Showing Not Telling in Writing: Examples and Strategies to Follow

Introduction

Writers are often encouraged to “show not tell” in their work. But what does this mean? Show not tell is a writing technique used to create a more vivid narrative while engaging readers. It involves using scenes, descriptions, and other elements to paint a picture for the reader, rather than simply telling them what is happening.

Why Is It Important To Show Not Tell?

Showing not telling is important because it allows the reader to experience the story as if they were living it themselves. By using vivid descriptions, powerful dialogue, and evocative scenes, writers can bring their stories to life in ways that mere exposition cannot. Showing not telling also helps to develop characters and make them feel more realistic to readers.

Provide Examples of Showing Not Telling in Writing

To understand how to show not tell in writing, let’s look at some examples.

Example 1

Let’s say you want to describe a character’s emotions. Rather than simply saying the character was sad, you could use showing not telling to create a vivid description. For example: “Tears streamed down her face as she looked out over the city skyline, her heart heavy with despair.” This example gives the reader a much clearer picture of the character’s emotions than if you just said she was sad.

Example 2

Let’s say you want to describe a setting. Rather than simply saying it was hot outside, you could use showing not telling to create a vivid description. For example: “The sun beat down relentlessly, baking the pavement and creating shimmering waves of heat.” Again, this example gives the reader a much clearer picture of the setting than if you just said it was hot.

Example 3

Let’s say you want to describe a conflict between two characters. Rather than simply saying they were arguing, you could use showing not telling to create a vivid description. For example: “Their voices rose, each word dripping with anger and resentment as they faced off against one another.” This example gives the reader a much clearer picture of the conflict between the two characters than if you just said they were arguing.

Discuss the Benefits of Showing Not Telling

Showing not telling has many benefits, including helping to create a more engaging story, making characters seem more realistic, and increasing reader understanding.

Create a More Engaging Story

Using showing not telling can help to make your story more engaging. By providing vivid descriptions, dialogue, and scenes, you can draw readers in and make them feel like they are part of the story. This can help to keep readers hooked and make them more likely to finish your story.

Make Characters Seem More Realistic

Showing not telling can also help to make characters seem more realistic. By providing detailed descriptions of their actions and emotions, you can make them feel more real to readers. This can help to make readers care about your characters and invest in the story.

Increase Reader Understanding

Finally, showing not telling can help to increase reader understanding. By providing vivid descriptions and scenes, you can help readers to understand the story better. This can make your story easier to follow and make readers more likely to remember it.

Outline Strategies for Showing Not Telling

Now that we’ve discussed the benefits of showing not telling, let’s look at some strategies you can use to do it.

Use Dialogue

One strategy for showing not telling is to use dialogue. Dialogue can be a great way to convey characters’ emotions and give readers a sense of the situation. Rather than simply saying a character is angry, you can have them say something that conveys their anger. This can be a more effective way to show the character’s emotion.

Use Action

Another strategy for showing not telling is to use action. Rather than simply saying a character is scared, you can have them take an action that conveys their fear. This can be a more effective way to show the character’s emotion.

Use Sensory Details

Finally, another strategy for showing not telling is to use sensory details. Rather than simply saying a scene is beautiful, you can use descriptions of sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and textures to create a vivid image for the reader. This can be a more effective way to show the beauty of the scene.

Analyze Famous Examples of Showing Not Telling

Now that we’ve discussed strategies for showing not telling, let’s look at some famous examples.

Example 1

One famous example of showing not telling is from J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. In the first book, she describes the Dursley family’s house as “a small, brick house, ordinary and respectable on the outside, but strange and mysterious on the inside.” This description conveys a lot of information without explicitly stating it.

Example 2

Another famous example of showing not telling is from Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird. In the book, she describes Atticus Finch as “a man of reason, of courage, of integrity.” This description conveys a lot of information about Atticus without explicitly stating it.

Example 3

Finally, another famous example of showing not telling is from Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea. In the book, he describes the sea as “an endless expanse of blue, sometimes green, sometimes grey, but always beautiful.” This description conveys a lot of information about the sea without explicitly stating it.

Explain How to Use Description to Show Not Tell

Now that we’ve discussed some famous examples of showing not telling, let’s look at how to use descriptions to do it.

Use Specific Language

When using descriptions to show not tell, it’s important to use specific language. Rather than using vague words like “nice” or “beautiful”, try to come up with more precise words that accurately convey the scene or character. This can help to create a more vivid image for the reader.

Avoid Clichés

It’s also important to avoid clichés when using descriptions to show not tell. Clichés can be overused and lack originality, so it’s best to avoid them. Instead, try to come up with unique and creative descriptions that will engage readers.

Use Emotions and Feelings

Finally, when using descriptions to show not tell, it’s important to use emotions and feelings. Rather than simply describing a scene or character, try to evoke emotions in readers. This can help to make your descriptions more powerful and impactful.

Conclusion

In conclusion, showing not telling is an important writing technique that can help to create a more vivid narrative and engage readers. By providing examples, discussing the benefits, outlining strategies, and analyzing famous works, this article has explored how to show not tell in writing. Now that you know more about showing not telling, you can use it to become a better writer.