Show Not Tell / Don’t Stop the Story
Encourage students to give clues about how the character feels, rather than naming the feelings. This gives the reader a more authentic picture in their head. Watching film clips and noticing the behaviours associated with particular feelings is a useful strategy, as is drama. Remind them not to ‘stop the story’ to tell the reader how the character feels. In other words, using Show Not Tell (SNT) prevents them from stopping the story.1233
Example Obj to compose a diary paragraph, which creates a picture in the reader’s head.
Prepared text for modelling:
Key:
- Adverbs give clues about the character’s feelings
- Showing not telling that the character is scared
- Write up in advance of the lesson
- Write in front of the students.
15th October 1939
Dear Diary,
I sat next to Katy on the train, silently counting the chimneys until their absence signalled our departure from London. When we finally arrived at our destination, I reluctantly hauled my navy case down from the luggage rack. There must have been two hundred apprehensive students on that train. I scanned the crowd for a familiar face, to no avail. A pretty lady wearing an unusual hat shook Katy’s hand warmly. My heart gave a start on realising I was alone on the crowded platform.
We hope you have found this free content useful. Contact The Writing Web for bespoke writing CPD.
Example Obj to compose a diary paragraph, which creates a picture in the reader’s head.
Prepared text for modelling:
Key:
- Adverbs give clues about the character’s feelings
- Showing not telling that the character is scared
- Write up in advance of the lesson
- Write in front of the students.
15th October 1939
Dear Diary,
I sat next to Katy on the train, silently counting the chimneys until their absence signalled our departure from London. When we finally arrived at our destination, I reluctantly hauled my navy case down from the luggage rack. There must have been two hundred apprehensive students on that train. I scanned the crowd for a familiar face, to no avail. A pretty lady wearing an unusual hat shook Katy’s hand warmly. My heart gave a start on realising I was alone on the crowded platform.
We hope you have found this free content useful. Contact The Writing Web for bespoke writing CPD.
