Showing vs. Telling: Understanding the Difference and Why It Matters in Writing

 

When we talk about writing well, one phrase you’ll often hear is “show, don’t tell.” It’s a common piece of advice, but what exactly does it mean? And why is it so important for writers?

In this article, we’ll explore the concept of showing versus telling, explain how each works, and provide tips on how to use showing effectively to make your writing more vivid and engaging.

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What Does “Showing” Mean in Writing?

Showing means presenting information in a way that allows readers to experience the story, scene, or idea through sensory details, actions, and dialogue. Instead of simply stating facts or emotions, you paint a picture with words so that readers can visualize and feel what’s happening.

Showing invites readers to draw their own conclusions, making the experience immersive and memorable.

Example of Showing:

Instead of writing:

• “Sarah was angry.”

You show Sarah’s anger like this:

• “Sarah slammed the door and clenched her fists, her eyes flashing as she stared down the room.”

Here, you don’t say outright that Sarah is angry—you demonstrate it through her behavior and body language. Readers can see and feel her anger without being told directly.

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What Does “Telling” Mean in Writing?

Telling, on the other hand, is more straightforward. It means stating facts, emotions, or information directly, without much detail or sensory description.

Telling delivers information quickly and plainly, but it often results in a flat or less engaging reading experience because it leaves less for the reader to imagine or feel.

Example of Telling:

• “The weather was cold and miserable.”

• “John felt nervous about the meeting.”

These sentences give information directly but don’t evoke much feeling or imagery.

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Why Is Showing Generally Preferred Over Telling?

Showing is often favored in storytelling and creative writing because it:

1. Creates Vivid Imagery: It helps readers visualize scenes and characters, making the story come alive.

2. Engages Emotions: Readers connect emotionally when they see actions and reactions rather than just being told about feelings.

3. Adds Depth: Showing can reveal character traits, mood, and atmosphere in subtle, nuanced ways.

4. Encourages Reader Involvement: Readers become active participants, interpreting clues and imagining the story world.

In contrast, telling can sometimes feel like a summary or a quick report that keeps readers at arm’s length.

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When Is Telling Useful?

While showing is powerful, telling does have its place. Sometimes, telling is the better choice because it:

• Conveys information quickly: When you need to move the story forward or summarize background details, telling is more efficient.

• Avoids unnecessary detail: Over-describing every moment can slow down the pace.

• Clarifies facts: Some things are best stated plainly to avoid confusion.

For example, a brief telling sentence like “It was a cold winter” can set the scene quickly without bogging down the narrative.

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How to Balance Showing and Telling

Mastering writing means knowing when to show and when to tell. Here are some guidelines to help you strike the right balance:

1. Show Important Moments

Use showing for key scenes that reveal character emotions, conflict, or turning points. This draws readers into the heart of the story.

2. Tell When Speed Is Needed

Use telling to summarize less important details or to transition between scenes. This keeps the pace brisk.

3. Use Sensory Details and Actions

When showing, include sights, sounds, smells, textures, and movements. These details immerse the reader.

4. Combine Showing and Telling

Sometimes, a sentence or paragraph can include both:

• Telling: “Maria was tired after the long day.”

• Showing: “Her eyelids drooped and her steps slowed as she dragged herself through the door.”

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Examples to Illustrate

Telling Only

• “Mark was sad and lonely.”

Showing Only

• “Mark sat on the park bench, watching couples walk by hand-in-hand. He hugged his coat tighter and stared at the cold pavement.”

Balanced Approach

• “Mark was sad after the breakup. He sat alone on the park bench, watching couples walk by hand-in-hand, hugging his coat tighter against the chill.”

The balanced example gives a quick emotional summary but also uses showing to deepen the scene.

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Practice Tips for Showing vs. Telling

• Rewrite telling sentences: Take a sentence that tells an emotion or fact, and try rewriting it to show through action or description.

• Use sensory language: Ask yourself what a character sees, hears, smells, feels, or tastes in the moment.

• Focus on dialogue and body language: Characters’ words and movements can reveal feelings and intentions without explicitly stating them.

• Read authors known for vivid writing: Notice how they use showing to draw readers in.

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Conclusion

Understanding the difference between showing and telling is essential for effective writing. Showing brings your story and characters to life by engaging the reader’s senses and emotions. Telling, while less immersive, is useful for efficiently conveying facts or moving the story along.

By learning when to show and when to tell, you can create writing that is both clear and captivating, holding readers’ attention and making your message resonate.