showdonttell

Show, don’t tell is a writing technique that emphasizes conveying meaning through actions, sensory details, and dialogue rather than through explicit statements. Rather than declaring a character’s emotion or a scene’s importance, the writer presents observable cues and events that allow readers to infer meaning.

How it works involves using concrete specifics and active observation. Writers employ sensory details (sights, sounds, smells, textures), show character behavior and reactions, and let dialogue carry subtext. For example, instead of saying “she was anxious,” a writer might describe tapping a foot, avoiding eye contact, or checking the clock while a door creaks. Subtle cues and contextual clues invite readers to infer motives, moods, and stakes.

Applications span fiction, screenwriting, and narrative nonfiction. In fiction and film, showing creates immediacy and immersion by anchoring emotions in scenes and interactions. In narrative nonfiction, showing can illustrate events through firsthand descriptions and representative details. The technique often works alongside occasional telling, especially for summary information, transitions, or background.

Guidance and caveats include balancing show and tell, as excessive showing can slow pacing or become overly ornate, while too much telling can feel flat or didactic. Effective use typically involves choosing pivotal moments to show vividly and using concise narration for less crucial information. The principle is a commonly taught element of modern writing pedagogy, guiding writers to let readers experience scenes through action and perception rather than through overt exposition.