Show Don't Tell: Master the Golden Rule of Fiction Writing

"Show, don't tell" is the most quoted advice in fiction writing—and the most misunderstood. Many writers know they should "show," but struggle to understand what that actually means in practice.

What Does "Show Don't Tell" Really Mean?

Telling gives readers information directly:

"Sarah was angry."

Showing lets readers discover information through evidence:

"Sarah slammed the door so hard the picture frames rattled on the wall."

The difference? Showing engages readers' senses and emotions, making them active participants in discovering the story.

Why Showing Works Better

When you show instead of tell, you:

Create emotional connection: Readers feel Sarah's anger rather than just knowing about it

Respect your reader's intelligence: You let them draw conclusions

Make scenes vivid and memorable: Specific details stick in readers' minds

Build trust: You demonstrate rather than assert

The Five Senses Technique

The easiest way to show is through sensory details:

Instead of: "The restaurant was busy."

Try: "Silverware clinked against plates while conversations hummed over the sizzle of the kitchen grill."

Instead of: "He was nervous."

Try: "His palms left damp prints on his jeans as he wiped them for the third time."

Character Actions Reveal Everything

What characters do matters more than what you say about them:

Telling: "Marcus was generous."

Showing: "Marcus quietly slipped a twenty into the homeless man's cup while pretending to tie his shoe."

Telling: "Elena was suspicious."

Showing: "Elena positioned herself where she could watch both the front door and her husband's face."

Internal Thoughts vs. Emotions

Don't tell us a character feels something—show us their thoughts:

Instead of: "Tom felt guilty about lying."

Try: "Tom's story about working late sounded hollow even to his own ears. He couldn't meet his wife's eyes."

When Telling Is Actually Better

Yes, sometimes you should tell:

Transitions: "Three weeks later, the results arrived."

Minor details: "The meeting was boring" (if the boredom isn't plot-relevant)

Summary: "They spent the summer traveling through Europe"

Pacing: Sometimes you need to speed things up

The Emotion-Action Connection

Every emotion has physical manifestations. Learn these:

Fear: Shallow breathing, cold sweat, muscle tension

Love: Warmth, dilated pupils, unconscious mirroring

Anger: Clenched jaw, heat, tunnel vision

Sadness: Heavy limbs, tight chest, difficulty focusing

Practice Exercise

Take this telling sentence: "Jennifer was embarrassed when she realized everyone was staring at her."

Now show it:

"Heat crept up Jennifer's neck as she noticed the sudden quiet. Twenty pairs of eyes fixed on her, and she realized her question had been louder than intended."

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Over-showing minor details: Not every emotion needs a paragraph of physical description

2. Forgetting context: Make sure your "showing" is clear enough

3. All show, no tell: Some information can be efficiently told

4. Clichéd showing: Avoid overused expressions like "heart racing" or "butterflies in stomach"

The Bottom Line

Showing isn't about eliminating all telling—it's about choosing the right tool for each moment. When something matters to your story's emotional impact, show it. When you're providing necessary but minor information, telling is fine.

Your readers want to experience your story, not just learn about it. Give them that experience.