Words & style · Tip 46 of 82 · 4 min read
Show, Don't Tell: Be a Story Detective
Instead of telling readers how a character feels, leave clues so they can work it out.
Show, don't tell is one of the most famous writing tips in the world. It means: instead of telling your reader something, show them clues so they can figure it out for themselves. Your reader becomes a detective!
Telling vs showing
Okay 😐
Maya was nervous.
Wow! 🤩
Maya's hands were sweaty. She chewed her pencil until it cracked and checked the clock for the fifth time.
In the second sentence, we never say "nervous". But you know Maya is nervous, don't you? You worked it out from the clues. That feels much more exciting for a reader.
Clues you can use
- Body: shaking knees, a big grin, crossed arms, tapping feet
- Actions: slamming a door, hugging a teddy, running away
- Words: what the character says and how they say it
- Face: red cheeks, wide eyes, a wobbly lip
More examples
Okay 😐
The house was old and creepy.
Wow! 🤩
The gate screeched. Ivy crawled over the broken windows, and somewhere inside, a door creaked open by itself.
Okay 😐
Leo was very happy.
Wow! 🤩
Leo jumped so high he nearly hit the ceiling. "YES!" he shouted, spinning his little sister around.