Show, Don't Tell: A Simple Writing Technique Every Child Can Learn

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Imagine reading these two sentences.

Tom was scared.

Now compare it with this.

Tom's hands trembled as he took a step backwards. His heart pounded against his chest, and he glanced nervously over his shoulder.

Which one paints a clearer picture?

The second one.

That's the power of Show, Don't Tell.

Instead of simply telling the reader what happened, great writers help the reader see, hear and feel the story. It's one of the simplest ways to make any composition more engaging.

What Does "Show, Don't Tell" Mean?

"Telling" gives information. Showing creates an experience.

Instead of writing:

Sarah was excited.

You could write:

Sarah bounced up and down, unable to stop smiling as she waved the letter above her head.

The reader now feels Sarah's excitement without being told directly.

Why Is This Important?

Good compositions aren't remembered because they use difficult words.

They're remembered because they help the reader imagine what's happening. Showing helps children:

• create stronger mental images
• make stories more engaging
• describe emotions naturally
• avoid repetitive writing
• develop confidence as storytellers

Show vs Tell Examples

A Simple Formula

Children often ask, "How do I know what to write?"

Here's an easy trick. Instead of naming the emotion, ask:

• What would the reader see?
• What would they hear?
• What would the character do?

Answering these questions naturally creates stronger writing.

A Quick Challenge

Can you improve these sentences?

• The dog was excited.
• The teacher was disappointed.
• The children were frightened.

Try rewriting them without using the emotion words. It's a fun exercise that helps children think like writers.

Common Mistakes

Using Too Many Big Words

Children sometimes replace simple sentences with complicated vocabulary. The result sounds unnatural. Showing is about using better details, not harder words.

Showing Everything

Not every sentence needs to be descriptive. Good writers mix showing and telling to keep the story moving. Save the strongest descriptions for important moments.

Repeating the Same Expressions

Instead of using "heart pounding," "knees shaking," or "eyes widened" in every composition, encourage children to vary their descriptions. Original ideas are much more interesting.

A Fun Family Activity

Choose an emotion. Happy. Sad. Scared. Excited.

Take turns describing it without saying the emotion word.

Children usually enjoy this game - and they're practising descriptive writing without even realising it.

How Inkling Helps

Many children know they should "show, not tell." They just don't know how.

Inkling helps children discover richer ways to describe actions, emotions and events while building their own writing style. With personalised feedback after every composition, children gradually learn to write stories that readers can truly imagine.