The Art of Showing and Not Telling in Writing

When it comes to writing, one of the most fundamental and crucial skills you must possess, is the art of “showing” and not “telling”.

Hey, telling may sound fun, but trust us, it largely takes away the beauty of whatever message you intend to pass.

Imagine writing a piece that has no effect on your reader, a story completely void of emotions. The outcome will certainly be devastating. It is only fair that you write what your readers can relate to on a personal level. One that evokes deep emotions within your readers—you owe it to your readers because this is the only way to guarantee their loyalty.

Showing, not telling is a concept that often separates mediocre writing from the real deal—compelling storytelling. Most writers claim to be good at what they do, but the result often says otherwise.

But what does it really mean to “show” and not “tell”, and how can you harness this technique to captivate your readers? What separates the debris from the actual grain?

In good faith, and with your best interest in our hearts, we will carefully explore the importance of this unique literary technique and provide practical tips that will help you master the craft of showing in your writing.

Walk with us.

Understanding Show vs. Tell: The Battle of Creativity

We know you are eager for this knowledge, but before diving into the intricacies of compelling, let’s take a moment to understand what this term is.

At its core, “Showing” involves presenting details, actions, and emotions vividly through descriptions, actions, and dialogue. It is the art of allowing your reader to experience the story in a sensory and emotional way.

And telling—the downslide –  is simply providing information, summarising events, or explaining emotions without engaging the reader’s senses or imagination.

You should trust your readers enough to decipher what message you are trying to pass. Don’t give it all away with words, it takes the beauty of the whole writing away, leaving your readers with just empty words.

Imagine you are writing a mystery novel. Instead of telling your readers, “The detective was exhausted,” you could make it more compelling by showing the exhaustion by describing how the detective’s eyes drooped, how each step felt like a thousand pounds, and how he longed for the warmth of his bed.

This is sure to keep your readers captivated, and drawn into the world of adventure your words have created.

Why is Showing Important?

Why? Why?! Why?! Why bother? Why is showing important? Well, I’ll tell you this for free,

• Engages the Reader:

Showing invites your readers to immerse themselves in your story. It allows them to visualise your story’s characters, settings, and events. This forge a deeper connection with the narrative of your story.

Stories are an escape route for many people, away from the challenges of life, and it is only fair to ensure that happens. That they can escape, as simple as that.

• Evoke Emotions:

When you show emotions through a character’s actions, expressions, and inner thoughts, it becomes easier for your readers to empathise with them. People love to take sides at the end of every good story, it makes it more real and relatable. This connection keeps them invested in not just your story, but also in you, as an author.

• Builds Atmosphere:

Do you often find yourself living the story you are reading? How every sad word cut deep in your heart, even though you know it’s just a story? How you find yourself tearing up due to the character’s plight? That’s the power of showing!

Vivid descriptions and sensory details help create a rich atmosphere in your writing, making the setting come alive. This is particularly important in genres like fantasy, sci-fi, and historical fiction.

Techniques for Effective Showing

Here we are! Finally, right? The juicy details at last. I’m sure you are at the edge of your seat by now, eager to know just how you can unleash your inner creativity, and keep your readers spellbound. Hold tight, here we go!

1. Use Descriptive Language

Paint a picture with your words. Engage your reader’s senses with vivid, evocative descriptions. Everyone can say, “It was a gloomy day.” But a true creative who knows the power of showing, not telling, will describe the dark, heavy clouds, the smell of rain in the air, and the sound of distant thunder.

This evokes more emotions in your readers.

2. Show Through Character Actions

Why not spend an ample amount knowing your character before you start writing? Most times, writers don’t know their characters well enough, the reason why they fail to properly communicate this in their story.

To make your characters more compelling through the art of showing, you should reveal your character’s traits, emotions, and intentions through their actions. And this can only be done, when you truly know and connect with your characters. You don’t need too much words.

For instance, if a character is nervous, show them fidgeting, biting their nails, or avoiding eye contact. Don’t let your words ruin the excitement for your readers.

3. Dialogue

Dialogues are the most important way to show and not tell when writing. It is very powerful and when done properly, can give you a masterpiece. Use dialogues to convey subtext and relationships—not random words.

Instead of explaining that two characters are in love, let their words and interaction reveal their emotions. Use dialogues to explain so much with so little. The dialogue passes a greater message than you can ever imagine.

4. Inner Thoughts

The use of inner thoughts is another technique that gets the job done effectively. Show a character’s inner thoughts to provide insights into their emotions and motivations. Inner thoughts are great narrative techniques that help give the reason for your character’s actions without using too many words to explain to your readers.

When you explain, you take away the impact of the action. You deny them ownership of their actions, which leaves your story void of any emotions. Let their actions be theirs by using inner thoughts to vividly show your readers.

Allow readers to get inside the character’s head to understand their perspective.

5. Immerse in Setting

What makes a good story is the setting. Settings, when properly done right, hold the power to transport your readers to any place, and any time. By immersing your readers in the setting of your story, you don’t need too many words to explain anything.

Transport your readers to the story’s setting by describing it in detail. Show your reader the world you have created, and let them explore it by themselves—with their imagination.

6. Let Your Readers Connect the Dots.

Another way to apply the showing not telling technique is to allow your readers to connect the dots themselves. Don’t force decisions on your readers down their throats for them. Whilst it may feel “right” to explain certain scenarios, it’s wise not to fall into that temptation.

Give your readers room to interpret and draw their conclusions. This is the joy of reading. The ability to decipher the codes yourself. Instead of stating the obvious, provide clues and details that allow readers to make inferences.

Conclusion

Here’s an illustration to drive the point home.

Telling: Janet was terrified when she heard the footsteps outside her window.

Showing: As the darkness settled in, Janet’s heart raced, her breath shallow. The rhythmic tap of footsteps on the pavement outside her window sent shivers down her spine.

Shocker, right? The difference between these two scenarios has a tremendous effect on your readers. In the first example, your reader is simply informed of Janet’s fear. In the second, they are drawn into Janet’s experience, feeling the fear alongside her.

Mastering the art of showing and not telling is essential for any writer looking to create engaging and immersive stories. You want your readers to feel the emotions of your character, and with the help of your story, be transported into a world filled with dragons and a lifetime of adventure.

There you have it, the next time you sit down to write, remember that showing is not just a technique; it’s the key to unlocking the real potential of your story.