Showing Showing is the writer’s ability to use precise observations, descriptive details, and expressive language to communicate emotion, evoke images, and present evidence.

Telling, not Showing We played football. It was wet. I was cold. We scored a touchdown.

Showing example We had a football game in the rain. We were sliding and falling and getting wet. When I was sliding my feet were moving and my pants were getting wet from the ground…the ball was slippery and the ground was, too. That’s why we were falling and sliding to the touchdown.

Techniques Sensory details Vivid descriptions with strong verbs

Objective Today we will focus on showing and write to a prompt.

Showing Showing is a writer’s ability to use detail or evidence to make a picture in the reader’s head.

Telling The party room looked great.

Showing There were tons of colorful balloons. A table by the wall was filled with cookies, brownies, and a big birthday cake. Someone had even hung up a set of flashing lights. What kind of a party do you think this sounds like?

Showing to demonstrate a unique perspective Each table in the room had a big vase of lowers. All the tablecloths were bright white and the silverware shone with polish. The windows showed a beautiful view of the water.

Your turn! The ice cream sundae looked delicious. How could you tell the sundae would be delicious? What did you notice about the different things your classmates thought make a delicious sundae. How did our showing give the reader a sense of how the sundae looked?

Use showing Raise your hand if you have had a delicious meal at a restaurant. Raise your hand if one of your family members has ever cooked an amazing meal. Prompt: Describe the best meal you have ever tasted. Be sure to show what you had and how it tasted.