Plan, draft, revise, peer-edit, and publish a 4-6 paragraph personal narrative
Exercise Difficulty 4 ~8 min eng.g3.f.ex_17

Peak Draft With Show Dont Tell

Prompt

Reread your orientation and complication. Draft a PEAK paragraph — 2 to 4 sentences — that shows the heart-pounding center of your moment. Apply SHOW-DON'T-TELL (no 'I was scared' — show body, action, dialogue instead). Use at least ONE Tier-2 Set 7 verb if you include dialogue.

M-3-F-EX-17 Illustration
Reference image of a peak paragraph with SHOW-DON'T-TELL annotations: 'hands shook' underlined as body, 'whispered' star

Reference image of a peak paragraph with SHOW-DON'T-TELL annotations: 'hands shook' underlined as body, 'whispered' starred as Tier-2 verb, dialogue marks correct. Print-ready 8.5x11.

How it's presented
mode handwriting paper single line g3
Answer criteria
type rubric
criteria
  1. 2-4 sentences
  2. SHOW-DON'T-TELL applied (no abstract feeling-statement; body/action/dialogue instead)
  3. ≥1 Tier-2 Set 7 verb (if dialogue)
  4. Capitals + periods
Hints
  1. Body cues: heart, hands, breath, skin, face.
  2. Pick the verb that fits the feeling, not just the volume.
Misconceptions to watch
  • Tells the feeling instead of showing.
  • Uses a generic dialogue tag (said) instead of a Tier-2 verb.
Used in lessons