Good writers ensure that they have chosen the most effective words to make their meaning precise, to evoke the desired emotional response and to create visual images for the reader. This activity stresses the importance of showing rather than telling what emotion an author wants to evoke.
Strategies/Skills Used
Writing Skill 5: I carefully choose the most effective words to express my ideas.
Writing Skill 7: I use my personal style to make my writing unique.
(1) Create cards with an emotion written on each (e.g. fear, anger, joy). Next, post a description of a simple action scene that lacks emotion to share with students. (e.g. “She walked into the room and saw the children standing around. She went over to the desk and opened her book. Then she turned to the student next to her and asked if she could use his pencil.”)
(2) Ask students to choose an emotion card and rewrite the posted scene using effective words to highlight their chosen emotion. Students cannot use the emotion word in their text; rather, they must find other words that evoke the emotion. (For anger: “She stormed into the room and glared at the children standing around. She stomped over to the desk and tore open her book. Then she wheeled around to face the student next to her and demanded in a harsh, loud voice to use his pencil.”)
(3) Ask students to share their work with a partner or to the group. Discuss what works and what does not. Use this opportunity to discuss the importance of showing rather than telling (e.g. “Her hands hands were shaking” vs “She was scared”).
(4) Give students the opportunity to write a second or third variation with another emotion.
Primary
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Intermediate
Secondary
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