show-don’t tell “the bigger the issue, the smaller you write. remember that. you don ’ t write...
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Show-Don’t Tell
“The bigger the issue, the smaller you write. Remember that. You don’t write about war. No. You write about a kid’s burnt socks lying on the
ground. You pick the smallest manageable part of the big thing, and you work off the resonance.”
-Richard Price
“Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”
–Chekhov
Show-Don’t Tell
How to SHOW, not TELL1. Create a visual for the reader2. Focus on the 5 senses3. Make comparisons4. Use strong adjectives
Show-Don’t Tell
Sample : We were anxiously waiting for the news of my father’s test results.
Face- The crease in the middle of my mother’s forehead showed the cumulative worry of a long life lived.
Body- I couldn’t help the tremble of my upper body.
Voice- As he answered the phone, the tremble in his voice was apparent.
Scene- My family wore paths in the carpet with their pacing.
Observation- It felt like an out of body experience and I was hovering, weightless over my living room.
Comparison- Time wore on as if Earth’s own rotation clicked forward like the slow hand of a clock.
Show-Don’t Tell
Practice : We waited at the hospital for 5 hours.
Show Time
Show Appearance
Show Scene
Compare
Show-Don’t Tell
Activity:You will be given a topic, scene,
emotion, etc.
Draft a phrase that shows, not tells an audience about it.
Every 30 seconds….we switch.
Show-Don’t Tell
Worry
Show-Don’t Tell
Nervousness
Show-Don’t Tell
Embarrassement
Show-Don’t Tell
Anger
Show-Don’t Tell
Happy
Show-Don’t Tell
Worry
Show-Don’t Tell
Worry
Show-Don’t Tell
Worry
Show-Don’t Tell
Hot
Show-Don’t Tell
Shocked
Show-Don’t Tell
Tired
Show-Don’t Tell
Cold
Show-Don’t Tell
Excited
Show-Don’t Tell
Hunger
Show-Don’t Tell
Shy
Show-Don’t Tell
Teenager
Show-Don’t Tell
Child
Show-Don’t Tell
Beautiful day
Show-Don’t Tell
Winter
Show-Don’t Tell
Summer
Show-Don’t Tell
City life
Show-Don’t Tell
At school
Show-Don’t Tell
At home
Show-Don’t Tell
Death
Show-Don’t Tell
Birth
Show-Don’t Tell
Pets
Show-Don’t Tell
First date
Show-Don’t Tell
School dance
Show-Don’t Tell
Classroom
Show-Don’t Tell
First F on a test
Show-Don’t Tell
Cell phone (new, dies, rings, etc.)
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