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Worksheet Description

The “Show Don’t Tell” worksheet is a writing exercise that helps students practice the art of descriptive writing. It provides two different scenarios: one in which John is embarrassed to admit to his friends that he can’t ride a bicycle, and another where Linda wants to lose weight but her parents won’t allow her to go on a diet. Students are instructed to write a few lines for each scenario, focusing on showing the situation through action, dialogue, and sensory details rather than simply stating the facts. This method encourages students to ‘show’ the reader what’s happening in the scene, rather than ‘telling’ them.

This worksheet is teaching students to enhance their narrative skills by using descriptive elements that allow readers to experience the story rather than just read about it. It encourages the use of active descriptions, character feelings, and reactions to convey the emotions and dynamics of the scene. The exercise also helps students understand the difference between ‘showing’—which creates a vivid picture in the reader’s mind—and ‘telling,’ which merely informs the reader. By practicing this technique, students learn how to write more engaging and immersive stories that capture the complexities of their characters’ experiences.