The rule “Show, Don’t Tell” is perhaps the first piece of writing advice you’ll ever come across. But while you’ve probably heard the phrase before, it can be quite tricky to know how to implement it. In the earliest stages of any writing project, most writers rely too heavily on telling the reader what the characters are feeling, describing events as they happen, or explicitly stating thoughts. While that’s certainly useful, that style of writing doesn’t always lead to a book filled with rich, nuanced details.
When you learn to show instead of tell, your readers will be able to enjoy your book more fully. Rather than being told what’s going on, they can discover things about your characters for themselves. They’ll be able to draw conclusions from the characters’ actions and thoughts, allowing them to understand the context of what they’re reading. Here’s how to implement the “Show, Don’t Tell” principle effectively in your own writing:
Understand What You Mean When You Say “Show” vs. “Tell”
To better understand this concept, consider the difference between “telling” your readers about a character and “showing” it to them.
If you want your reader to understand that a character is nervous about an upcoming job interview, it’s much easier to write “He felt nervous” than to provide detailed examples. The reader understands the character’s emotional state without having to think much. However, if you want them to understand that the character is anxious, you can show them by describing his actions. He might keep adjusting his jacket, not make eye contact, be unable to keep his hands still, or hesitate to answer basic questions. By showing the reader his physical behavior, they’ll be able to see the emotion he’s experiencing without needing to be told outright.
The point here is that by “showing” the reader what your character is doing, you’re creating an engaging experience that allows them to observe and draw conclusions for themselves.
Employ the Five Senses to Make Your Story More Engaging
Readers are most drawn to scenes where the environment and setting truly feel real. In other words, while visual details are great, try incorporating the senses as much as possible.
Instead of telling your readers what the rainy street looked like, describe the sounds of water hitting the pavement, the feeling of the wind and rain on their skin, the smell of wet asphalt, and maybe even the way the streetlights reflect on puddles. These details help your readers create a clearer picture of the scene in their mind and allow them to really feel immersed in your world. You don’t need to include as many descriptive details in every paragraph, but when you do choose to include them, make sure they enhance the atmosphere and mood of the scene.
Let the Dialogue Help You Show Character
Perhaps the best way to show the reader who a character is and how they feel is through their dialogue. If you want your reader to understand that a character is confident, impulsive, introspective, sarcastic, or humorous, let the characters say those things and interact with each other accordingly.
The words a character uses, the pace of their speech, the length of their responses, and the things they focus on all help to convey an idea of who they are and how they think. Even the simplest exchange can reveal a lot about two characters if they’re asked the same question in different ways. Good dialogue doesn’t explain anything unnecessary either. It shouldn’t exist just to inform the reader.
Actions are much stronger than descriptions
People are defined by their actions. One small action a character takes during a crisis can say more than a few pages dedicated to describing them.
As you construct your scenes, ask yourself how your characters act in stressful circumstances. Are they composed or do they lose control? Do they put other people’s needs ahead of their own? Do they wait before taking action?
Such actions build a relationship of trust with the reader because readers come to know the characters by seeing them, rather than being told what to think of them.
But knowing when to tell is also important
While the “show don’t tell” technique is a powerful tool, not every sentence has to be described in detail. Sometimes you have to tell the story, particularly if it is a mundane occurrence, a transition, or something that is not that significant emotionally.
Good writing involves finding a balance between the two. If there are critical emotional moments, you want to write them as scenes, with lots of action and dialogue. If something is less important, it may be better to simply say it.
Knowing when to use showing versus telling will ensure that the story maintains a good pace and the reader isn’t bogged down by too many unnecessary details.
Practice makes perfect
The best way to get better at showing is to practice on your writing during the revision stage. After you finish your draft, go back through each chapter and look for areas where you’ve explained an emotion or a situation instead of demonstrating it.
Try to find opportunities to change statements into actions, dialogue, or sensory details. Even small changes will have a big effect on the scene.
Eventually, it becomes second nature, and you’ll start showing during the first drafts as well.
Conclusion
Show, don’t tell is a phrase we hear all the time in writing. But it’s really more than that; it’s a philosophy of writing that encourages us to make our stories experiential for readers. Using actions, dialogue, sensory details, and descriptions creates a rich, emotional, and memorable story. Like any writing skill, showing will improve with practice. As you write, revise, and notice the world around you, you’ll become better and better at turning telling into showing.