Understanding ‘Show, Don’t Tell’

“Show, don’t tell.” You’ve probably heard it a million times before, haven’t you? This golden rule of writing has been repeated so often that it’s almost become background noise. But don’t dismiss it just yet because, as overused as it might seem, it’s genuinely one of the best pieces of writing advice out there.

Let’s unpack it: What does “show, don’t tell” even mean?

What Is "Show, Don’t Tell"?

Anton Chekhov said it best: “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”

The difference lies in how information is conveyed. Telling prose is straightforward and factual—it simply states what’s happening. It's getting a point across, stating a fact, action, or emotion. While clear, it can feel distant, keeping the reader as a passive observer.

Showing prose, on the other hand, draws readers into the scene, letting them experience it for themselves. It paints vivid mental pictures and stirs emotions, making the act of reading more immersive. In fact, science shows that when we read vivid, descriptive writing, our brains react as if we’re living the experience.

But don’t stress—chances are, you’re already incorporating “showing” into your writing without realising it. And no, you don’t have to always show instead of tell. The trick is knowing when to use each effectively.

When to Tell, Not Show

Does "show, don’t tell" mean you can never tell the reader anything? Absolutely not. Sometimes, telling is faster, cleaner, and more appropriate for the story. As author Jeff Somers puts it, the problem isn’t the advice itself—it’s the misconception that telling is forbidden. Here are a few scenarios where telling works best:

• At the beginning: Starting with a bit of telling prose can orient your reader and provide context. Gradually transition into showing as the story progresses and the reader gets to know your characters.
• Time jumps: If your novel skips ahead a few years, don’t bog down the narrative with unnecessary showing. A simple “Three years later…” will do.
• Narrative summaries: For minor events that don’t impact the plot, a quick summary is often sufficient. For example, “Sue got a taxi to the airport” gets the point across without wasting time showing every little detail - who wants to read about Sue packing her bags, locking up the house, hailing a cab, and the traffic situation anyway?

Finding the balance is key—show what’s important, what you want your readers to experience and feel, and tell the rest.

The Problem with Adverbs

Now, let’s talk about adverbs. Are they the bane of good writing, as Stephen King suggests? Maybe not entirely, but they do often indicate weak, "telling" prose.

Adverbs describe verbs—words like quickly, angrily, carefully. While they’re not inherently bad, they can be vague and lazy. Take this example:

"I hate you,” he said angrily.

Does "said angrily" really put you in the scene? Not quite. It's vague. How is he angry? How does it sound? What’s his body language? What exactly does 'angry' mean in this context? Swapping weak verbs and their adverbs for stronger, more descriptive ones can create a vivid picture:

• "I hate you,” he growled.
• "I hate you,” he bellowed.

Similarly, instead of “He walked slowly,” try verbs like sauntered, crept, or tiptoed. Each paints a unique image, adding depth and specificity.

How to Show Emotions and Descriptions

Want to show emotions or descriptions without resorting to telling? Here’s a simple trick: think about how the emotion or trait manifests in real life and bring those details into your scene.

For example:

• Instead of: “She is tall.”
• Try showing: She ducks to step through a doorway. She crouches for group photos. Her knees graze the dashboard in her compact car.

Another:

• Instead of: “He’s in love.”
• Try showing: He sneaks glances at his partner. His heart races when their hands brush. He finds excuses to talk about them endlessly, even when it’s irrelevant.

One more:

• Instead of: “She’s having a bad day.”
• Try showing: She snaps at her co-worker, her brow furrowed and shoulders tense. Her coffee spills on her papers, and she groans, muttering under her breath.

By focusing on how these emotions or traits affect your characters’ actions, expressions, and environments, you’ll create engaging, dynamic scenes that pull readers in.

Ready to Dive Deeper?

“Show, don’t tell” isn’t about rigidly adhering to one style—it’s about knowing how to use both showing and telling to best serve your story.