Show, Don't Tell Writing Technique | EasyTeaching

Summary

The video script emphasizes the 'show, don't tell' technique in creative writing, contrasting direct statements with descriptive language that engages readers. It illustrates the difference through examples, such as 'Gavin's stomach growled' versus 'Gavin was hungry.' The script offers strategies to implement this technique, including using body language to convey emotions, describing settings to show character interactions, choosing meaningful details, and utilizing dialogue to reveal personality. It also advises on the balanced use of showing and telling to avoid overly verbose writing.

Takeaways

• 📚 Show, Don't Tell is a fundamental technique in creative writing that enhances storytelling by making readers infer emotions and details.
• 🗣️ Telling in writing is characterized by direct statements of information, like 'Gavin was hungry,' which can feel passive and distant.
• 🎨 Showing in writing involves the use of descriptive language, actions, and dialogue to bring the story to life, creating a more immersive experience.
• 🌟 Examples of showing include 'Gavin's stomach growled loudly as he eyed the freshly baked donuts,' which is more engaging than simple telling.
• 🤔 The difference between showing and telling can be seen in the way information is presented—telling summarizes while showing describes and immerses.
• 🧘‍♂️ Strategy 1: Describe emotions through body language instead of labeling them, which makes the reader understand the character's feelings more deeply.
• 🏡 Strategy 2: Describe the setting and show how characters interact with it, which helps to create a vivid and eerie atmosphere.
• 🎼 Strategy 3: Choose details carefully to show more about characters, like a well-worn guitar in a musician's room, which tells more about their passion.
• 🗣️ Strategy 4: Use dialogue to show personality and feelings, as the way characters speak can reveal much about their character.
• ⚖️ Balance is key—overusing the show technique can make writing long-winded, and sometimes telling can serve as a useful shortcut.
• 📝 Encouragement to practice these strategies by rewriting paragraphs to show rather than tell, and to share work for feedback.

Q & A

What is the main difference between 'showing' and 'telling' in creative writing?

In creative writing, 'showing' involves using descriptive language, actions, and dialogue to bring the story to life, making the reader infer emotions and other information. 'Telling', on the other hand, presents information directly by stating it, often feeling like a summary of events rather than an immersive story.

Why might writing that tells be considered passive and distant?

Writing that tells can be seen as passive and distant because it simply provides a summary of events without engaging the reader's senses or emotions, leading to a less memorable reading experience.

Can you give an example of how to show instead of tell that a character is hungry?

Instead of stating 'Gavin was hungry,' you could show it by writing 'Gavin's stomach growled loudly as he eyed the freshly baked donuts,' which uses descriptive language and action to convey his hunger.

What are some strategies to effectively show emotions through body language in writing?

Strategies include describing physical reactions such as yawning, sighing, glancing at a watch for boredom, using expressive hand gestures and laughing for excitement, sweating and rapid breathing for fear, and fidgeting or pacing for nervousness.

How can describing the setting and character interaction with it help in showing rather than telling?

Describing the setting and how characters interact with it can create a vivid picture in the reader's mind, making the setting a character itself and enhancing the story's atmosphere, as opposed to simply stating the setting's characteristics.

Why is it important to carefully choose details when showing rather than telling in writing?

Carefully chosen details can reveal more about characters and settings, making the narrative richer and more engaging. It helps to avoid unnecessary information and focus on elements that contribute to the story's depth and the reader's understanding.

How can using dialogue effectively show a character's personality and feelings?

Dialogue can show a character's personality and feelings by reflecting their speech patterns, choice of words, tone, and the context in which they speak, providing insights into their emotions and character traits.

What is the potential downside of overusing the 'show, don't tell' technique in writing?

Overusing the 'show, don't tell' technique can make writing long-winded and difficult to follow. It's important to strike a balance between showing and telling to maintain clarity and pace in the narrative.

Can you provide an example of how to improve a paragraph by rewriting it to show instead of tell?

Sure, instead of writing 'He was feeling bored,' you could improve it by showing: 'He yawned lazily and glanced at the clock perched at the water's edge, his gaze drifting with each tick-tock.'

What is the advice given for practicing the 'show, don't tell' technique in one's own writing?

The advice is to try using one or more of the discussed strategies to write a paragraph or two. If stuck for ideas, one could attempt to rewrite an existing paragraph to incorporate showing instead of telling.

How can readers share their work after practicing the 'show, don't tell' technique?

Readers are encouraged to share their work in the comments section after applying the 'show, don't tell' technique to their writing.