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Show Dont Tell

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94 views2 pages

Show Dont Tell

Uploaded by

Mai - Patcharee Rush
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Show, Don’t Tell

by Toni Buzzeo
www.tonibuzzeo.com

“Show, Don’t Tell” Worksheet #2 “Show, Don’t Tell” Worksheet #3

One of the most important skills of a writer is the ability to SHOW how a 1. List three verbs that SHOW the feeling of anger.
character is feeling without TELLING the reader. Without saying, “He was mad,”
you can effectively tell the reader about his anger by focusing on how he looks,
what he’s doing, what he’s saying, and how he’s saying it.

Use one or two complete sentences to SHOW that your character is:
2. List three verbs that SHOW the feeling of joy.
1. Sad ________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________

__ 3. Write one line of DIALOGUE (something a character says) that SHOWS


that a character is feeling tired. (You may not say, “I’m tired.” Remember,
2. Happy _____________________________________
SHOW, don’t TELL.)
__________________________________________
__________________________________________
__________________________________________

4. Write one line of dialogue that SHOWS that a character is excited.


3. Angry ______________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________

5. Characters not only show their feelings in DIALOGUE, but also in ACTIONS.
4. Embarrassed___________________________________ Write a sentence in which a character SHOWS fear through ACTIONS.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
______________________________________________
“Show, Don’t Tell” Worksheet #4 “Show, Don’t Tell”
Adding Details to a Scene
Authors use the “Show, don’t tell” rule to SHOW a character trait (such as
shyness, kindness, loyalty, etc.) just as they do to show a feeling.
You can add details to a scene with the “Show, don’t tell” technique. SHOW what
the scene looks like, rather than TELLING.
This example TELLS the reader that a character is kind: Kelley is kind.
This example SHOWS the reader that a character is kind: Kelley left her place
Choose one of the TELLING sentences below and use it as a springboard to write
at the front of the line and walked over to her librarian, Mr. Finch. “Here,” she
a short, detailed paragraph that SHOWS the scene.
said. “Let me help you carry those heavy encyclopedias.”

1. The line of students was crooked.


Choose three of the character traits listed below. Write a sentence (or two)
2. Marcia’s desk was a mess.
SHOWING that trait. Use a line of dialogue or an action – or both!
3. The monster movie was scary.
4. Fred wasn’t a very good artist.
Mean Helpful Smart Messy Friendly Hard-working 5. The substitute teacher dressed weirdly.
Bossy Rude Neat Honest Lazy Polite 6. The house appeared to be haunted.

Character trait #1:___________________ _____________________________________________________________


Sentence showing character trait #1:
_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
Character trait #2:___________________
Sentence showing character trait #2:
_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________
Character trait #3:____________________
Sentence showing character trait #3: _____________________________________________________________

©2006 Toni Buzzeo

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