Showing And Not Telling In Writing.

Showing and not telling is a writing technique used to allow the reader to experience a story or
scene through the use of sensory details, rather than being told what is happening.

In simple words, showing allows the reader to experience a story or scene through the use of
sensory details, but telling simply tells the reader exactly what is happening.

How to Show and Not Tell.

Use sensory details

Instead of telling the reader what is happening, describe what the character sees, hears, feels,
smells, and tastes. This will help the reader to feel like they are experiencing the scene
themselves.

Use action verbs

Instead of telling the reader what a character is feeling, show it through their actions. For
example, instead of saying "He was angry," you could say "He slammed his fist on the table."

Use dialogue
Instead of telling the reader what a character is thinking, have them express it through their
words. This can also help to reveal their personality and add depth to the story.

Avoid using adjectives and adverbs

These words can often be used to tell rather than show. Instead of saying "She was a beautiful
woman," you could describe her physical features and allow the reader to form their own
opinion.
Examples

1)
Telling: She was afraid.
Showing: Her heart pounded in her chest and she couldn't stop shaking as she listened to the
footsteps approaching her hiding spot.

2)
Telling: He was angry.
Showing: His face turned red and he clenched his fists as he listened to the insults being hurled
at him.

3)
Telling: The food was delicious.
Showing: The aroma of the spices wafted up to her nostrils as she took a bite of the dish, and
the flavors exploded in her mouth, making her close her eyes in delight.

4)
Telling: The sun was setting.
Showing: The sky turned a beautiful shade of orange and pink as the sun slowly dipped below
the horizon, casting a warm glow over the landscape.

5)
Telling: She was sad.
Showing: Tears streamed down her face and she couldn't bring herself to get out of bed, even
though it was a beautiful day outside.

6)
Telling: He was tired.
Showing: Yawning and rubbing his eyes, he stumbled into the kitchen to start a pot of coffee.

7)
Telling: The weather was hot.
Showing: Sweat dripped down her face as she tried to find a sliver of shade to stand in. The
sun beat down mercilessly on the pavement.

8)
Telling: The hike was challenging.
Showing: His legs burned and his breath came in short gasps as he scrambled up the steep
incline, clinging to tree roots and rocks for support.

9)
Telling: The book was interesting.
Showing: She couldn't put it down, staying up until the early hours of the morning to finish it.
Every page was filled with unexpected twists and turns.

10)
Telling: The movie was scary.
Showing: She covered her eyes during the jump scares and her heart raced as the suspenseful
music crescendoed.

11)
Telling: The view was breathtaking.
Showing: She stood at the edge of the cliff, taking in the panoramic vista of the ocean and the
rolling hills. The sun set in the distance, casting a golden glow over the landscape.

12)
Telling: The music was soothing.
Showing: She closed her eyes and let the melodies wash over her, feeling the tension in her
shoulders start to melt away.

13)
Telling: The food was spicy.
Showing: She reached for her glass of water after taking a bite of the curry, feeling the heat
spread through her mouth and down her throat.

14)
Telling: The party was lively.
Showing: Laughter and chatter filled the room as people danced and mingled, the music
providing a lively backdrop.

I hope these examples give you a better understanding of showing and telling in writing.
Remember to use sensory details and action verbs to bring your writing to life and immerse your
reader into your work.Godspeed!