English

Show, Don’t Tell: Colour Match

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Overview:

Students colour code passages of text to identify whether they ‘show’ or ‘tell’. Designed for middle and upper years students.

Learning Objectives:

  • Distinguish between ‘showing’ and ‘telling’ in writing.
  • Enhance descriptive writing skills by recognising and practising the ‘show, don’t tell’ technique.
  • Develop critical thinking and text analysis skills.

How the Activity Works:

Students are provided with a set of text cards. They shade the 'tell' cards orange and the 'show' cards green. Each ‘tell’ card matches a corresponding ‘show’ card. This activity helps students identify the differences between direct narration (telling) and sensory-rich, vivid descriptions (showing), reinforcing the concept of engaging writing through imagery and action.

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