The Power of Showing versus Telling Showing vs

The Power of “Showing” versus “Telling”

Showing vs. Telling • "Telling" communicates facts • TELLING: All the kids knew that Lucinda was the meanest kid in the third grade. She was prissy and cute; she wore bows in her hair and shiny black shoes, and she thought that meant she could get away with anything. She never exactly scared me -- but for some reason she would always go out of her way to torment me. I wasn't one of the "cool" kids, and the few kids I knew were just the guys I played chess with during recess -- they weren't really friends. Plus, I was clumsy. So I was a good target. I was so miserable and lonely, I could hardly face going to class each day. That little girl made my life a living hell.

• "Showing" invites understanding and paints a picture in the reader’s head • When she saw me, she stopped; her ponytail bobbed threateningly, and her eyes tracked me across the cafeteria. When the recess bell rang, I clutched my chess set and dashed to freedom, eager to win the daily tournament of outcasts. Of course, I tripped in front of the whole class. Tennis shoes and sandals stepped around me and over me as I scrambled after pawns and bishops. And there was Lucinda, waiting for me to notice her; she smiled, lifted her shiny patent-leather shoe, and slowly, carefully ground my white queen into the pavement.

Important Note • "Showing" involves more than a long list of adjectives. • Sometimes students misinterpret what I mean by "showing. " They put all kinds of adjectives in their writing, regardless of whether such details actually advance the story. • Instead, you should pick out only those details that matter. • Showing focuses on creating a mood, instead of rattling off any detail. This is called a dominant impression

How to know if you are SHOWING • Does the detail help establish or intensify the mood? – The ominous clouds crept in like snakes following their prey. • Does it define a character? – Her big blue eyes remained fixated, as she stared dreamily at her crush. • Does it clarify an action? – He bounded quickly at his opponent, intent on breaking every bone in his body.

Dominant Impression • The DOMINANT IMPRESSION of a piece is the feeling that you are trying to convey in a piece of writing. – Usually, this impression can be summed-up in one word. – For example, if the essay is a description of your kid sister, you might make your dominant impression about how resilient and strong she is, and the reader will keep this in mind as you describe everything else about your sister.

Directions • Choose three out of the eight images: – Write a dominant impression (1 -2 words). – Write/Choose specific details from the picture that help to support that dominant impression. Use SHOWING details.

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Next step: Turning a dominant impression into a SHOWING description • Choose one of the pictures. • You have already chosen a dominant impression and listed details that supported it. • Write a paragraph that describes the picture using SHOWING statements and focuses on your dominant impression. • Remember, SHOWING paints a picture in someone’s head!

Reflection • What is the difference between “telling” about a scene and “showing” a scene? • What is the benefit of showing versus telling?