Show Not Tell Writing

"My desk is messy, but I hate cleaning."

Which of the following sentences best shows your meaning instead of just telling it?

• Cleaning is boring, and I don't want to do it.

• I dreamed my desk was clean, but dreams are not reality.

• Will you clean my desk for me?

• I don't want to clean today.

"His shoes smell bad."

Which of the following sentences best shows your meaning instead of just telling it?

• His shoes smell really terrible.

• I can't stand the smell of his shoes.

• Everyone said his shoes smelled bad.

• His shoes could be used as a lethal weapon.

"I went to the grocery store."

Which of the following sentences best shows your meaning instead of just telling it?

• I went to the grocery store.

• Ingredient list in hand, I went to the grocery store, excited at all the dinner possibilities.

• Today, I went shopping.

• I needed some groceries, so I went to pick up some.

"I like ice cream."

Which of the following sentences best shows your meaning instead of just telling it?

• The thought of eating ice cream makes me drool.

• I eat ice cream every day.

• I really, really love ice cream.

• Ice cream is my favorite food.

"Everyone knows that the house is haunted."

Which of the following sentences best shows your meaning instead of just telling it?

• My friends and I have never entered the haunted house because we are scared.

• My neighbors said the house was haunted.

• No one dares to enter the old, abandoned house for fear of what may lurk inside.

• I heard there might be ghosts inside that old house.

"She is a very happy person."

Which of the following sentences best shows your meaning instead of just telling it?

• She is always happy.

• Whenever I see her, she has a spring in her step and a smile on her face.

• She is the happiest person I know.

• She makes me really happy because she is always happy.

"The band played a good concert."

Which of the following sentences best shows your meaning instead of just telling it?

• I really enjoyed the concert.

• It is my favorite band, I loved seeing them live.

• The concert was so good, and everyone seemed to be having a great time.

• The roar of the audience shook the stadium as they sang along to the lyrics.