SHOW IT, DON’T TELL IT!Sensory Details

BRING CHARACTERS, CONFLICT, AND SETTINGS TO LIFE IN YOUR STORIES BY USING SENSORY DETAILS.

DESCRIBE HOW THINGS TASTE, SMELL, LOOK, FEEL, AND SOUND BY USING CONCRETE DETAILS TO HELP READERS FORM VIVID MENTAL PICTURES.

SIGHTGeneral SentenceAfter we viewed the movie about nuclear destruction, we better understood the devastating effects of this type of warfare.

Add ‘Sight’ sensory detailsAfter we viewed the enormous mushroom cloud produced by a nuclear bomb, we better understood the devastating effects of this type of warfare.

DESCRIBE WHAT YOU SEEI couldn't help but notice......________________________________________________________________________________

I gazed.....________________________________________________________________________________

SOUND

General SentenceThe music was very loud at the rock concert last night.

Add sound detailsMy ears are still ringing today because the music was very loud at the rock concert last night.

DESCRIBE WHAT YOU HEAR.Standing quietly, I noticed.....________________________________________________________________________________

I overheard .....________________________________________________________________________________

SMELLGeneral SentenceThrough the use of aromatherapy, many retail stores are trying to enhance their customers' moods to increase business.

Add Smell detailsBy using floral perfumes or outdoor scents, many retail stores are trying to make their customers feel like they are in a natural setting.

DESCRIBE WHAT YOU SMELL.Breathing deeply, I noticed ....________________________________________________________________________________

I inhaled the scent of ....________________________________________________________________________________

TASTEGeneral SentenceThe university sponsored a festival which featured Japanese foods.

Add taste detailThe university sponsored a festival featuring hot, spicy, Japanese foods.

DESCRIBE WHAT YOU TASTE.My mouth watered as ....________________________________________________________________________________

My stomach growled as .....________________________________________________________________________________

TOUCH

General sentenceThe Braille system of communication uses touch to convey a message.

Add touch detailThe Braille system of communication requires a person to touch a series of raised dots to convey a message.

DESCRIBE WHAT YOU FEEL.When I touched .....________________________________________________________________________________

He was holding .....________________________________________________________________________________

TRY IT:The class went to the zoo.________________________________________________________________________________At the party we ate cake and ice cream.________________________________________________________________________________The football game was loud. ________________________________________________________________________________