Cliffhanger Gallery: Show, Don’t Tell
Your task: Choose one picture. Step into it and write the scene in English. Write as if you are there. Stop at the most exciting moment, so the reader has to know what happens next.
Copy the picture and paste it into a Word document. Write about 100 words. This is just to practice and learn how to show- don't tell. Week 45 will get a similar task, but you will write in Digiexam.
What is “show, don’t tell”?
When you tell, you give the reader the answer straight away: She was scared.
When you show, you let the reader see, hear and feel it, and work it out on their own: Her hand shook so hard that the key missed the lock twice.
| Tell | Show |
|---|---|
| It was cold. | My breath hung in the air like a small grey ghost. |
| He was angry. | He slammed the door so hard that the pictures on the wall rattled. |
| The forest was scary. | Every twig that snapped made me spin around. |
| She was happy. | She laughed and spun around until she was dizzy. |
How to do it
- Use your senses. What do you see, hear, smell and feel? Write at least three of them.
- Show feelings through the body. Don’t write I was nervous. Write what your hands, heart, voice or stomach are doing.
- Use strong verbs. Whispered, crept, slammed, flickered say more than said, walked, closed, shone.
- Add a line of dialogue. One short line can create a lot of tension.
- End with a cliffhanger. Stop just before the answer. Leave the reader wanting more.
Before you hand in
- I have shown at least two feelings without naming them.
- I have used at least three senses.
- I have used at least three words from the word bank.
- My text ends with a cliffhanger.
The pictures
1. Something Behind the Trees
The flashlight flickered twice. When it came back on, the shadow between the trees had moved closer.
Word bank: a twig snapped · damp, heavy air · my heart thudded · two eyes like sparks · I held my breath
Think: Friend or danger? What does the creature want?
2. The City Where Time Stopped
Every clock in the city had stopped at 9:41. Then my own watch stopped too.
Word bank: dead silence · empty windows stared · newspapers tumbled across the square · the watch was warm · no birds, no wind
Think: Where did everyone go? What happened at 9:41?
3. The Book That Opened a World
I only wanted to read the first page. I didn't expect the first page to read me.
Word bank: the pages hummed · a galaxy spun above the pages · light spilt out · my fingers tingled · a castle no bigger than my thumb
Think: Who lives in the tiny castle? If you go in, can you come back out?
4. The Robot and the Letter
Word bank: its eyes blinked slowly · a quiet, electric whir · metal fingers trembled · the empty classroom · an error it couldn't fix
Think: Who wrote the letter? What does the robot do now?
5. The Ship With My Name
Word bank: salty wind stung my eyes · the wood creaked · fog swallowed the sound · my jacket flapped in the wind · a bell rang once
Think: Who is on board? Why has the ship come back now?
6. The Box in the Rain
“Close it!” Leo shouted. But the box was already open, and the green light was crawling up Sam's arms.
Word bank: rain drummed on the street · a green glow on his face · Leo grabbed for the lid · my wet sleeves · a low buzzing sound
Think: Where did the box come from? Why are the friends fighting?
7. The Library After Closing
At 4:30, the librarian locked the door. At 4:31, the books began to move.
Word bank: pages fluttered like wings · old paper and dust · a book brushed my cheek · whispers from the shelves · golden light
Think: Why are you still in the library? What does the glowing book want to show you?
8. Up on the Rooftops
The stone was still warm when I picked it up. Behind me, someone landed on the roof.
Word bank: sirens far below · cold wind on my neck · the stone pulsed like a heart · gravel crunched · a shadow flew across the moon
Think: What is the stone? Who has been chasing it?
9. The Wrong Station
The train doors closed behind me. In front of me was a forest, warm sunshine and two moons.
Word bank: cold tiles, then soft grass · warm, sweet air · birdsong underground · my phone had no signal · the train was gone
Think: Do you step through the arch? Is there a train back?
10. Me, From the Future
The girl by my locker had my face, my jacket and a scar I didn't have yet.
Word bank: the hallway went silent · her voice cracked · she flickered like a bad screen · my mouth went dry · “You have to listen to me.”
Think: What is she trying to warn you about? How much time do you have?
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