Imagery “Showing vs. Telling”

Imagery Creates a picture in a reader’s mind Descriptive language that appeals to all 5 senses: Touch, Smell, Taste, Sight, and Hearing Specific Action: describes exactly what’s happening and allows the reader to see the action. Dialogue: use words that reveal a character

Showing vs. Telling “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” Showing: creates images in a readers imagination ◦ Descriptive language, sensory details ◦ Similes, comparisons, allusions, etc. Telling: states emotions and actions. ◦ It’s almost too obvious and… ◦ BORING!

Practice Find 3 examples (cite the pages) of imagery in On Writing using pages ◦ For each example, answer the following:  What do these descriptions do for you as a reader? How are you affected? (3-4 sentences)

Questions Answer the following on a piece of notebook paper (you can use the same paper as your 3 examples). ◦ Why is imagery in writing important/useful? How does it enhance the text? ◦ As a reader, how does imagery affect your reading experience? ◦ Explain the meaning of “Show don’t Tell.” Why is it essential in writing?

Show don’t Tell Write a description for the image using 3- 6 sentences.

Show don’t Tell (cont.)