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Show, Don't Tell
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Goal Make your writing vivid by showing emotions and settings through details.
TELLING "Ella was scared."
SHOWING "Ella's hands shook as she reached for the door handle. Her heart thudded
so loudly she was sure the whole house could hear it."
HOW TO SHOW
- Actions and body language (shaking hands, a forced smile)
- The five senses (what she hears, smells, feels)
- Dialogue ("Is... is anyone there?")
- Thoughts
SETTINGS use specific details
- Telling: "It was a hot day in town."
- Showing: "Heat shimmered above the road, and the red dust clung to everything --
the parked utes, the shop windows, the back of my neck."
PRACTICE
Rewrite each sentence to SHOW instead of TELL:
- Max was angry.
- The classroom was messy.
- It was a cold morning.
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