Beyond Surface-Level

Worksheet Description

The “Show Don’t Tell” worksheet is a visual exercise designed to enhance students’ descriptive writing abilities. It features a series of images depicting characters in various scenarios, and students are prompted to write sentences that ‘show’ what is happening in each picture. Instead of merely stating the obvious, students must use descriptive language to convey the characters’ actions, emotions, and the situation’s context. The exercise challenges students to go beyond surface-level descriptions to create more engaging and illustrative narratives.

The purpose of this worksheet is to teach students how to effectively use descriptive language to bring a story to life. By focusing on ‘showing’ rather than ‘telling,’ students learn to paint a picture with words, allowing readers to infer the details and emotions of a scene. The activity encourages students to pay attention to the subtleties of a character’s expressions and surroundings, and to express these observations in their writing. Ultimately, the worksheet aims to improve students’ storytelling by developing their skills in creating vivid, show-don’t-tell descriptions that engage the reader’s senses and emotions.