ADDING VOICE TO YOUR WRITING

HOW CAN WE "SHOW, NOT TELL" IN WRITING?

This week's writing focus...
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/show-dont-tell-whiteboard-writing-lesson

Writing Selection 1
http://teacher.scholastic.com/resources/whiteboards/activities/Show_Dont-Tell-1.jpg

Writing Selection 2
http://teacher.scholastic.com/resources/whiteboards/activities/Show_Dont-Tell-2.jpg

Discussion Points

Which piece is better? Why? 

• Did the writer give us the exact words spoken or thought?
• Did the author tell us how the narrator’s body reacted to different feelings?
• Did the author use active verb s and pint pictures of what the narrator does?
• Did the author use any specific words for sounds?

Show, Don’t Tell: An Overview of the Craft Element

1. Use active verbs to show what’s happening. (called, stepped, hung, though, swung, raised, pulled, watched, dropped, ran)

2. Use the exact words a character spoke (“Strike two!” the umpire called.)

3. Show the feelings of a character by what he does. (hung his head, heartbeat throbbing in my ears)

4. Paint pictures with specific words or groups of words. (I raised the bat over my shoulder and waiting, I dropped the bat and ran and ran and ran, first base.)