Show, Don't (Always) Tell

As writers, we’ve all heard the phrase at least once, whether it was from our writing teacher, writing group, or a blog like this. “Show, don’t tell!”

But what does that mean? And, more importantly, how can you apply it to writing?

What is Show vs Tell?

To start, it best to establish what show vs tell actually means.

Tell: According to author Emma Darwin, telling is a narrator giving information to set up a story or give background information. It’s removed from the immediate situation and is used when something needs explanation.

Show: On the flip side, show is in the center of a situation. It contains all of the sensory, descriptive information needed to make the reader feel like they are experiencing the story right beside your characters.

Now that that’s established, how do you do it?

Use Dialogue

The way someone talks can reveal a lot about them. If you have a character that is particularly impatient, try showing that through irritated or angry dialogue. Your other characters may not appreciate getting yelled at, but it will allow the reader to experience the character’s personality better than just simply being told they are an irritable person.

Reactions

Not everything has to be through dialogue. You can also use reactions to show how a character deals with something. For instance, if they were just given a gift they had been wanting for a while, show their happiness. Instead of saying, “He was happy when he received a $100 gift card,” say, “He smiled as he hugged the gift-giver.”

Be Specific

No one wants to read a story with impersonal characters, where you never learn their names or what street they live on. Another way to show your audience something is to be descriptive when explaining locations or events.

For example, if your character enters a fancy hotel, don’t just say, “They entered a fancy hotel.” Instead, say, “They entered the Ritz-Carlton

and noticed the freshly polished marble floors gleaming underneath the twinkling light of the million-dollar chandelier.” It’s longer, yes, but adding descriptions allows your audience to better imagine the exact location you are describing. Just saying “a fancy hotel” can conjure a million different mental images.

Use Sensory Language

This goes hand in hand with the last point, but aside from sight, what are your characters feeling? Smelling? Tasting? Adding sensory language can help your audience relate to the situation easier and provide a more immersive experience.

When Telling Is a Good Thing

“But isn’t this the exact opposite of what you just said to do?”

Kinda, but not really.

Telling can be a useful tool, when used correctly and not overdone. For example, it can be used as a narrative tool between scenes or bits of dialogue to set up a new scene or give information about events that occurred over a passage of time.

The trick is to not be vague.

According to Emma Darwin, if you are describing a passage of time, explain the specific months, how the weather changed, and what mood your character was in at the time.

That should cover the basics. Below are more links with some more examples to help you with your writing.

Happy writing!

Sources and helpful links:

Showing and Telling: The Basics http://emmadarwin.typepad.com/thisitchofwriting/showing-and-telling-the-basics.html

The Secret To Show, Don’t Tell – Joe Bunting: http://thewritepractice.com/show-dont-tell/

Show, Don’t Tell – Daily Writing Tips: http://www.dailywritingtips.com/show-dont-tell/

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