Mastering "Show, Don’t Tell": A Practical Guide for Writers
We’ve all heard it: “Show, don’t tell.” It’s one of the most repeated pieces of writing advice out there—but what does it really mean, and how do you actually apply it in your writing?
Whether you’re a new writer or a published author, mastering this craft technique can elevate your storytelling and bring your characters and world to life. In this post, we’ll break it down, show (not just tell!) examples, and give you practical tools to strengthen your scenes.
What Does “Show, Don’t Tell” Really Mean?
In essence, telling gives the reader information outright, while showing invites the reader to infer, experience, and feel it through actions, senses, and dialogue.
🗣 Telling is like saying: “She was angry.”
🎬 Showing is: “Her jaw clenched. She slammed the mug down so hard coffee splashed onto the counter.”
Why does this matter? Because readers don’t want to be told how a character feels—they want to experience it with them.
When to Show vs. When to Tell
Let’s be clear: “Show, don’t tell” isn’t a rule—it’s a tool.
✅ Use showing when:
You want to create emotional depth
You’re writing a key character moment
You’re building suspense or tension
You want the reader to feel immersed
✅ Use telling when:
You need to transition quickly
You're summarizing less important details
You want to control pacing or time jumps
The real art is knowing when to use each. Great writing balances both.
Common Examples of Telling—and How to Fix Them
Let’s walk through some everyday “telling” moments and how you can upgrade them.
❌ Telling:
“John was nervous.”
✅ Showing:
“John wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans and glanced at the clock for the third time in five minutes.”
❌ Telling:
“It was a beautiful day.”
✅ Showing:
“The sun spilled golden light over the quiet street, and birds chattered in the swaying trees.”
❌ Telling:
“She felt lonely.”
✅ Showing:
“She stared at the empty chair across from her, stirring cold tea she didn’t plan to drink.”
5 Quick Techniques to Help You "Show" More Effectively
Use Specific Sensory Detail
What does the character see, hear, smell, touch, or taste?Body Language & Internal Reaction
Emotions show up in the body: fidgeting, clenching fists, pacing, nausea, etc.Dialogue & Subtext
What a character says vs. what they mean is a goldmine for showing emotion.Symbolism & Environment
A darkening sky, a broken glass, a withered plant—use setting to echo inner states.Action Beats Instead of Adjectives
Let the character do something instead of being something.
Practice Time: Try It Yourself
Take these “telling” lines and rewrite them to “show” the emotion or action.
“He was furious.”
“She was heartbroken.”
“They were best friends.”
“The room was messy.”
“The teacher was strict.”
Want feedback? Share your rewrites in the comments!
Final Thought: Show, Don’t Tell, Is About Reader Engagement
The heart of “showing” is respect for your reader’s imagination. You’re not just telling them a story—you’re inviting them into it. You’re saying, Trust me, I’ll guide you. Feel what the character feels. See what they see. Believe what they believe.
So the next time you catch yourself writing “She was sad,” pause. Ask:
What does sadness look like? Sound like? Feel like?
Then paint the picture.
📌 BONUS: Downloadable Cheat Sheet
Want a printable list of 50 emotions and how to show them through actions and dialogue? Download the Show, Don’t Tell Cheat Sheet: https://www.publacklibrary.org/shop/p/shoe-dont-tell-writers-guide
🗨️ Let’s Talk
What’s the hardest part about showing instead of telling in your writing? Do you have a favorite example of an author who nails it? Drop your thoughts or questions below!
