How to show and not tell

Welcome to Lesson 1. Here, we dive into one of the fundamental principles of writing: Showing, not telling.

What is "show, don't tell"?

Instead of outright telling your readers how to feel or what's happening, show it through actions and descriptions. This is something that will make your fiction stories more memorable, but will also help your non-fiction writing be more compelling and enable you to better connect with your audience.

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Two examples to illustrate "show, don't tell"

1. Revealing emotions:

Telling: "Barbara received the letter from her sister, and it made her so sad to read it."

Showing: Barbara recognizes her sister's handwriting, she clutches the letter to her chest, and tears begin to fall.

2. Conveying a situation:

Telling: "The day was extremely hot. Bashil felt the heat of the sun on his back..."

Showing: Bashil's t-shirt clung to his back, heavy with sweat. The sun robbed his breath and set the street ablaze.

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Why "Show, Don't Tell" Matters

In fiction, we want readers not just to know but to feel. That's the difference between a good story and a great one.

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Applying "show, don't tell" to characters, settings, and plot

1. Developing characters and relationships

Telling: Barbara felt sad when she saw her sister enter the room.

Showing: Barbara's lip began to tremble as her sister entered the room.

"I can't believe you came back" she whispered.

2. Building tension and emotion:

Telling: Barbara was nervous, she didn't want this to happen.

Showing: Barbara clenched her fists and jaw. She shook her head stubbornly.

3. Advancing the plot:

Telling: Barbara got in the car, started the engine, and drove off.

Showing: "I'm leaving! And don't try to come after me." Barbara said as she climbed into the car. The engine spluttered into life and kicked smoke into the air behind her.

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Try it yourself: Practice makes perfect!

Write three examples where you show, and don't tell. Try a:

• Character-to-character interaction
• Setting description
• A moment when your protagonist experiences a particular emotion

Remember, it's easier said than done, but practice will improve your storytelling skills.

When you show rather than tell in your writing, you can craft compelling characters, build tension, evoke emotions, describe vivid settings, and create more relatable feelings from your reader.

That's a wrap for Lesson One! See you shortly in Lesson Two: "The Power in Pros: How to Write Beautifully."