A picture paints a thousand words - Frederick R. Barnard

As a writer, you would have heard the term show, dont tell but do you know what it means?

It took years before I understood it, and all because other writers kept saying it, but never explained what it meant. Perhaps they didnt understand either.

When we talk about show we are suggesting that you dont give a step-by-step instruction of what is taking place. Instead, use your words to explain without actually telling.

Hmmm thats doesnt help much, does it?

Here is an example of telling

Jennifer was angry at Pete. She climbed into her car, put the keys into the ignition, and turned on the engine. She went very fast and almost had an accident. It shook her up a lot.

Now heres the same thing using showing

How could Pete have done that? Jennifer slammed the car door behind her. The countryside was beautiful, but in her haste it was just a blur. Jennifers heart-rate doubled and she pulled to the side. She hadnt seen the truck coming.

Jennifer is angry, but did I tell you that in actual words? No, but you understand it anyway. And I didnt tell you she was driving very fast either, but she must be for the countryside to be a blur. Neither did I tell you that the truck nearly hit her car, but you know that it happened for the words Ive used.

Showing is a much better way of portraying a story, and helps your reader to relate.

Lets look at another example:

This is telling:

Christine sat at the very edge of her chair. Very got angrier by the minute. Finally she stood up and faced her accusers.

This is showing:

Christine edged closer and closer. How could they think that? Finally she could take it no more; she stood and had her say.

You will also note that the showing examples are generally more interesting to read, and not so stilted.

I am a very visual reader, and so write in the same manner. Id much prefer to have my readers visualising the scene, rather than think of them simply reading words.

Which one would you like your readers to be?

Cheryl Wright is an award-winning Australian author, freelance journalist, and editor.

Cheryl Wright
http://writer2writer.com/