‘Show, don’t tell’ is a way of writing that allows the reader to experience the story through actions, words, thoughts, senses and feelings. ‘Show, don’t tell’ is a popular technique because it allows readers to make up their own mind about a character, story or situation – and it avoids telling readers how to think, feel and react.
2. This author of Lord of the Rings uses a lot of ‘show, don’t tell’. A good example can be seen in the opening paragraph: Jack was bent double. He was down like a sprinter, his nose only a few inches from the humid earth … He lowered his chin and stared at the traces as though he would force them to speak to him. Then dog-like, uncomfortably on all fours yet unheeding his discomfort, he stole forward five yards and stopped. Can you explain what the writer is showing you about Jack in this extract?
COMMUNICATION MANAGING MYSELF
3. Find another sentence(s) in the extract that shows you what a character is doing, thinking or feeling, rather than tells you. Share your selection with others in the class. LITERACY
Create
BEING CREATIVE
Write three ‘show, don’t tell’ sentences for three of the following scenarios: v Someone looking for their keys before leaving the house. v Someone waiting for a bus. v Someone stuck talking to a person they really don’t like at a party. v Someone watching their friend win a race. v Someone hurrying through an airport.
MANAGING INFORMATION AND THINKING WORKING WITH OTHERS NUMERACY STAYING WELL 12
