Let’s be honest—when we tell students to “show, don’t tell,” most of them look at us like we’ve just asked them to write a novel in ancient Greek. It’s one of those writing skills that sounds simple… until they try it.
This post walks you through a ready-to-go mini-lesson that helps students understand what “showing” really means—and how to do it. The entire lesson is built into a Google Slides presentation that’s editable, flexible, and classroom-tested.
📥 Grab the free handout with the link to the Google Slides lesson here.
✨ Activity #1 – Let’s Talk About It
We kick things off with a side-by-side comparison that gets students thinking. One version tells; the other shows. The example comes from Where the Red Fern Grows—and it’s a great one.
Telling:
I left work feeling happy. It was a good day.
Showing:
“When I left my office that beautiful spring day, I had no idea what was in store for me. To begin with, everything was too perfect for anything unusual to happen. It was one of those days when a man feels good, feels like speaking to his neighbor, is glad to live in a country like ours, and proud of his government…”
Cue the discussion: Which one paints a picture? Which one makes you feel something? Students will start to see the difference—and that’s the goal.
✨ Activity #2 – The Power of Details
Next, we zoom in on how adding details transforms a sentence. Watch this simple sentence grow:
- The girl went to the beach.
- Sally went to Ocean Isle Beach.
- Last summer, young Sally went to Ocean Isle Beach on the coast of North Carolina with her family.
- During the hottest part of the summer, ten-year-old Sally went to Ocean Isle Beach on the coast of North Carolina with her parents and two younger sisters.
Each version adds more detail, more imagery, and more voice. Students see how “telling” becomes “showing” with just a few thoughtful additions.
✨ Activity #3 – More Mentor Text Magic
We return to Where the Red Fern Grows for two more examples of vivid, descriptive writing:
- One scene features Rubin and Rainie daring Billy to catch the ghost coon.
- The other shows Little Ann being judged in the beauty contest.
Both are rich with sensory language and emotion—perfect for helping students analyze what makes writing come alive. Discussion questions are included to guide the conversation.
✨ Bonus Mini-Lesson: How to Teach Irony Without Spoilers
Want to take your descriptive writing to the next level? Irony is when something turns out differently from what is expected. It’s a powerful way to “show” emotion, surprise, or humor without spelling everything out.
This short video explains the three types of irony (verbal, situational, and dramatic) using examples that don’t spoil any stories. It’s a great way to help students understand how contrast and surprise can make writing more vivid and memorable.
📺 Watch the video below to learn how irony works—and how you can use it in your own writing.
📝 A matching organizer is included in the handout to help students identify and write their own examples of irony.
✨ Activity #4 – Quick Quiz Time
This one’s simple but effective. Students read six short passages and decide which ones “show” and which ones “tell.” Spoiler alert: they’ll catch on fast.
The goal here is exposure—lots of examples to help students internalize the difference.
✨ Activity #5 – Let’s Write (Angrily)
Now it’s their turn. Students brainstorm what anger looks like—clenched fists, red faces, stomping feet—and use those phrases to write a paragraph about losing a wallet.
It’s a great way to move from abstract emotion to concrete description.
✨Activity #6 – Oreo Writing (Yes, Really)
This one’s a student favorite. Give each student an Oreo (or any snack), and have them describe how it looks, smells, feels, and tastes. Then, they use those sensory details to write a descriptive paragraph.
It’s fun, it’s delicious, and it drives the point home: good writing makes you feel like you’re there.
✨ Activity #7 – Vocabulary Boost
Another key to showing instead of telling? Strong word choice. This mini-poster, “Said is Dead,” offers students alternatives to the word “said” to make their dialogue feel more dynamic.
This mini-poster is included in the post handout.
Bonus: Online Resources
Want even more practice? Here are a helpful link:
Final Thoughts
“Show, don’t tell” doesn’t have to be a mystery. With the right examples, a little humor, and maybe a cookie or two, students can learn to write with clarity and voice.
Grab the free handout and Google Slides lesson here.
All activities listed can be found in a student-friendly, fully editable Google Slides presentation. The presentation is ready to go for your next writing block.
📚 Want More Practice with “Show, Don’t Tell”?
These novel studies include full narrative writing units with a dedicated lesson on “Show, Don’t Tell,” as well as activities on vivid imagery, dialogue, story hooks, and more. Each unit is classroom-tested and ready to use—perfect for reinforcing writing skills through literature your students will love.
Flora & Ulysses Novel Study (Grade 4)
Includes lessons on figurative language, descriptive writing, and narrative structure.
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Novel Study (Grade 5)
Focuses on vivid imagery, plot development, and character-driven storytelling.
The Outsiders Novel Study (Grade 6)
Includes lessons on foreshadowing, conflict, and crafting emotionally rich narratives.
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Thank you, Cindy!!
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I came across this fantastic powerpoint that really encapsulates teaching Show Don’t Tell. I modified it to include descriptions.