SHOWING NOT TELLING-THE EMOTION POTION The Importance of Emotion in Writing Every lure that writers use to pull in readers is based on one crucial enticement-Emotion. A specific genre, topic, or theme may be the bait that catch readers’ interest, but teasing their emotions buries the hook in readers’ minds, hearts and souls. One of the most difficult obstacles middle school and high school student writers have to overcome is feeling enough confidence to express their innermost emotions. When they open that mental closet door and allow their emotions to live and breathe, they bring their writing to life. Jill wishes to describe her anguish at the loss of her milk chocolate Sharpei, Annie, whose coal nugget eyes glowed with unconditional love. Jack wants his character, Sam, the protagonist of his dystopian story, "No More Heroes," to show a façade of indifference when facing his tormentor although his muscles are liquefying in fear. Afraid of the reactions of their peers -be it laughter, scorn or any negative feedback - for not maintaining their “cool” attitudes, Jill writes, “The day my brown Sharpei dog died, I cried all evening.” Jack shares, “ Sam’s face looked like a stone even though his muscles shook in fear.” These examples TELL, and no one likes to be told how anyone feels – especially, how they should feel. Readers want to stick their toes into the pool of emotion and touch, see, hear, taste or smell the anguish, pain, fear or joy. Every reader expects the writer to SHOW me how you feel so I can understand that I am not alone. SHOW me how you cope so I can learn how to face the good, bad and ugly in my life. SHOW me how to make sense out of my emotions, be they joy, sorrow or every one in between. The lessons in this packet will help student writers free emotions from their protective cocoons by first allowing the writers to become comfortable with analyzing the emotions other authors present. Next, students will practice exploring their own feelings and, finally, to SHOW them in their own words. This Product Includes Three pages of Teacher Notes One Activity Completion Chart Seven printable Activity handouts: Emotional Moments- Creating Word Pictures Note Sheet Acting Out-Getting Emotional Picturing Emotions This Video is Worth 250 Words How Do You Feel About That? My Emotional Sound Bite Emotional Me! One page for project closure SHOWING NOT TELLING-THE EMOTION POTION empowers students to strengthen their writing with the three basic foundations of good writing: 1. SHOW-DON’T TELL 2. EMOTION RULES! 3. CREATE WORD PICTURES As always, this activity- PDF version- may be downloaded and printed for classroom use. Also, an Easel Activity is ready to be used for Google Classroom. Teachers may choose to add an interactive layer of their own for digital use by clicking on the red "Use as a Buyer" rectangle on the product's page. Here are more activities for students to practice hooking their readers: Writing Activities - Specific Word Choice and Tone: Talk to Me Writing Warmup Activities - Mental Stretches Writing Activity- Be Be BE SPECIFIC Enjoy a Teach It Now Day Every Day, Connie Follower Advantage For an automatic Heads-Up! email about Updated and New products, and also for Sales and other promotions, please click on the Follow Me star under my Store name, Connie.
