Show, Don’t Tell Sort (1)

Overview:

A sorting activity designed to help students distinguish between "showing" and "telling" in writing. Designed for students in the middle and upper years.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify examples of "showing" and "telling" in writing.
• Understand the difference between showing (descriptive, sensory-rich writing) and telling (general or direct statements).
• Develop skills in transforming "telling" into "showing" to enhance descriptive writing.

How the Activity Works:

Students read a series of passages and decide whether the author is “showing” or “telling” in each example. They sort the passages under the correct heading: "Showing" or "Telling." This activity helps students strengthen their ability to engage readers by creating immersive, detailed scenes.