One of the most common pieces of writing advice out there is “show, don’t tell.” But what does that actually mean? And how can you apply it to your own stories without getting lost in overly descriptive language?
Let’s break it down with practical tips to help you write vivid, emotionally resonant scenes that keep your readers hooked.
📖 What Does “Show, Don’t Tell” Really Mean?
“Telling” gives the reader facts and summaries. “Showing” invites the reader into the scene to experience it for themselves.
- Telling: She was angry.
- Showing: Her fists clenched at her sides, and her jaw tightened as she stared him down.
Showing uses action, dialogue, body language, thoughts, and sensory details to convey emotions and events. It allows the reader to draw conclusions rather than being handed information directly.
✨ Why It Matters
When you show instead of tell:
- Readers feel more immersed in the story.
- Emotions feel authentic and powerful.
- Characters become multi-dimensional and relatable.
- Scenes become cinematic and engaging.
🛠️ Practical Tips to “Show, Not Tell”
1. Use Sensory Language
Instead of summarizing what’s happening, anchor your scenes in the five senses.
- Telling: The forest was spooky.
- Showing: Branches creaked in the wind, and a low mist curled around the trees, muffling her footsteps.
Ask yourself: What does the character see, hear, smell, taste, or feel in this moment?
2. Express Emotions Through Reactions
Show your character’s emotions through how they react physically, mentally, and verbally.
- Telling: He was nervous.
- Showing: He wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans and glanced at the clock for the fifth time.
Body language, pacing, inner thoughts, and tone of voice are all goldmines for showing emotion.
3. Use Dialogue with Subtext
People rarely say exactly what they feel. Let characters speak around the truth, hesitate, or use sarcasm to reveal inner conflict.
- Telling: She didn’t trust him.
- Showing (through dialogue):
“You expect me to believe that?” she said, arching an eyebrow. “That’s cute.”
Let your characters show their trust, doubt, fear, or affection through what they say—and how they say it.
4. Add Movement and Action
Even small gestures—biting nails, pacing, fidgeting—can reveal a lot.
- Telling: He felt out of place.
- Showing: He hovered near the door, one hand gripping the strap of his bag like a lifeline.
Keep your characters active in their world, and emotions will naturally shine through.
5. Focus on Specifics
Vague descriptions lead to telling. Specifics make the scene come alive.
- Telling: The house was messy.
- Showing: Pizza boxes teetered on the edge of the coffee table, and a sock dangled from the ceiling fan.
Zoom in. Use concrete details that spark an image in your reader’s mind.
🧠 When Telling Is Okay
“Telling” isn’t evil—it has its place, especially for:
- Transitions or time jumps
- Summarizing unimportant details
- Creating narrative distance
- Streamlining pacing
The key is balance. Use telling when necessary, and show when the moment demands emotional depth, character growth, or tension.
📝 Try This Writing Exercise:
Choose a telling sentence and rewrite it by showing the emotion or action.
Example:
- Telling: She was scared.
- Showing: She froze, her breath caught halfway in her chest, and her eyes darted toward the hallway as footsteps echoed closer.
Practice rewriting 3–5 telling sentences and see how they evolve into more vivid scenes.
💬 Final Thoughts
“Show, don’t tell” isn’t about eliminating all exposition. It’s about choosing which moments deserve the spotlight. When you show, you invite readers to feel, imagine, and connect. That’s where the magic happens.
So next time you’re writing a scene, pause and ask yourself:
Can I show this instead?
Happy writing^_^
—
Want more tips like this? Follow along for prompts, journal ideas, and creative inspiration just for writers. Also If you want Books to check out for writing, Check out my Page Resource Books.
Sara's Writing Sanctuary 