English: 📚"Show, Don’t Tell" Made Simple:

Help your reader see the picture in their mind.

When you write descriptive stories, remember to "show, don't tell." This means using details to help readers imagine what’s happening, instead of just saying it.

For example:

• Telling: The dog was happy.

• Showing: The dog wagged its tail so fast it looked like a blur, and it jumped up to lick my face.

See the difference? Showing makes your writing come alive! 😊

Show, Don’t Tell

"Show, Don’t Tell" Made Simple:

1. Start with a Basic Sentence (The "Tell")
Think of a sentence that just states a fact or feeling.
Example: "She was nervous."

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2. Ask Yourself These Questions:
To turn this into "showing," answer these questions:

• What would this look like?

• How would someone act or react?

• What sounds, smells, or feelings might be involved?

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3. Add Sensory Details (The "Show")
Use sensory details (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell) to describe the situation.
Example:

• Her hands trembled as she clutched the paper, a bead of sweat sliding down her temple. The muffled whispers of the audience made her stomach churn.

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4. Use Actions and Reactions
Describe what the character does instead of simply telling how they feel.
Example:

• She glanced at the clock every few seconds, biting her lip until it turned pale.

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5. Include Dialogue or Internal Thoughts
Dialogue and thoughts can show emotions or situations naturally.
Example:

• “What if I mess up? Everyone’s watching,” she thought, her heart thumping like a drum.

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6. Combine Details for Impact
Put the elements together to create a vivid picture.
Original "Tell": "She was nervous."
"Show" Version:

• Her hands shook as she clutched the paper. “What if I mess up?” she whispered under her breath. The murmurs of the audience grew louder in her ears, making her stomach churn.

Here are some questions to help practice "show, don't tell" in writing:

1. How would you show someone is happy without saying the word "happy"?

   • Think about their face, actions, or voice.

2. How can you show that it’s a cold winter day without saying "cold"?

   • Describe what people are wearing, what they see, or how they feel.

3. How can you show that a character is scared without saying "scared"?

   • Focus on their body language, heart, or breathing.

4. How would you describe a messy room without saying "messy"?

   • What objects are out of place? What does it look or smell like?

5. How can you show that someone is angry without saying "angry"?

   • Describe their facial expressions, voice, or actions.

Use sensory details like sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste to bring their ideas to life!