I chanced upon this technique two years ago when I was surfing on the Internet to look for an effective way to help my students describe better. It has proven to be very useful and successful.
One important reminder, though is that vocabulary-building lessons should be carried out prior to a Show, not Tell lesson, especially so with average and below average second language learners.
Things to prepare:
LCD projector; Jumbled up strips of paper describing feelings; colour paper; colour pencils; glue; marker pens / magic pens; dictionary & thesaurus
How do I use this technique in my lesson?
1. Introduce the concept
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| Four Essential Elements in Show, not Tell technique |
2. Show examples
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| An example Alister and I came up with |
3. Practice
I use cooperative learning approach to get students to read some useful phrases/ sentences / expressions describing feelings. Each group is given 2 words. e.g. happy and sad; angry and bored; shy and amused; etc. Students, in groups of 3 - 4, are assigned to 2 - 3 phrases on strips of paper. They are to read and understand the expressions and categorize them under the appropriate circle maps.
It would help tremendously if the teacher has a list of useful expressions to describe various kinds of emotions.
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| Expressions to use in class |
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| Cooperative learning and circle maps in action |
4. Presentation
Each group to share their product by reading and acting out the expressions assigned to them.
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| Read and Act |
Check these websites out to get more examples of Show, Not Tell technique:
Write Design Online: Show, Not TellThis Craft Called Writing: A How to Guide on Show Not Tell
Mrs Swanda's Writing Resources
Mrs Swanda's Writing Resources
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