Have you ever been told to “show, don’t tell” when writing a story? It’s one of the most important tips for making your writing exciting, emotional, and real. But what does it actually mean?
When you tell, you’re simply stating facts: “Lucy was scared.”
When you show, you’re painting a picture: “Lucy’s hands shook as she clutched the edge of the table, her breath coming in sharp gasps.”
See the difference? Showing pulls readers into the scene, making them feel what the character feels. In this guide, we’ll explore what show, don’t tell really means, why it’s important, and how you can use it to make your writing shine.
1. What Does ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ Mean?
‘Show, don’t tell’ means letting your readers experience the story through actions, words, thoughts, and senses instead of simply telling them what’s happening.
When you tell, you summarise:
- Ben was angry.
When you show, you describe the anger through actions and body language:
- Ben’s fists clenched, and his face turned red as he slammed the door behind him.
Showing gives life to your words, making your characters and settings feel real.
2. Why Is Showing Better Than Telling?
- It Makes Your Writing More Engaging: Readers can picture what’s happening instead of being handed plain facts.
- It Creates Emotional Connections: When readers can see a character’s emotions, they’re more likely to care about them.
- It Builds Stronger Scenes: Showing makes scenes more vivid and memorable.
That doesn’t mean you should never tell. Sometimes, it’s okay to tell when you need to move quickly through less important moments. But for key emotions and actions, showing is almost always better.
3. Show Emotions Through Actions and Body Language
One of the easiest ways to show instead of tell is through body language and actions.
Instead of Telling, Show Like This:
- Telling: Sophie was nervous.
- Showing: Sophie’s fingers tapped rapidly on the desk, and she kept glancing at the clock.
- Telling: David was excited.
- Showing: David bounced on his toes, his smile stretching from ear to ear.
Think about how people show emotions in real life. Do they cross their arms? Do they avoid eye contact? Use those little details to bring your characters’ feelings to life.
4. Use the Five Senses
When you describe a scene, don’t just focus on what characters see. Use all five senses:
- Sight: What do they see around them?
- Sound: Are there any noises in the background?
- Smell: Are there any distinct scents in the air?
- Touch: How does something feel against their skin?
- Taste: Can they taste anything?
Example of Using Senses:
Instead of saying: “The bakery smelled nice.”
Try: “The warm scent of fresh bread and melting butter wrapped around her like a cosy blanket as she stepped into the bakery.”
Using senses helps readers feel like they’re inside the scene.
5. Show Through Dialogue
Dialogue isn’t just about what characters say—it’s also about how they say it. You can show a lot about a character’s emotions, personality, and mood through their words and how they speak.
Instead of Telling, Use Dialogue:
- Telling: Jake was furious.
- Showing: “I can’t believe you did that!” Jake’s voice rose, his face turning red.
- Telling: Emily was shy.
- Showing: “Um… I’m not sure,” Emily mumbled, staring at her shoes.
When writing dialogue, think about tone, volume, and body language to make emotions clear.
6. Show Actions in Detail
Sometimes, telling happens when writers rush through important actions. Slow down during key moments and describe what’s happening step by step.
Instead of Telling, Show the Action:
- Telling: Sarah opened the door nervously.
- Showing: Sarah’s hand trembled as she reached for the door handle. She hesitated for a moment before slowly pushing it open, her breath catching in her throat.
Showing actions in detail helps readers feel like they’re right there with your character.
7. Avoid Over-Explaining
When you show emotions or actions well, you don’t need to tell the reader what’s happening as well.
Over-Explained:
- “I can’t believe you said that!” Ben shouted angrily.
Better:
- “I can’t believe you said that!” Ben shouted.
The word ‘shouted’ already shows anger, so you don’t need to add ‘angrily’. Trust your descriptions to do their job!
8. Practice ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ with These Exercises
The best way to master show, don’t tell is through practice. Here are some fun exercises:
- Exercise 1: Write a scene where a character is scared. Don’t use the word ‘scared’—show it through actions, body language, and dialogue.
- Exercise 2: Describe a busy market using all five senses.
- Exercise 3: Write a conversation between two characters who are arguing. Show their emotions through dialogue and body language.
The more you practise, the more natural it will feel to show instead of tell.
9. When It’s Okay to Tell Instead of Show
While showing is usually better, there are times when telling works just fine:
- When you need to move quickly through unimportant details.
- When summarising events that happened off-screen.
- When introducing simple facts.
Example: Mina spent the summer at her grandmother’s house.
You don’t always need to turn small details into long descriptions. Save your showing for the moments that matter most.
Bring Your Stories to Life
‘Show, don’t tell’ is one of the most powerful tools a writer can use. It helps your readers see, feel, and connect with your story on a deeper level.
Next time you write, slow down and think:
- Can I describe this scene using the five senses?
- Can I show this emotion through body language or dialogue?
- Am I trusting my descriptions, or am I over-explaining?
With practice, showing will become second nature, and your stories will feel richer, more exciting, and impossible to put down.
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