Writing Tip: Show Don’t Tell
Anyone who’s been writing for more than a day has heard the phrase Show, Don’t Tell. Every writing teacher, coach, editor, or fellow author has probably said these three words countless times, but it really is a fundamental principle of storytelling. This golden rule is the key to creating immersive and engaging stories. It’s what makes readers connect with our work. Like anything, it’s usually about balance (there are times where telling is appropriate and even preferred over showing), but since this post is focused on why showing is a good idea, I’m definitely leaning hard into the benefits of it.
So, why is "showing" essential, and how can we master this art in our writing? I don’t have all the answers, but I’m happy to help you get started.
Why Show, Don't Tell Matters:
Emotion and Immersion
"Showing" invites readers to experience the story firsthand. Instead of telling them about a character's emotions or the atmosphere of a scene, show it through vivid descriptions, actions, and sensory details. This immersive approach allows readers to feel the emotions and visualize the setting, allowing them to connect more deeply.
Character Development
Rather than stating character traits, let actions, dialogue, and choices reveal them organically. Show how a character reacts under pressure, their habits, and the way they interact with others. This dynamic approach makes characters feel more relatable and three-dimensional.
Engages the Senses
Show, Don't Tell encourages us to engage the reader's senses. Describe the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures present in a scene. By appealing to the senses, we invite them to experience the story for themselves, rather than having them rely on our word for it. And anytime we engage their senses, our readers become more viscerally connected to our story, increasing the likelihood they’ll connect more deeply and remember it in the end.
Maintains Narrative Flow
Showing is an active process that keeps the narrative moving. Instead of halting the story to explain details, we can integrate information seamlessly through actions and observations. This not only maintains the pacing but also keeps readers engaged without unnecessary interruptions.
How to Utilize Show, Don't Tell:
Use Descriptive Language
Opt for descriptive language that paints a vivid picture. Instead of saying "it was a cold day," show the frost on windows, characters shivering, and their breath billowing into the air. Let the details immerse readers in the atmosphere.
Highlight Actions and Reactions
Actions speak louder than words. Instead of stating a character is angry, show clenched fists, a raised voice, or storming out of a room. Actions and reactions reveal emotions and motives organically. A book that really help to show emotions is The Emotion Thesaurus.
Dialogue with Purpose
Dialogue is a powerful tool for showing. Use it to convey emotions, relationships, and conflicts. Instead of explicitly stating feelings, let characters express themselves through dialogue, revealing nuances and tensions. It can be especially effective to have the character say one thing, but think another. In the example below, it shows not only the emotion (bitterness), but also the conflict causing it, and additional insight into the character himself.
Example: Instead of saying that Mark didn’t like his co-worker, Susan, you could have Mark talking to someone about her.
“I should have gotten that opportunity, not her,” Mark grumbled, casting a glare towards Susan’s cubicle. She’s compiling the data for her stolen project.
“For sure,” John agreed. “Are you gonna say anything to management about the fact that you helped her?”
“No.” At least, not directly. He did leave an anonymous note in their manager’s mailbox, but John didn’t need to know that. “I just have to trust that they’ll see her for what she is, eventually.” And if they didn’t, Mark would make sure to point out every mistake Susan ever made. He couldn’t understand why she kept getting awarded all the big projects while he was stuck fielding client complaints.
The above exchange provides a much more dynamic expression of the general idea. We could technically say Mark was bitter Susan was awarded the project, but it’s flat and lackluster compared to a more active scene where we see his interiority conflicting with his dialogue. We clearly get the feeling he’s unhappy at work, jealous of Susan, and bitter about what he perceives to be unfair. But we never said that outright. We showed it.
Immerse Readers in Settings
When describing settings, engage readers' senses. Show the play of sunlight through leaves, the distant hum of a city, or the aromas of a bustling kitchen. Immerse readers in the environment by using descriptive details that evoke sensory experiences. Get specific, and use references that are meaningful to the characters.
You could say “Sarah felt safe in her house and loved coming home.” Or, you could show it by having the character kick of her shoes and sag into the warm embrace of her favorite sofa. Show her curling up with a warm cup of tea, grabbing a hand-knitted blanket which reminds her of her grandma and all their cozy shared holidays. Let her sigh and feel her muscles relax. Now we can feel that Sarah is glad to be home.
Trust Readers to Interpret
Allow readers the space to interpret and connect the dots. Resist the urge to over-explain or spoon-feed information. Trust readers to infer emotions, relationships, and subtle details. This alone makes the reading experience far more engaging and interactive. This is definitely one of my struggles, so I’m hyper-aware of it.
Exercise: A Show, Don't Tell Challenge
To practice this stuff, take a scene from your writing and identify areas where you've told rather than shown. Rewrite those sections using descriptive language, actions, and dialogue to bring the scene to life. Try to engage all senses and consider how this transformation enhances the reader's experience and understanding. If you’re feeling especially brave, or if you want some outside feedback, consider sharing both scenes with a friend, writing partner, or critique group to see which one they prefer (and why). They may have even more suggestions for elevating your work, and in my experience, it’s always fun to get that feedback so I can continuing growing and improving as a writer.
Show, Don't Tell may be something we hear all the time as writers, but it really can be the difference between a decent story and a truly immersive one. By vividly describing, engaging the senses, and allowing actions and dialogue to convey meaning, we invite readers to step into the narrative rather than observe from a distance. This is something I still have to keep a close eye on in my own writing, so it’s a skill I continually practice. I don’t pretend to be an expert on the subject (or any of the other writing tips I post for that matter), but I’ve discovered lots of things and learned a ton from others along the way. Show, Don’t Tell was one of the first, and yet it’s still the one I probably need the most work on. Such is the journey.
Happy writing!
