Show, Don’t Tell: Important Things to Remember While Writing

One of the most essential skills any writer can master is the art of "showing" rather than "telling." If you've ever heard the phrase "show, don't tell," but weren't entirely sure how to apply it, you're not alone. This principle can make a significant difference in how your writing resonates with readers, creating vivid, emotional experiences rather than flat, detached storytelling. Let's break down why showing is so important and how you can effectively incorporate it into your writing.

What Does "Show, Don’t Tell" Mean?

At its core, the advice to "show, don't tell" encourages writers to present scenes, emotions, and actions in a way that allows readers to experience them for themselves, rather than just being told about them. Instead of simply stating facts or feelings, you want to use descriptive language, sensory details, dialogue, and action to let readers infer the mood, setting, and inner thoughts of characters.

For example:

Telling:
She was nervous about the meeting.

Showing:
Her palms were sweaty, her heart pounded in her chest as she wiped a shaky hand on her skirt, glancing at the clock every few seconds.

The second example not only describes the nervousness but immerses the reader in the character’s physical sensations, making them feel the anxiety themselves.

Why Does Showing Matter?

1. It Makes Your Writing More Engaging

When you show rather than tell, you're inviting your readers into your story. They get to visualize and feel what’s happening, making the experience richer and more immersive. This engagement is what keeps readers turning pages, eager to see how things unfold.

2. It Deepens Character Development

Showing allows you to reveal the inner workings of your characters without directly stating them. A character’s actions and body language often speak volumes about their emotions and motivations. Instead of saying a character is kind, show them helping someone in a subtle yet significant way, or rather than telling your readers a character is angry, show them clenching their fists, pacing, or slamming a door.

3. It Evokes Emotion

When you show emotions through sensory details and actions, you trigger the reader's empathy. For instance, instead of just telling us a character is sad, describing their tear-streaked face, the weight in their chest, and their slow, heavy steps makes the sadness tangible. This pulls readers into the emotion rather than simply having them acknowledge it.

How to Show, Don’t Tell: Key Strategies

1. Use Action

Action is a great tool for showing. What are your characters doing in a given moment? Their movements, choices, and reactions speak louder than words. Instead of telling us that a character is angry, show them slamming a mug down, stomping across the room, or using short, clipped speech.

2. Appeal to the Senses

Help your readers see, hear, taste, smell, and touch the world you're creating. Descriptive details about the environment can set the tone, evoke emotion, and immerse the reader in the moment. For example, instead of telling us it's cold, describe the chill in the air that makes their breath visible, the way their fingers ache with numbness, or the sound of icy wind howling.

3. Use Dialogue

Dialogue can reveal so much about a character's personality, mood, and intentions. Instead of telling readers that a character is sad or frustrated, show it through the tone and content of their speech. Do they speak softly, abruptly, or with a lot of hesitation? The way they speak can convey so much.

4. Show Internal Conflict Through Small Details

Rather than simply stating how a character feels about a situation, you can show their internal conflict with small but significant details. For example, if a character is torn about making a decision, show them pacing, biting their lip, or weighing the pros and cons in their mind. These actions subtly reveal the turmoil without ever saying, "I'm confused."

5. Be Specific in Your Descriptions

Vague or broad statements can be a sign of telling. Instead, focus on specific, unique details that bring the scene to life. For instance, instead of saying, the room was messy, show the clutter: empty coffee cups stacked in the corner, clothes scattered across the floor, and a half-eaten sandwich left on the desk.

When is Telling Okay?

While "showing" is often preferred, there are times when telling can be effective. Telling can be useful for:

• Pacing: Sometimes you need to move the story forward quickly, and telling certain details can help streamline the narrative.
• Internal Monologue: If a character is reflecting on their emotions or thoughts, telling may be more natural to convey complex inner states.
• Summary: When summarizing background information or events that don't require in-depth emotional exploration, telling can work to keep things concise.

Practice Makes Perfect

Mastering "show, don't tell" takes time and practice. If you're struggling to show more in your writing, try reading some of your favorite books and paying attention to how authors handle this. Notice how they describe a character’s emotions, actions, and the world around them without simply stating facts.

Incorporating showing into your writing will not only make your work more vivid and engaging, but it will also elevate the emotional depth of your storytelling, drawing readers closer to your characters and world. Keep practicing, and soon showing will become second nature, transforming your writing in powerful ways.

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