1. Academic Writing for Graduate Students I ENGL 501 DLP Week/Workshop Five W5.5.3 Showing and Telling in Writing

2. Showing and Telling in Writing Showing: uses specific details, paints a picture for the reader, so he/she feels as if they are in the story, and provides the reader with specific details that make the reading a vivid and clearer image of what the writer is talking about. Telling: focuses on a list of general details, tells the story in a boring, undescriptive way, and lacks the visual clarity (specific details) the reader needs to fully understand the reading.

3. Examples of Showing and Telling: Telling: Sandra was very tall. Showing: Sandra had to duck her head as she came into the room. Telling: Carmen was shy. Showing: Carmen rarely spoke, and her eyes seldom left the floor. Telling: Bob is disrespectful. Showing: Bob spoke back to the teacher and never listened to what she had to say.

4. Sentence Function Make a statement: I have to do my homework. Ask a question: Do I have to do my homework? Issue a command or request: Do your homework before I get back. Express a strong feeling: Yes, I finished my homework!

5. Sentence Structure A sentence may be identified as a: – Simple sentence – Compound sentence – Complex sentence – Compound-complex sentence.

6. Sentence Structure Simple Sentence – has one independent clause Compound Sentence – has two independent clauses Complex Sentence – has one dependent clause joined to an independent clause Compound-Complex – has two independent clauses joined to one or more dependent clauses.

7. Simple Sentences Melt! Ice melts. The ice melts quickly. The ice on the river melts quickly under the warm March sun. Lying exposed without its blanket of snow, the ice on the river melts quickly under the warm March sun.

8. Compound Sentences Simple: Canada is a rich country. Simple: Still, it has many poor people. Compound: Canada is a rich country, but still it has many poor people.

9. Complex Sentences Dependent Clause: After I came home Independent Clause: I made dinner. Complex Sentence: After I came home I made dinner. Dependent Clause: Before it closed Independent clause: We visited the museum. Complex Sentence: We visited the museum before it closed.

10. Compound-Complex Sentences Independent Clause: I haven't had the time to go lately. Independent Clause: I haven't found anyone to go with. Dependent Clause: Although I like to go camping... Compound-Complex Sentence: Although I like to go camping, I haven't had the time to go lately, and I haven't found anyone to go with.

11. Summary Showing and telling in writing: – the reader prefers to be part of the action rather than hear about it. Sentence structure: – sentences are classified by kinds depending on the number of clauses it contains. Sentence function: – a sentence has one of four functions.

12. The End