Academic Writing for Graduate Students I

ENGL 501 DLP

Academic Writing for Graduate Students I

ENGL 501 DLP

Week/Workshop Five

W5.5.3

Showing and Telling in Writing

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.

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.

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!

Sentence Structure

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The End