Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today, I am exploring the age-old writing technique of “showing” instead of “telling”.

One of the biggest challenges for many writers, including me, is finding the right balance between “showing” and “telling”.

What is “Showing”
Showing in writing means painting a vivid picture with your words rather than simply telling your readers what has happened. 

Showing allows the reader to visualise what is happening in the story, engaging the reader’s imagination and allowing them to become invested, making the reading experience more enjoyable.


What is “Telling”
While “showing” is an essential technique in writing, it’s important to note that there are times when “telling” is necessary as well. “Telling” is better used when you need to give your reader some simple information quickly. Sometimes, “showing” too much can slow down the pacing of your story or make it feel overly long.

5 Ways to “Show” Instead of “Telling”

1 Use Sensory Details
Don’t just tell the reader what your characters see – show them by describing what they see, hear, smell, taste, and feel. For example: “The salty ocean breeze whipped through her hair as she stood on the rocks, listening to the waves crash against the shore.”

2 Use Dialogue
Dialogue is a powerful tool for showing your character’s personality, motivations and relationships with others. Through dialogue, your readers can hear (so to speak) and see how your characters interact with each other, making the story more layered.

3 Use Body Language
In storytelling, body language can be used to reveal character traits. For instance, if you want to show that your character is scared, instead of simply telling the reader, you can show them by having the character shaking, biting their nails and holding their arms close to their chest, or even chewing the ends of their hair.

4 Use Active Verbs
Instead of telling the reader that your character escaped the fire, use active verbs to show it. For example: “Carla sprinted down the hallway, heart pounding in her ribcage, as the alarm blared behind her”.

5 Use Specific Language
A far more engaging way of letting your reader know the house is old is — you guessed it — to show them! Be specific with your descriptions. Speak about the dirty yellow paint peeling from the facade, the cracked and rotting window frames and the door swollen in its frame from damp. 

Overall, “showing” and not “telling” will bring your story to life and create a memorable experience for your readers, drawing them in and letting them live in your story world.

So next time you’re writing, remember these tips and see how you can “show” rather than “tell” your way to a better tale.

As ever, thank you for stopping by to read my words. I appreciate it!

Until next time,

George

© 2024 GLT

Categories: Worldbuilding, Writing Tips

Tags: advice, showing and telling, tell, tips, writing advice, Writing Tips