Scribd
Upload
564 views4 pages

Show Don't Tell Cards

The document provides a list of descriptive phrases that illustrate the concept of 'show, don’t tell' in writing. It categorizes various emotions and states of being into two contrasting groups, emphasizing how to convey feelings through actions and physical descriptions rather than direct statements. This technique enhances storytelling by creating vivid imagery for the reader.

Uploaded by

patcharee
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
564 views4 pages

Show Don't Tell Cards

The document provides a list of descriptive phrases that illustrate the concept of 'show, don’t tell' in writing. It categorizes various emotions and states of being into two contrasting groups, emphasizing how to convey feelings through actions and physical descriptions rather than direct statements. This technique enhances storytelling by creating vivid imagery for the reader.

Uploaded by

patcharee
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Show, Don’t Tell! Show, Don’t Tell!

- Yawning noisily - Trembling with fear


- Dragging body along - Eyes darting around
when walking everywhere
- Drooping or bloodshot - Heart beating fast or
eyes pounding
- Eyelids starting to - Breathing quickly
close - Screaming in panic
- Stretching out arms - Running away

Show, Don’t Tell! Show, Don’t Tell!

- Sobbing or crying - Shouting in surprise


uncontrollably - Jumping up and down
- Tears rolling down - Hands covering mouth
cheeks - Eyes feeling like they
- Speaking quietly are popping out
- Shoulders heaving up - Jaw dropped or mouth
and down wide open
- Head held low - Heart beating fast
Show, Don’t Tell! Show, Don’t Tell!

- Looming shadows in the - Beaming from ear to


distance ear
- Unusual and unfamiliar - Standing tall
sounds - Head held high
- Walls/buildings - Walking or strutting
crumbling down with confidence
- Wind whistling and - High fiving a friend
thunder crashing - Giving a thumbs up
- Towering overhead

Show, Don’t Tell! Show, Don’t Tell!

- Rusting - Looking around with a


- Covered in a thick puzzled expression
layer of dust - Asking lots of
- Cobwebs peppered questions
throughout - Forgetting things
- Quiet and abandoned - Wandering around
with no one to be seen aimlessly
- Creaking and wheezing - Scratching head
sounds - Mumbling to oneself
Show, Don’t Tell! Show, Don’t Tell!

- Eyes twinkling - Red in the face


- Grinning from ear to - Eyes glaring
ear - Sweating
- Laughing or giggling - Clenching or balling
with excitement fists
- Skipping joyfully - Stamping feet
- Jumping up and down - Slamming doors
- Smiling - Breathing heavily

Show, Don’t Tell! Show, Don’t Tell!

- Wearing sunglasses - Pulling coat or scarf


- Dressing in shorts or around more tightly
summer clothes - Wearing lots of layers
- Sweating - Lying under a blanket
- Spending time outdoors - Enjoying a hot drink
- Eating ice-cream - Sitting by the
- Using a fan fireplace
- Sitting outside - Teeth chattering
- Sun beating down - Shivering
Show, Don’t Tell! Show, Don’t Tell!

- Hunched over - Blushing furiously


- Wrinkled face - Avoiding eye contact
- Walking slowly with a with everyone
stick - Beads of sweat on
- Thinning grey hair on forehead
head - Heart racing in chest
- Misplacing items and - Wanting to hide and
acting confused covering face
- Gnarled hands - Clammy hands

You might also like