While I applaud the efforts of Central Narcotics Bureau in organising an anti-drug essay-writing competition, I can’t help feeling that while it is well-intentioned, it probably won’t be very successful in reducing crime rates amongst the young. Those who join the competition are unlikely to succumb to drugs; those who live in the fringes of society and might benefit from these essays are unlikely to have the linguistic chops necessary to comprehend these essays. Some of the plots also seem far-fetched. I doubt people will take drugs just because their “curiosity is piqued” after chancing upon wayward silhouetted characters at some dark alley. Granted that these come from the hands of teenagers who don’t have much life experience, I think the effectiveness of this campaign has to be called into question.

Nonetheless, I finished scanning through the essays in a bid to extract ‘Show Not Tell’ phrases for my fifth graders. So, here’s a complied list:

tears and mucus mingling as they flow down the contours of his face / piquant laksa / my hands trembling like aspen leaves / sinking into a vortex of desperation / with his uncontrollable anger clouding his mind / She was born with natural pale, chalky skin, which gave off a smooth white texture. / faint creases mapped out her pallid complexion / already rapidly spiralling into senselessness / Her curiosity piqued / his lips curved into a crooked smile, like a split seam being stretched / in a fit of anger / she buried her face in her hands as she was struck with realisation / the disappointment of my parents showed visibly on their worn faces. / The tender chambers of his heart seemed to prick at the enthralling sight before him.