Show, Don't Tell
What does “show, don’t tell” mean in writing?
Instead of stating something directly, a writer describes it through actions, thoughts, and sensory details.
What sense does visual imagery appeal to?
Sight
What sense does auditory imagery appeal to?
Hearing
What is repetition, and why is it used in persuasive writing?
Repetition is when a word or phrase is used multiple times to emphasise a point and make it more memorable.
What punctuation mark is missing in this sentence? "Its a beautiful day outside."
An apostrophe in "It's."
Rewrite this sentence to show rather than tell: "She was scared."
Example: Her hands trembled as she took a step back, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps.
Identify the sentence that uses visual imagery
a) The cake smelled like vanilla and cinnamon.
b) The sunset painted the sky with streaks of orange, pink, and gold.
Identify the auditory imagery in this sentence: "The leaves rustled as the wind whistled through the trees."
"The leaves rustled" and "the wind whistled." Both describe sounds.
Identify the high modality word in this sentence: "You must act now to save the environment!"
Must
Which sentence uses correct punctuation?
A
Why is showing more effective than telling in a story?
It makes writing more engaging, helps readers visualise the scene, and creates a stronger emotional connection.
Rewrite this sentence using visual imagery: "The room was messy."
Clothes were strewn across the floor, crumpled papers covered the desk, and a half-eaten sandwich sat on the bed.
Fill in the blank with a sound-related word: "The old wooden door ______ as it slowly opened."
Possible Answer: Creaked.
What is inclusive language, and how does it persuade an audience?
Inclusive language uses words like "we," "our," and "us" to make the audience feel involved and united in the argument.
What is wrong with this sentence? "The dog chased it’s tail in circles."
"It’s" should be "its" because "its" is possessive.
Identify the “telling” sentence:
a) The icy wind cut through her coat, sending a shiver down her spine.
b) He was extremely nervous before his speech.
c) Sweat trickled down his forehead as he clenched his fists, his jaw tightening.
d) The old wooden floor groaned under his hesitant footsteps.
(Answer: b) He was extremely nervous before his speech.
Name one literary technique that helps create strong visual imagery
Simile, metaphor, personification, or descriptive adjectives.
What is onomatopoeia, and how does it relate to auditory imagery?
Onomatopoeia is when a word imitates a sound, like "buzz" or "bang," helping to create auditory imagery.
Choose the most emotive sentence:
a) Donating to charity is a good way to help those in need.
b) Many families experience financial hardship and require assistance.
c) Without your help, thousands of helpless children will go to bed starving tonight, their cries of hunger unheard.
d) Some charities rely on public donations to continue their work.
(C)
Add a comma where necessary: "Before the storm arrived the sky turned dark and the wind howled."
Before the storm arrived, the sky turned dark, and the wind howled.
Rewrite the following “telling” sentence into “showing”: "He was nervous before the test."
He tapped his pencil against the desk, his leg bouncing up and down as he stared at the test paper.
Create a sentence that uses visual imagery to describe a stormy night.
Lightning split the sky, illuminating the dark clouds, while rain hammered against the windows like an angry drumbeat.
Write a sentence that uses auditory imagery to describe a crowded marketplace.
Possible Answer: Vendors shouted their prices, the clinking of coins echoed between stalls, and laughter mixed with the distant sound of a street musician’s violin.
Write a persuasive sentence using all four techniques: repetition, high modality, inclusive language, and emotive language.
"We must take action now—our planet is dying, our future is at risk, and together, we can make a difference!"
Identify the correctly punctuated sentence.
a) We went to the movies, but we arrived late.
b) We went to the movies but, we arrived late.
c) We went, to the movies but we arrived late.
d) We went to the movies but we arrived, late.
A