Figurative Langauge Part 3

 Part 3, examples.

Here are some ways to Show, Don't Tell, and Examples!

Show, Don’t Tell: Use GOLDEN Details AND Don’t Use Bad Words!!

EXAMPLE: It is really hot outside.

The burning sun scorched my sizzling skin.

A trickle of sweat oozed down my forehead as I stepped out into July’s oven.

It is really cold outside.

My teeth chattered as I stepped outside. The freezing wind battered my face, so forcefully that I was sure that it gave me bruises. My mittens were about as useful as a piece of paper against the snow pelting my body. As I stepped onto the ground covered in flakes of snow, water from the blizzard seeped into my shoe, and I winced as my toes seemed to turn to ice pops.

I am SO tired.

I was so exhausted, but I still didn’t regret staying up all night to read. My teacher’s form was blurred and her hands, which were pointing to something on the whiteboard, were mere dots in the wasteland of fuzziness before my eyes. I yawned, and my whole body shivered with delight at the idea of sleep. I wiped my eyes sluggishly, but the classroom still remained blurry. My head collapsed onto my desk, overcome with fatigue.

He was very happy.

He was the most joyful human I’ve ever seen. He hopped up and down, the mess of hair on his head swaying and bouncing with him. His hands shook with excitement and tears came to his eyes. He quickly wiped them away and then started giggling hysterically. He unwrapped the box with three neat holes at the top giddily, as if he had been waiting for this moment his whole life. He finished peeling off the wrapping paper and squealed cheerfully. A puppy with milk brown fur popped his head out, and the boy scooped it up in his arms.

I am scared.

As I tip-toed down the stairs to our creepy basement, I immediately had second thoughts. What was even down in here? Nothing my parents wouldn’t want us to find, I hoped. Images of knives and blades flashed in my mind and I gulped down the screamed that would’ve erupted out of my mouth. I heard my mom stomping around in the kitchen. 

The cat is sleepy.

My cat was so drowsy, she didn’t even look at the bowl of food I put out for her. Her slumbering form pulsed, up and down, up and down. “Buttercup!” I beckoned her. “Buttercup?” She still stayed there, not budging one bit. Finally, her nose twitched, catching the scent of food. She stretched, her whole body arching, but she collapsed again. As soon as her belly hit the mat, she started snoring peacefully, her body shuddering slightly with every breath. 

The stuff we had for dinner last night was gross.

The disgusting sludge mom served us for dinner was revolting. The smell wafted up into my nose and I couldn’t stop myself from gagging.

He was excited when he won the race.

He was elated when he won the competition. As soon as he crossed the finish line, he threw his hand in the air and cheered.

Quarantine is boring.

Quarantine is as dull as staring at a wall. Netflix doesn’t release new shows quickly enough and every day seems the same! When will it ever end?