Show vs. Tell Writing Exercise

Choose one of the following and write a short response that adheres to the rubric and gets you as close to 400 words as possible:

A Meaningful Experience: Describe a moment in your life that profoundly impacted your perspective or shaped your identity. Instead of simply stating what happened, vividly illustrate the scene, emotions, and sensory details to allow the reader to experience it alongside you.

Overcoming Adversity: Reflect on a challenge or setback you faced and how you navigated through it. Rather than summarizing the difficulty, paint a picture of the obstacles, your feelings of resilience, and the eventual triumph or growth.

A Significant Relationship: Explore a relationship that has been influential in your life, whether it's with a family member, friend, mentor, or peer. Show the dynamics of the relationship through dialogue, actions, and specific moments that highlight its importance and impact on your development.

Cultural Identity: Share an aspect of your cultural background or heritage that is central to your identity. Instead of simply stating your cultural identity, immerse the reader in the traditions, customs, and personal experiences that have shaped your connection to your culture.

Passion or Interest: Dive into a subject or activity that ignites your passion or curiosity. Rather than listing your interests, bring them to life through vivid descriptions, anecdotes, and examples of how they have influenced your perspective or goals.

An Epiphany or Revelation: Describe a moment of realization or insight that changed your outlook on life or a particular belief. Use sensory details, internal thoughts, and external observations to convey the process of discovery and its significance to your personal growth.

Community Involvement: Discuss your involvement in a community service project, volunteer opportunity, or extracurricular activity. Instead of simply stating your role, show the impact of your actions on others and the lessons learned through specific interactions and experiences.

A Place of Significance: Take the reader to a place that holds special meaning for you, whether it's a childhood home, a favorite vacation spot, or a meaningful landmark. Use descriptive language to evoke the atmosphere, memories, and emotions associated with the place.

A Moment of Creativity: Explore a time when you felt inspired or challenged creatively, whether through art, music, writing, or another form of expression. Show the process of creation, the struggle to overcome obstacles, and the satisfaction of achieving your artistic vision.

Facing a Moral Dilemma: Describe a situation where you had to make a difficult ethical decision or stand up for what you believe in. Rather than explaining your choice, illustrate the conflicting values, inner turmoil, and eventual resolution through actions and dialogue.