Improve your Writing: Show, Not Tell

Summary

In this engVid writing lesson, the instructor emphasizes the importance of 'showing, not telling' in writing to make it more vivid and engaging. Examples are given to demonstrate how to transform simple statements into descriptive narratives that paint a picture for the reader. The lesson covers various scenarios, from describing a person's emotions to portraying environmental conditions, urging writers to use specific details and active verbs to create a more immersive experience.

Takeaways

• 🖌️ Show, don't tell: Use descriptive language to paint a picture instead of stating facts directly.
• 😓 Avoid simple statements: Replace generic phrases like 'The man was stressed' with vivid descriptions.
• 🔍 Pick out details: Use specific actions or objects to convey emotions or states, such as 'The man was fidgeting and biting his nails'.
• 🏠 Describe the scene: Instead of saying 'The room was messy,' describe the items that make it messy, like 'dirty clothes strewn all over the floor'.
• 🚶‍♀️ Use active verbs: Choose verbs that convey action and emotion, like 'strode' to show confidence.
• 👀 Show reactions: Describe how others react to a person or event to emphasize their characteristics.
• 📚 Be specific: Use precise details to illustrate a point, such as 'the top drawer of his cabinet'.
• 📣 Use sensory details: Describe what can be seen, heard, or felt to make the writing more immersive.
• ☀️ Describe weather effects: Instead of just saying 'It was hot,' show the effects, like 'The sun was melting the asphalt'.
• 💨 Show the impact: For windy conditions, describe the visible effects, like 'The umbrella was bent out of shape'.
• 😂 Convey emotions: Instead of stating 'He found it funny,' show the extent of his amusement, like 'He was rolling on the floor in hysterics'.
• 🏰 Create drama: For events like 'The castle was captured,' describe the dramatic actions or scenes to engage the reader.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the writing lesson in the transcript?

The main focus of the writing lesson is the skill of 'showing, not telling,' which aims to transform writing by adding more description and flavor to it.

Why is it considered better to 'show' rather than 'tell' in writing?

Showing rather than telling makes writing more engaging and vivid by providing details that allow readers to visualize the scene or character, rather than simply stating facts.

What is an example given in the transcript for illustrating that a man is stressed?

Instead of stating 'The man was stressed,' the transcript suggests describing actions like 'The man was fidgeting' and 'biting his nails' to convey stress.

How does the transcript suggest describing a messy room?

The transcript advises against simply saying 'The room was messy.' Instead, it suggests describing items like 'a leftover pizza, dirty clothes strewn on the floor, and dirty plates and cups' to show the mess.

What action does the transcript recommend to show a woman's confidence?

The transcript recommends using an action like 'She strode into the room' and describing the reaction of others, such as 'everyone turned their heads to notice her,' to illustrate confidence.

How should one describe a boy's carefulness according to the transcript?

The transcript suggests describing specific actions, such as 'He placed his favorite magazine in the top drawer of his cabinet,' to show carefulness.

What is a more interesting way to describe a full stadium as per the transcript?

A more interesting description could be 'The sound from the stadium was deafening, as the crowd rose up to chant the player's name,' which gives a sense of the stadium being full.

How does the transcript suggest showing that it is hot?

The transcript suggests using descriptive phrases like 'The sun was melting,' 'The sun was burning,' or 'The sun was causing the lady's skin to turn red' to show the heat.

What example is given in the transcript to illustrate a cold environment?

The transcript suggests describing details like 'Drainpipes were freezing' and 'ice was as thick as three inches' to convey the coldness.

How can one effectively show that it is windy in their writing?

The transcript recommends describing the effect on objects, such as 'The umbrella was totally bent out of shape,' to effectively show windiness.

What does the transcript suggest to convey that someone finds something funny?

The transcript suggests using a description like 'He was rolling around the floor in hysterics' to show the intensity of someone finding something funny.

How should one describe the capture of a castle to create a sense of drama?

The transcript recommends using vivid imagery like 'The new flag was hoisted up on high, greeted by a cheer from the crowd' to create a dramatic scene of a castle being captured.