Showing not telling examples in your writing
By rhiannon richardson
editor, published author, and writing teacher.
Showing not telling examples can be hard to come by. Writers often hear the phrase “show, don’t tell” but not everyone knows what it means. Showing not telling is an effective writing technique that uses detail-oriented descriptions to engage readers and illustrate the story better than mere facts or statements. Showing not telling examples are the most effective way of explaining how you can use it in your own stories.
Showing Not Telling Examples
Let’s look at some showing not telling examples so we can understand this concept better. Instead of saying “She felt sad," you could say something like, “Her backpack full of half-done assignments felt heavier with each disappointing glance for her teachers."
Or, instead of saying “He was angry," you could write something like “He couldn’t believe they all went out without him. He was the friend who had brought them all together! If he hadn’t introduced them, they wouldn’t even know each other! And now they were going to his favorite restaurant when he had to work? How dare they!"
As these showing not telling examples demonstrate, sensory details and specific thoughts—rendered in interiority—help bring characters and scenes alive on the page and make them easier to relate to.
In summary, your goal is to study showing not telling examples because they will help you to convey emotions and sensory details through description instead of just stating things directly. This technique helps readers connect with characters and stories on a deeper level because they can imagine scenes more vividly in their minds
The next time you read a published work, read like a writer and see if you can find some more showing not telling examples yourself.
Showing Not Telling Examples Defined
Showing not telling is a way of effectively conveying information or emotions through description (read more on how to describe emotion), rather than simply stating them directly. Here are some showing not telling examples:
If you are writing a story about a character who is feeling depressed, instead of saying "He was feeling depressed," you could write something that comes from that character’s specific personality and circumstance, like "This was worse than the time he missed the three-pointer and let the whole team down.” This sentence conveys the emotion of feeling depressed without explicitly stating it. We get sadness or regret or longing without those telling words appearing on the page.
The Benefits of Showing Not Telling
Showing not telling can be incredibly powerful for writers because it helps readers connect with characters and stories on a deeper level. By providing detailed descriptions, readers can paint clearer pictures in their minds and become more invested in the story overall. Furthermore, showing not telling examples allow writers to create more vivid scenes that are full of emotion and characterization—all without having to resort to cliches or excessive adjectives.
craft your best story
Do you want to tell a compelling story that resonates with readers? Let author and editor Rhiannon Richardson help you take your writing to the next level. With her expertise in middle grade, young adult, picture book, and memoir, she can guide you to your best story.
