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telling vs. SHOWING

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51 views

telling vs. SHOWING

Uploaded by

ibrahimchatila95
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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telling vs.

SHOWING
The difference between "telling" and "showing" in writing is crucial for young writers to understand. "Telling" is when
the writer simply states information or facts, while "showing" is when the writer uses descriptive language, actions,
thoughts, and dialogue to convey emotions, situations, and character traits. "Showing" allows readers to infer and
visualize the situation or emotion, making the story more engaging.

Here's a list of writing techniques that can help writers "show" rather than "tell" in their stories:

1. Descriptive Language: Use vivid adjectives, adverbs, and verbs to paint a picture in the reader's mind.
Telling: She was scared.
Showing: Her hands trembled, and her breath came in short, sharp gasps.

2. Dialogue: Let characters speak for themselves to reveal their personalities, emotions, and relationships.
Telling: He was angry at her.
Showing: "How could you do this?" he shouted, his face red with fury.

3. Internal Thoughts: Dive into a character's mind to reveal their feelings, doubts, hopes, and fears.
Telling: She felt guilty.
Showing: Why did I say that? She thought, replaying the moment over and over in her head.

4. Sensory Details: Describe what characters see, hear, touch, taste, and smell.
Telling: The food was delicious.
Showing: The savory aroma of roasted garlic filled the air, and the first bite melted on her tongue, a
perfect blend of salt and spice.

5. Body Language: Use gestures, facial expressions, and physical actions to convey emotions.
Telling: He was nervous.
Showing: He kept tapping his foot, glancing around the room, and biting his lower lip.

6. Metaphors and Similes: Compare one thing to another to create a vivid image or convey a deeper meaning.
Telling: Her love was deep.
Showing: Her love was like the ocean, vast and endless.

7. Setting and Atmosphere: Describe the environment in a way that mirrors or enhances the emotions of the
scene.
Telling: It was a sad day.
Showing: Gray clouds hung low, and a cold drizzle dampened the streets, making everything seem
muted and forlorn.

8. Action: Show what characters are doing to reveal their motivations, feelings, and character traits.
Telling: She was a kind person.
Showing: She knelt down, offering her hand to help the fallen child and brushed the dirt off his knees.

9. Symbolism: Use objects, colors, or actions as symbols to represent deeper meanings or emotions.
Telling: He felt trapped.
Showing: The iron bars of the cage loomed around him, cold and unyielding.

10. Varied Sentence Structure: Use a mix of short, punchy sentences and longer, more descriptive ones to
control pacing and emphasize emotions.
Telling: The situation was tense.
Showing: Every second dragged on, the silence in the room thick and suffocating.
By incorporating these techniques into their writing, writers can create more immersive and emotionally
resonant stories that draw readers in and make them feel connected to the characters and events.

Here's a simple table with examples:

TELLING SHOWING (with technique)

Her eyes brimmed with tears, and she stared blankly at the floor.
She was sad.
(Descriptive Language, Body Language)

The wind whipped through his hair as he blazed past the other
He was a fast runner.
competitors, leaving them in his dust. (Action, Descriptive Language)

Flickering candles cast eerie shadows on the walls, and a distant,


The room was creepy. mournful howl echoed through the silence. (Setting and Atmosphere,
Sensory Details)

They had a heated "Why can't you ever listen?" she shouted, her face red, while he
argument. slammed his fist on the table. (Dialogue, Action)

Each bite of the cake was a symphony of rich chocolate and tangy
The cake tasted amazing. raspberry, melting in her mouth. (Sensory Details, Descriptive
Language)

Day after monotonous day, he watched the clock, feeling like a bird
He felt trapped in his job.
caged away from the open sky. (Metaphor, Internal Thoughts)

Horns honked, street vendors called out their wares, and the constant
The city was bustling. hum of conversation filled the air. (Sensory Details, Setting and
Atmosphere)

She was nervous about her She fidgeted with her notes, her voice shaky as she began, "Good
presentation. morning, everyone." (Body Language, Dialogue)

His jaw dropped, and the newspaper slipped from his grasp, landing
The news shocked him.
with a soft thud on the floor. (Body Language, Action)

Shadows danced between the ancient trees, and an owl's haunting call
The forest was mysterious. added to the forest's enigmatic allure. (Setting and Atmosphere,
Sensory Details)

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