The thunderous roar of the roller coaster sounded like a thundercloud that had sunk into my ears and suddenly exploded. The wild screams of terror shot through me like a bolt of lightning and made my fingers tingle with fear….(she goes on to describe the ride itself …)
Give students lists that contain both showing and telling sentences, and have them pick out the telling statements and talk about how to make them into showing. Brainstorming will be very helpful here.
Once students grasp the idea of showing (not telling), you can ask them to identify telling sentences while helping friends edit their papers and suggest ways for showing (lot telling.) You can also expand the idea by asking them to show in a specific manner: limit them to using details from only the setting, clothing, personal possessions, dialogue, etc. For example, give them the telling sentence, "He/she was a slob" and limit description to the setting.
A "showing (not telling)" composition book is the easiest way to manage the exercises on a regular basis.
Some examples of telling sentences you can use:
He/she is weird.
The party was great.
I was embarrassed.
Recess was fun.,
She/he is the nicest person I know.
My parents were angry.
He/she is a reckless driver.
She was a slob.
The park was beautiful.
It is my favorite movie.
She told a sad story.
My father told me to stay home.
The puppy ran out the door.
The boy said he was not happy about the game.
He saw a car go around the corner fast.
Give your story LIFE with DETAILS ………… Please!
Mary had a new puppy. One day the door was left open and the puppy ran outside. Soon he was lost and Mary tried to find him. After three days the puppy was found. He was scared, hungry and sad.
John was working in his father's store alone one afternoon. There were no customers and John was doing the late chores of the day. The door opened and a robber walked in. He told John to give all the money in the store to him. John was frightened. He remembered what his father had told him. He tried to run to the phone. The robber grabbed him .…..