Show, Don’t Tell! – Writing Lesson KS2+

Show, Don’t Tell! – Teaching Slides for KS2+ Writing Lessons
Bring your writing lessons to life with this vibrant, ready-to-use teaching presentation on the classic creative writing skill — “Show, don’t tell!”
Designed for Key Stage 2, this colourful and engaging resource helps children understand how to make their writing more vivid and emotional by describing what characters do, say, and feel, rather than simply stating their emotions.
What’s Included:
A clear explanation of what “show, don’t tell” means
High-quality, illustrated slides featuring examples from well-known children’s books (Matilda, The Boy at the Back of the Class, The Tale of Despereaux)
Side-by-side “showing vs telling” examples for key emotions (afraid, shocked, upset, happy, tired, nervous, hot)
Scaffolded phrases and visual prompts to support pupils’ own writing
“Your Turn” activity slide to practise transforming sentences
Learning Outcomes:
Pupils will:
Understand how “showing, not telling” makes writing more engaging for readers
Identify how authors convey emotions through actions, dialogue, and description
Apply the technique in their own writing using guided examples
Perfect for:
English or creative writing lessons
Whole-class teaching, small group work, or writing interventions
KS2 + lessons
Teachers who want a visual, story-rich approach to improving descriptive writing
Make your next writing lesson truly show-stopping — not just telling!