One way in which writers show instead of tell about characters is by moving between dialogue, action and inner thinking. Let me talk!

Good writers combine words (Spoken and/ or thought) with actions in order to paint a fuller picture Imagine this: The teacher stands in front of the room, one hand on her hips and the other waving furiously at the end of her arm while she screams, “It’s time to put your notebooks away and pay attention!!!”

What do you think about the teacher’s words and actions? Actions speak louder than words Actions speak as loud as words Words and actions compliment each other

Now imagine this next scene The teacher stands at the front of the room with her arms at her side and a smile on her face, while calmly stating, “It’s time to put your notebooks away and give me your attention class.”

What do the words and actions say about the two teachers? Which teacher is calm and patient? Which teacher is hasty and flustered? Note: Though the words are the same, what each teacher is doing changes the meaning and tone of the moment.

When characters talk and act, readers can really get to know them. But how can characters talk in your story? How can you make words and actions come alive in your notebook?

Dialogue We use dialogue in stories to report direct speech. We use dialogue to show exactly what the character is saying We place the character’s speech in inverted commas to signal that they are speaking. We put their actions, gestures or thoughts outside the inverted commas to compliment the speech.

Let’s look at an example “Why did I want to get my ears pierced,” I thought to myself. I grasped my mommy’s hand and said, “Mommy it hurts so much.” “I know it hurts but only for a second,” my mommy said. Then she squeezed my hand. “You’re right,” I said. “I know how it feels, I got my ears pierced when I was a kid,” my mommy said. Then I know if mommy could do it then so could I. So I sat up nice and tall and crossed my hands in my lap and waited for the lady to pierce my other ear. “Ouch,” I said. Then I remembered that my mommy said it only hurts for a second.

What do you think? Ashley could have simply told us about the characters and events in this scene. She could have written: I was nervous about getting my ears pierced. My mommy told me it would be okay. It hurt when the lady pierced my ear.

Ashley used dialogue and action to show the character’s thoughts, words and actions. She wrote what the character said with what the character does.

Lets look at another example “Hey, John, you want to see my new puppy?” Erma asked, smiling. “No.” John glowered. “I'm busy.” Erma gasped. “I can't believe you're still trying to write that down.” “Well, I am,” he said with a sneer, “so quit your yapping.” “That's not me,” she replied, “that's my new puppy.” And she walked away, sulking.

Lets look at the characters What type of character is John? Hint We know that by his words and actions What type of character is Erma?

Notice the type of verbs we can use to show action after the dialogue. Instead of using said... You can use words like: added Continued Encouraged Giggled Hesitated Screamed Moaned Objected Echoed Growled Gasped Remarked Muttered

Now you continue the conversation between John and Irma..... Maybe you can let John call back Irma and say something to her.

Now lets practice together Lets start a story about when Erma went to the park to play baseball. We will use action, dialogue and inner thinking to SHOW readers about the characters in the story. Hmmmmm Our first sentence could be... Mr. Hall threw the ball across the field.