Fun While Showing, Not Telling: Crafting Vivid Detail in Writing

Abstract

This teaching tip highlights three writing minilessons that help students construct vivid sensory detail (textual detail related to the five senses) in their fiction and creative nonfiction writing. Learning to show, not tell, is a difficult task for novice writers. The author explores reasons why this is the case and provides directions for the implementation of three student‐centered writing minilessons. Lesson topics covered are analyzing song lyrics containing vivid detail, using a graphic organizer to help authors zero in on key moments, and a kinesthetic activity designed to help students devise similes and metaphors. These lessons are appropriate for middle and upper elementary students.