The First Rule of Writing

What is Show, Don’t Tell?

The Show, Don’t Tell method of writing is when the writer is able to create a picture in the reader's mind, to get away from the repetition of such empty words like went, big, or said.

Brain PopShow, Don’t Tell http://www.brainpop.com/english/writing/shownottell/

Which is better?a. My teeth chattered as I blew warm breath

on my numb fingers.b. I am cold.

Which is better?a. I missed the bus.b. I raced down the road, wildly waving my

hands, and yelling, “Stop, stop,” but the bus traveled on down the road without stopping.

Which is better?

a. Papers overflowed my cramped desk as I rummaged for the pencil I knew was buried somewhere inside its dark depths.

b. My desk is a mess.

Which is better?This . . . As graceful as any queen, with her

head high in the air, and her long red tail arched in a perfect rainbow, my little dog walked down the table. With her warm gray eyes staring straight at me, on she came. Walking up to me, she laid her head on my shoulder. As I put my arms around her, the crowd exploded.

Or This? Little Ann walked across the table towards

Billy. She did a good job, and the men cheered.

Now let’s practice by writing our own paragraph with me.

What are some things that happen to your body and mind when it is hot outside?

Face gets redBody sweatsHave a short temperSunburn Sticky skin The sun gets in your eyes

Showing: It is hot outside.

Telling:

Showing: It is hot outside.

Telling: The sun cooked my skin as I angrily wiped the sweat that dripped into my eyes. Sweat trickled down my back and dampened my t-shirt. My throat was raspy and ached for water.

Now, Use the worksheet to write your own.

Additional Resources Toni Buzzeo http://www.tonibuzzeo.com/show_dont_tell.pdf What If? http://www.bookhooks.com/showdonttell.pdf ALLAN HANCOCK COLLEGE WRITING CENTER Show, Don’t Tell: Specific

Examples and Concrete Details http://www.hancockcollege.edu/owl/pdf/Other%20Handouts/Show,%20

don't%20tell%20.pdf Show, Don’t Tell http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/65745/showdonttell.pdf Really Good Stuff http://www.reallygoodstuff.com/pdfs/157881.pdf Show Don’t Tell http://www.cyber-spy.com/ebooks/ebooks/Show-Dont-

Tell-(ebook).pdf Writers Workshop #1 Show, Don’t Tell: Okay, But How Do You Do It?

http://www.deborahdavisauthor.com/workshops/workshop-1.pdf Handout: Show, Don’t Tell

http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/lausd/offices/itd/cti/middle_school/m_pc/lesson_plans/lp_word/lp_w_la_growup/dwkh1_d_edit.pdf

Developing Elaboration with showing sentences. Show, Don't Tell http://www.myenglishlanguagecorner.com/writing/34%20Show%20don't%20tell%20me%20Writing%20Packet%20A.pdf