How to Show, Not Tell: The Complete Writing Guide

Summary

This script delves into the art of 'showing, not telling' in writing, illustrating the difference between conveying emotions and facts directly versus immersing readers in the narrative. It emphasizes the importance of engaging readers through vivid details, concrete actions, and sensory experiences, rather than relying on summary statements. The discussion includes practical advice on enhancing writing with specific examples and contrasts from literature, aiming to help writers create a more immersive and emotionally resonant storytelling experience.

Takeaways

• 📚 Show, don't tell is a core principle in writing that emphasizes the importance of dramatizing the narrative rather than summarizing it.
• 🔍 Telling is not inherently bad; it can be useful for conveying time passage or important facts without unnecessary detail.
• 🌱 The balance between showing and telling varies and depends on the genre and the needs of the narrative.
• 🎨 Good writing should invite the reader to visualize the scene and experience emotions, rather than being instructed how to feel.
• 🧩 The 'two plus two' theory by Andrew Stanton suggests that storytelling should involve the audience in piecing together the narrative.
• 📖 The origins of 'show, don’t tell' are rooted in the rise of realism in literature, aiming to impersonalize the narrator and dramatize action.
• 🤔 To effectively show emotions, use evidence and avoid relying solely on body language or abstract descriptions.
• 🌟 Replace abstract concepts with concrete details that invoke the senses and help readers interpret the atmosphere or emotions on their own.
• 🗣️ Dialogue can be a powerful tool for showing character emotions and intentions, provided it is authentic and not overly expository.
• 👀 Filter observations through the narrative voice to create a deeper connection with the point-of-view character and their experiences.
• ✍️ Revising drafts should include highlighting parts that need more vivid details and replacing vague descriptions with specific sensory details.

Q & A

What is the main issue with the initial passage about the girl and the wilderness?

The main issue is that the passage relies too much on telling rather than showing. It states the girl's emotions and the characteristics of the environment without providing evidence or details that allow the reader to experience these elements firsthand.

What does the phrase 'Show, don’t tell' mean in the context of writing?

The phrase 'Show, don’t tell' is a piece of advice often given in the writing community that encourages writers to dramatize the story through actions, dialogue, and sensory details rather than summarizing or directly stating the emotions, thoughts, or events.

Why is it not always necessary to 'show' instead of 'tell' in writing?

It's not always necessary to 'show' because all novels are a blend of telling and showing. Telling can be useful for quickly conveying the passage of time, presenting important facts, or when the details are not crucial to the story, thus avoiding unnecessary descriptions and maintaining a good pace.

What is the difference between 'telling' and 'showing' according to K.M. Weiland?

K.M. Weiland differentiates 'telling' as summarizing the story, while 'showing' dramatizes it. This means that showing involves the reader more by providing a vivid and immersive experience, whereas telling gives a more general overview without engaging the reader deeply.

How does the opening of 'The Secret Garden' by Frances Hodgson Burnett exemplify 'telling' supported by 'showing'?

In the opening of 'The Secret Garden', the author tells us that Mary Lennox is an unpleasant-looking child who has always been ill. This telling is immediately supported by showing her thin face, body, light hair, and sour expression, as well as the reasons for her appearance, such as being born in India and her constant ill health.

What does Pixar writer and director Andrew Stanton propose in his TED Talk 'The clues to a great story'?

Andrew Stanton proposes the unifying theory of 'two plus two', suggesting that storytellers should make the audience put things together themselves rather than giving them the complete picture. This approach encourages audience engagement and problem-solving, making the storytelling experience more inclusive and satisfying.

What is the significance of the 'well-organized absence of information' in storytelling according to Stanton?

The 'well-organized absence of information' draws the audience in by stimulating their natural problem-solving instincts. It leaves room for the audience to deduce and infer, making them feel included in the story's development and maintaining their interest.

What are some practical strategies for stronger 'showing' in writing?

Some strategies for stronger 'showing' include using evidence to support claims, replacing abstract concepts with concrete details, substituting vague descriptions with specific sensory details, avoiding reliance on body language alone, showing emotion through dialogue, and filtering observations through the narrative voice.

How can dialogue be used effectively to 'show' a character's emotions or personality?

Dialogue can be used effectively to 'show' a character's emotions or personality by having characters express themselves through their words, tone, and the context of their speech, rather than directly stating their feelings or intentions.

What is the importance of filtering observations through the narrative voice?

Filtering observations through the narrative voice allows the reader to feel more connected to the point-of-view character by experiencing the world and events through their unique perspective, emotions, and thoughts.

How does the advice 'show, don’t tell' relate to the literary movement of realism?

The advice 'show, don’t tell' is related to the literary movement of realism in that both aim to present stories with a sense of authenticity and immersion. Realism sought to impersonalize the narrator and dramatize the action, which aligns with the idea of showing the story through detailed and honest depictions of ordinary life.

What are some examples of 'telling' that can be replaced with 'showing' to create a stronger narrative?

Examples of 'telling' that can be replaced with 'showing' include stating a character's emotions directly (e.g., 'She was angry'), describing a character's thoughts in a general way (e.g., 'He realized'), or using opinion-related adjectives (e.g., 'beautiful' or 'strange') without providing the sensory details that allow the reader to experience these descriptions firsthand.

How can a writer determine when to 'tell' and when to 'show' in their writing?

A writer can determine when to 'tell' and when to 'show' by considering the importance of the information or scene to the narrative. Unimportant moments, summaries, and some aspects of world-building may be effectively told, while emotions, sensations, and character thoughts are usually better shown for a more immersive experience.