Show not tell phrases for happy for composition writing
- Sabreena Nazimudeen
- May 28
- 4 min read
Show, not tell phrases for happy: Writing Happiness in Primary School Compositions
In Singapore PSLE compositions, one way to stand out is by mastering the art of “Show, Not Tell.” Instead of simply saying “Tom was happy,” students can paint a vivid picture of how happiness looks, feels, and sounds. This brings the character to life and impresses exam markers with expressive, detailed writing.
Below is a collection of “Show, Not Tell” phrases for happy, carefully tailored for primary school students to use in their compositions.
1. Physical Reactions (Body language that shows joy)
A wide grin stretched across her face.
He bounced on his feet, unable to keep still.
Her eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky.
He clapped his hands with glee.
She skipped all the way home, humming a cheerful tune.
His laughter echoed through the room like music.
She spun around in circles, giggling to herself.
He punched the air with excitement.
She twirled around the room, humming her favourite song.
He did a little dance, unable to hide his excitement.
She hugged her friend tightly, unable to stop smiling.
His feet barely touched the ground as he dashed off joyfully.
She flung her arms in the air like a bird taking flight.
He gave a joyful whoop and fist-bumped the air.
Her whole body seemed to glow with excitement.
He tapped his fingers on the table in a happy rhythm.
2. Facial Expressions (Smiles and eye expressions that show happiness)
A joyful smile lit up her face.
His cheeks lifted as a big smile formed.
She couldn’t stop grinning from ear to ear.
His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled.
Her eyes lit up like fireworks.
His mouth curled into a smile that wouldn’t go away.
She had a permanent grin plastered on her face.
A smile tugged at the corners of his lips and stayed there.
Her dimples showed as she beamed with joy.
Her entire face lit up with excitement.
Her eyes danced with merriment.
Even the corners of his mouth turned upwards in a silent smile.
3. Dialogue Cues (What characters say when they are overjoyed)
“This is the best day ever!” she exclaimed.
“Yay! I can’t believe it!” he shouted, unable to hide his delight.
“I’m so happy I could burst!” she said, jumping up and down.
“I’m so lucky!” she cried, barely able to contain her joy.
“Pinch me! This feels like a dream!” he laughed.
“This is the happiest moment of my life!” she said breathlessly.
“Thank you! Thank you!” he kept repeating, his voice trembling with happiness.
“Woohoo!” he cheered, running ahead with a huge grin.
4. Internal Feelings (Narration Style) (Describing the emotion from the inside)
Her heart felt as light as a feather.
Joy bubbled inside him like a shaken soda can.
A warm, fuzzy feeling spread through her chest.
He felt like he was walking on sunshine.
Happiness swelled in his chest until he thought it might burst.
Her heart fluttered like a butterfly in spring.
His happiness was so big it felt like it would burst out of him.
She felt as if sunshine was pouring into her soul.
His worries vanished, replaced by a cloud of joy.
It felt as though a thousand happy fireworks were going off inside her.
Her mind was filled with colourful thoughts and cheerful dreams.
Her whole body tingled with excitement.
He felt as if he were floating on air.
A wave of joy washed over her like a gentle tide.
His whole body seemed to radiate happiness.
A spring seemed to appear in his step.
A soft giggle tickled her throat.
5. Actions & Interactions (How characters behave when they’re happy)
She hugged her teddy bear tightly, a contented sigh escaping her lips.
He shared his snacks with his friends, a happy smile on his face.
They cheered loudly, waving their handmade banners.
She jumped up and down, her ponytail bouncing with each leap.
He gave his mum a big hug, his face beaming.
They held hands and skipped along the pavement.
She carefully arranged her prize on the table, a look of pure satisfaction on her face.
He high-fived his teammate, a whoop of joy escaping his lips.
They gathered around the birthday cake, their faces alight with anticipation.
She clapped along to the music, her whole body swaying with happiness.
6. Sounds & Exclamations (Beyond direct dialogue)
A happy squeal escaped her lips as she saw the surprise.
The sound of his joyful whoop echoed through the playground.
A chorus of happy cheers erupted from the class.
She hummed a happy tune under her breath as she worked.
The air buzzed with excited chatter and laughter.
Tips for Students:
Use a variety of these phrases to make your story more expressive.
Link the reason for the happiness clearly in your writing.
Choose phrases that match the tone and age of your character.
Try combining one phrase from each category to paint a vivid scene.
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