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    Show Don't Tell Worksheet

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    The document provides guidance on how to "show, don't tell" when writing by using specific techniques like details, senses, dialogue, and actions/behaviors rather than vague descriptions. It gives examples of rewriting passages to show emotions, characters, settings/moods by using these techniques rather than telling. Exercises are provided for the reader to practice rewriting snippets in a more showing rather than telling way.

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    Show Don't Tell Worksheet

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    classic movies
    282 views5 pages
    The document provides guidance on how to "show, don't tell" when writing by using specific techniques like details, senses, dialogue, and actions/behaviors rather than vague descriptions. It gives examples of rewriting passages to show emotions, characters, settings/moods by using these techniques rather than telling. Exercises are provided for the reader to practice rewriting snippets in a more showing rather than telling way.

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    Show Don't Tell Worksheet Ridethepen.com

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    The document provides guidance on how to "show, don't tell" when writing by using specific techniques like details, senses, dialogue, and actions/behaviors rather than vague descriptions. It gives examples of rewriting passages to show emotions, characters, settings/moods by using these techniques rather than telling. Exercises are provided for the reader to practice rewriting snippets in a more showing rather than telling way.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    282 views5 pages

    Show Don't Tell Worksheet

    Uploaded by

    classic movies
    The document provides guidance on how to "show, don't tell" when writing by using specific techniques like details, senses, dialogue, and actions/behaviors rather than vague descriptions. It gives examples of rewriting passages to show emotions, characters, settings/moods by using these techniques rather than telling. Exercises are provided for the reader to practice rewriting snippets in a more showing rather than telling way.

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    At a glance
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    The passage discusses techniques for showing details instead of simply stating them, such as using senses, dialogue, and descriptive language.

    Some tips for showing instead of telling include using details, signs, nouns and verbs, senses, dialogue, and being careful with dialogue tags.

    Dialogue can be used to show instead of tell by reflecting what's happening in the scene moment-by-moment through what the characters say and how they say it, rather than through tags from the author.

    The Handy ‘Show, Don’t Tell‘

    Worksheet
    www.ridethepen.com/show-dont-tell/

    If you wonder how you can show something, always ask yourself:
    How do I notice she is quick/he is happy/it is big…?

    1. Use Details
    No: It was a spooky house. Yes: The house had dark windows,
    shattered lanterns, a doorway covered in cobwebs, and an overgrown
    path leading up to it.
    2. Signs You are Telling
    Adjectives (big, old, high…) and any form of the word “to be.” E.g. “she
    was beautiful, he was impatient…”
    3. Use Nouns and Verbs
    Nouns and verbs force you to describe.
    No: He was a grumpy man (adjective). Yes: He rarely talked, and when
    he saw the kids playing, he just let out a grunt.
    4. Use Senses
    No: It was a lush garden. Yes: It was a garden with wild red and orange
    flowers, and a thick, sweet smell.
    5. Dialogue Lines are Always Showing
    That’s because they are reflecting what’s happening in the scene,
    moment-by-moment; it’s the character talking, not the author.
    6. Be Careful with Dialogue Tags; They Often Tell
    It is better to express the way a character is talking with the dialogue line
    and with body language; No: …she said jokingly. Yes: …she laughed
    and slapped his arm.
    Examples
    A. Show, don’t tell descriptions
    Don’t do it like this: Tessa was a lovely lady.
    Do it like this: In came Tessa. She nodded politely in all directions, and
    it seemed like she acknowledged every single person with a warm smile,
    directed at them personally.

    B. Show, don’t tell emotions


    Don’t do it like this: Roger was bored.
    Do it like this: Roger’s foot was tapping a steady rhythm onto the
    ground, and later he started doodling on a sheet of paper. It seemed to
    him like the hour would never pass.

    C. Show, don’t tell activities


    Don’t do it like this: Henrietta ate a lot that day.
    Do it like this: That day, Henrietta ate chicken with vegetable risotto, a
    huge bowl of mixed salad, fries, and three slices of that chocolate biscuit
    cake she just couldn’t resist.

    D. Show, don’t tell setting/mood


    Don’t do it like this: The waterfall looked majestic.
    Do it like this: The waterfall was 300 feet/100 meters high, and the
    cascade dropped down from the sharp cliff with roaring thunder.
    ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ Exercises

    The following snippets are telling the reader in an ugly way. Re-write
    them, so they show instead:

    The tour guide looked trustworthy.


    Mandy was a frail girl.
    Charley looked like a violent guy.
    Harry was clumsy.

    The inside of the bus was very comfortable.


    It was a big, shabby dog.
    The pajamas were cheesy.

    Michael felt intimidated. All the other guests seemed to know each other.
    Andy felt tired after playing soccer for two hours.

    Ryan went to complain at the register.


    Adrian tiptoed around the house to not wake anybody up.
    Laura dived deep into the water.

    The mansion looked uninhabited.


    The lake was peaceful.
    The hospital was hectic.
    Mini-scenes:
    Rita was a math teacher. She always made the lessons fun for the kids.
    When she taught, the kids were actually interested in learning math.

    Mark was a backpacker, and it was his first time in Paris. He was excited
    when he stepped up the many steps to the top of the Eiffel Tower. The
    view up there was breathtaking.

    The restaurant was really crowded. Uncle Albert and Aunt Jeanny had
    been waiting for a table for twenty minutes, and were starting to get
    impatient. It was a really upscale restaurant.

    Have fun!
    And if you want, send me your exercise to alex@ridethepen.com

    © 2017, Ridethepen.com
    Yay! :)

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