Skip to main content
Academy11+

Free printable worksheet 路 About 20 minutes 路 Ages 9 to 11

Show, don't tell

Rewrite flat 'telling' sentences so the reader sees the feeling through actions, body language and speech. Print it from this page or download the PDF.

Download PDF

Academy11+

Free 11+ creative writing worksheet

Show, don't tell

About 20 minutes

Name

Date

Each sentence below tells the reader a feeling. Rewrite it to show the feeling instead, through actions, body language, speech or what the character notices. Don't use the feeling word in your version.

Example

Telling: Sam was nervous about the race.

Showing: Sam retied his laces for the third time. His stomach flipped as the whistle went to the starter's lips.

Ideas to borrow

clenched fists 路 a shaky breath 路 eyes darting 路 a grin spreading 路 shoulders slumped 路 tapping fingers 路 a lump in the throat 路 cheeks burning 路 a whisper 路 feet rooted to the spot

Rewrite each sentence to show the feeling

  1. 1.Ella was scared of the dark cellar.

  2. 2.Dad was angry about the broken window.

  3. 3.Priya was excited about her birthday.

  4. 4.The old man was lonely.

  5. 5.Leo was embarrassed when he fell over.

  6. 6.The teacher was surprised by the answer.

  7. 7.Grace was tired after the long walk.

  8. 8.Tom was proud of his model.

www.academy11.co.uk/11-plus-creative-writing/worksheets/show-dont-tell 路 Free 11+ creative writing worksheet from Academy11+ 路 Free to print for home and classroom use

Tips for parents

  • Play 'Guess the feeling': act out a feeling without words and let your child describe what they see. Those descriptions are 'showing'.
  • Telling isn't always wrong. A quick 'She was furious' can keep a story moving; save showing for the moments that matter most.
  • When reading together, pause on a sentence that shows a feeling and ask how the author let you know.

Written the story? Get feedback on it

Once the plan becomes a story, get it marked: your child writes to exam-style prompts, typed or handwritten, and you get feedback on what went well and what to improve. There's a free 7-day trial.

Get feedback on a story

Enter the writing competition

Put the practice to use: a free writing competition every month for Years 4, 5 and 6, with one prompt, feedback on every entry and winners featured on the site.

See the writing competition

More free creative writing worksheets

See all 10 creative writing worksheets 路 Download this sheet (PDF)

More free 11+ creative writing help

Questions parents ask

What does 'show, don't tell' mean?

It means letting the reader work out how a character feels from what they do, say and notice, rather than naming the feeling. 'Her hands shook as she opened the letter' shows fear or worry; 'She was scared' tells it.

Why do 11+ examiners like 'show, don't tell'?

Showing makes writing more vivid and draws the reader in, and it shows control of vocabulary and sentence choice, which is what marking schemes reward. It's one of the clearest differences between an average and a strong 11+ story.