The Importance of "Show, Don't Tell"

Hello, my fellow writers and authors! Today, I want to show you one of the best techniques you can implement into your own writing."Show, don't tell" is one of the golden rules for writers. To enhance your writing, keep this thought in mind as you tell your story.

This quote from Anton Chekhov really demonstrates this principle: "Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass."

What is "Show, Don't Tell"

"Show, don't tell" advises a writer to include more sensory details surrounding characters and settings. Using vivid verbs and descriptive language can not only enhance your writing but also influence your reader's perception of your characters and settings.

Sometimes it's difficult to implement vivid verbs into our own writing, but I got you covered. Check out my blog post about vivid verbs!

How to Use "Show, Don't Tell" in Your Own Writing

One of my favorite ways to use "show, don't tell" is through character description. This technique can be confusing and take some practice, especially since descriptive writing comes more naturally to some people than it does to others. For me, however, I've had to practice and practice to get better at descriptive writing, but it's so worth it. With descriptive language, you are drawing your reader deeper into your story, creating a connection of empathy with your audience. When you're using this practice for character description, instead of telling your reader, "(Insert your character's name) was afraid," show your character's emotions through vivid description.

Example: "(Insert your character's name) felt their heart beating out of their chest. Bang, bang, bang. The hammering of their heart imitated their shaking hands. A nervous sweat glistened on their forehead as they resolved to face their fears."

Instead of telling your reader that your character is afraid, or experiencing any emotion, show them how it affects your character. Strong and vivid description uses all the senses, putting your reader in the place of your character.

Here's another example of "show, don't tell" from The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood:

I once had a garden. I can remember the smell of the turned earth, the plump shapes of bulbs held in the hands, fullness, the dry rustle of seeds through the fingers. Time could pass more swiftly that way. Sometimes the Commander’s Wife has a chair brought out, and just sits in it, in her garden. From a distance it looks like peace.

Notice how many senses are mentioned in this paragraph: smell, touch, and sight. Her vivid descriptions of the garden place the reader there, smelling the earth and feeling the emotion of Offred wanting to go back to simpler times. This one paragraph shows the reader so much, and that should be your goal in your writing. You want to place your reader into your character's shoes.

Showing will always invite your reader into your story; whereas, telling will rob your reader of being able to discover the world and characters you've created.

Tips to Help You with "Show, Don't Tell"

Now that you've seen some practical examples of"show, don't tell," let me give you some quick tips on how you can incorporate this principle into your writing.

1. Use your character's senses

I touched on this earlier, so I won't spend too much time on this point, but the more you describe how your character feels or what they smell, touch, see, or hear, the more your audience will be able to discover your settings throughout your story. Creating a strong sense of setting is what transports readers right into your story.

2. Limit your use of adverbs

As Stephen King mentions in his book On Writing, A Memoir of the Craft:

Adverbs … are words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They’re the ones that usually end in -ly. Adverbs, like the passive voice, seem to have been created with the timid writer in mind. … With adverbs, the writer usually tells us he or she is afraid he/she isn’t expressing himself/herself clearly, that he or she is not getting the point or the picture across.

Unfortunately, adverbs aren't as descriptive as the majority of vivid verbs. It's all about choosing the right and most descriptive way to say something. For example, I could write: "Johnny walked slowly,"

however, there is a way to write this using better and more descriptive language.

Using "show, don't tell": Johnny lumbered towards me, sluggish from a long day's work."

As a writer, you have a responsibility to give meaning to every action your character is portraying, so use vivid verbs instead of adverbs!

3. Use dialogue

Another great way to implement "show, don't tell" is through dialogue. Your character's dialogue should always be intentional. Use dialogue to not only move your story along but also to describe your setting and give insight into your character's personality and tendencies. Your character's speech says a lot about them. Do they have quick witty responses, or do they choose their words carefully? Are they sure of themselves when they talk or are they timid and shy? There's so much you can show your audience with how you write your dialogues.

In conclusion, this technique is essential in inviting your reader into your story. "Show, don't tell" incorporates the senses, strong and descriptive language, vivid verbs, and intentional dialogue. I hope these tips are helpful to you as you continue learning new ways to enhance and develop your writing style.

For more writing tricks and tips, follow my blog and Instagram page, @thepoetscorner_! Happy Writing!