One of the most powerful ways to transform your child’s creative writing is to help them master the skill of “show, don’t tell.” It’s also one of the most misunderstood techniques – especially when children are preparing for the 11 Plus.

I once worked with a Year 5 girl who always wrote things like “She was sad,” or “He was angry.” The meaning was clear, but the writing lacked any emotional depth. After a few simple lessons on how to show what those emotions looked like – in the body, the face, the actions – her writing became so much more powerful. She didn’t need fancy vocabulary. She just needed to show what the character was feeling, not state it plainly.

Let me show you how to teach your child the same.

What Does “Show, Don’t Tell” Mean?

In simple terms, it means helping the reader see what’s happening instead of telling them.

Instead of:

• “Tom was nervous.”

Try:

• “Tom’s hands trembled as he rubbed them on his trousers.”

One tells the reader what’s happening. The other lets the reader feel it for themselves.

Why “Show, Don’t Tell” Matters in the 11 Plus

Examiners are looking for writing that feels real. If your child can make the reader feel a character’s emotion or imagine a scene clearly, they’re going to score higher.

This technique shows:

• Emotional maturity
• Strong description
• Control of tone
• A more natural, engaging voice

It takes an average piece of writing and lifts it to the next level.

How to Help Your Child Practise

1. Use Pictures as Prompts

Find an image online – someone walking alone, a child hiding, a busy market. Ask:

• What’s happening?
• How can we describe it without naming the emotion?

For example: Instead of saying “She was scared,” describe her posture, breathing, or thoughts.

2. Play the Body Language Game

Give your child an emotion and ask them to act it out – no words. Then get them to describe what they did in writing.

They’ll quickly learn how to “show” emotions through movement and actions.

3. Replace Emotions in Sentences

Write a list of basic sentences like:

• “He was angry.”
• “She was excited.”
• “They were bored.”

Challenge your child to rewrite them using description, actions, or thoughts instead.

4. Start a Story With a Feeling

Give them a scenario and an emotion, like:

• “You’ve just heard some very bad news.” How do you describe that without using the word “sad” or “worried”?

Useful Starters for ‘Show Don’t Tell’

• Her hands…
• His voice…
• Their eyes…
• My heart…
• The room…

These prompts naturally lead into descriptive sentences.

Want a Simple Way to Build This Skill?

Inside the Creative Writing Crash Course, your child will learn how to:

• Use “show, don’t tell” techniques naturally
• Add emotional detail to their writing
• Make characters feel believable

It’s all broken down in an easy-to-follow way – perfect for children preparing for grammar and independent schools.

Your Next Step

If your child writes flat, literal sentences and struggles to bring emotion into their stories, “show, don’t tell” could be the missing piece.

Start the Creative Writing Crash Course today and help your child turn their writing from safe to stunning – with tools that make a real difference in the 11 Plus.