Showing vs. Telling in Writing – What It Really Means (With Examples)
Hello fellow fiction writers.
If you’ve been around writing circles for more than five minutes, you’ve probably heard the advice: “Show, don’t tell.” It’s the most over-quoted (and often least explained) rule in fiction writing.
So, what does “showing versus telling” actually mean? And how do you get it right without turning every paragraph into a purple-prose description of how your hero ties their shoelaces? Let’s break it down with some practical tips, examples, and a few personal “oops” moments.
🎯 What’s the Difference Between Showing and Telling?Telling is when you inform the reader what’s happening.Showing is when you illustrate what’s happening through action, dialogue, or sensory details so the reader experiences it. Think of it this way: telling is like reading a weather report. Showing is stepping outside and feeling the rain hit your face.
✏️ Examples of Showing vs. TellingTelling:
Telling: She was angry.
Showing: Her jaw tightened. She slammed the cup on the counter, sending coffee sloshing over the rim.
Telling: It was cold outside.
Showing: The wind cut through his coat, stinging his ears and numbing his fingertips.
Telling:John was nervous about the interview.
Showing:John’s palms slicked with sweat as he rehearsed answers under his breath, his tie suddenly too tight against his throat.
See the difference? Telling delivers information. Showing makes your reader feel it.
🧠 Why “Show, Don’t Tell” MattersEngagement – Readers are far more invested when they can experience emotions and settings instead of just being told about them.Character depth – Showing reveals personality through behaviour and choices, not just labels.Immersion – Great fiction pulls readers into the story world. Showing does the heavy lifting here.
⚖️ But Wait—Telling Isn’t Always Bad
Here’s the part a lot of writing advice skips: you actually need both.
Imagine if every line of your book was entirely “shown”:
“He walked across the room, one foot in front of the other, the floor creaking beneath his weight, his socks damp from the laundry he’d spilt earlier…”
Ugh. Exhausting. Sometimes it’s perfectly fine (and even necessary) to just tell.
Use telling when:You’re moving quickly through unimportant transitions (“They drove to the airport.”)You need to summarise events to avoid bogging down the pace.You’re giving context or backstory in small doses. Use showing when:Emotions run highYou’re in a key scene that reveals character or conflictYou want readers to connect on a sensory or emotional level
📝 A Personal Oops Moment
In my first novel draft, I thought I was nailing “show, don’t tell.” Instead, I ended up with entire paragraphs describing how my character looked at the floor, then at the wall, then at the door while internally monologuing about the meaning of life. My critique partner circled a page and wrote: “You’ve shown me every blink, but told me nothing.”
Lesson learned: showing isn’t about piling on detail—it’s about choosing the right detail.
🚀 Tips to Balance Showing and TellingHighlight the big moments. Save your showing energy for emotional or plot-heavy scenes.Use body language. A clenched fist or trembling lip goes a long way.Leverage dialogue. What characters say (and how they say it) shows emotion better than adverbs.Sprinkle sensory detail. Don’t just say “the room was old”—show the peeling wallpaper and musty smell.Trust your reader. You don’t need to tell them a character is scared after showing sweaty palms and a racing heartbeat.
🎬 Wrapping It Up
“Show, don’t tell” isn’t about eliminating one in favour of the other—it’s about balance. Telling moves your story along; showing makes your story come alive. Together, they’re the perfect duo for compelling fiction.
Over to you: Have you ever been told your writing was “too much telling”? Or maybe you’ve gone overboard on showing? Share your experience in the comments—I’d love to hear how you’ve tackled it. I personally answer every message.
If you’ve been around writing circles for more than five minutes, you’ve probably heard the advice: “Show, don’t tell.” It’s the most over-quoted (and often least explained) rule in fiction writing.
So, what does “showing versus telling” actually mean? And how do you get it right without turning every paragraph into a purple-prose description of how your hero ties their shoelaces? Let’s break it down with some practical tips, examples, and a few personal “oops” moments.
🎯 What’s the Difference Between Showing and Telling?Telling is when you inform the reader what’s happening.Showing is when you illustrate what’s happening through action, dialogue, or sensory details so the reader experiences it. Think of it this way: telling is like reading a weather report. Showing is stepping outside and feeling the rain hit your face.
✏️ Examples of Showing vs. TellingTelling:
Telling: She was angry.
Showing: Her jaw tightened. She slammed the cup on the counter, sending coffee sloshing over the rim.
Telling: It was cold outside.
Showing: The wind cut through his coat, stinging his ears and numbing his fingertips.
Telling:John was nervous about the interview.
Showing:John’s palms slicked with sweat as he rehearsed answers under his breath, his tie suddenly too tight against his throat.
See the difference? Telling delivers information. Showing makes your reader feel it.
🧠 Why “Show, Don’t Tell” MattersEngagement – Readers are far more invested when they can experience emotions and settings instead of just being told about them.Character depth – Showing reveals personality through behaviour and choices, not just labels.Immersion – Great fiction pulls readers into the story world. Showing does the heavy lifting here.
⚖️ But Wait—Telling Isn’t Always Bad
Here’s the part a lot of writing advice skips: you actually need both.
Imagine if every line of your book was entirely “shown”:
“He walked across the room, one foot in front of the other, the floor creaking beneath his weight, his socks damp from the laundry he’d spilt earlier…”
Ugh. Exhausting. Sometimes it’s perfectly fine (and even necessary) to just tell.
Use telling when:You’re moving quickly through unimportant transitions (“They drove to the airport.”)You need to summarise events to avoid bogging down the pace.You’re giving context or backstory in small doses. Use showing when:Emotions run highYou’re in a key scene that reveals character or conflictYou want readers to connect on a sensory or emotional level
📝 A Personal Oops Moment
In my first novel draft, I thought I was nailing “show, don’t tell.” Instead, I ended up with entire paragraphs describing how my character looked at the floor, then at the wall, then at the door while internally monologuing about the meaning of life. My critique partner circled a page and wrote: “You’ve shown me every blink, but told me nothing.”
Lesson learned: showing isn’t about piling on detail—it’s about choosing the right detail.
🚀 Tips to Balance Showing and TellingHighlight the big moments. Save your showing energy for emotional or plot-heavy scenes.Use body language. A clenched fist or trembling lip goes a long way.Leverage dialogue. What characters say (and how they say it) shows emotion better than adverbs.Sprinkle sensory detail. Don’t just say “the room was old”—show the peeling wallpaper and musty smell.Trust your reader. You don’t need to tell them a character is scared after showing sweaty palms and a racing heartbeat.
🎬 Wrapping It Up
“Show, don’t tell” isn’t about eliminating one in favour of the other—it’s about balance. Telling moves your story along; showing makes your story come alive. Together, they’re the perfect duo for compelling fiction.
Over to you: Have you ever been told your writing was “too much telling”? Or maybe you’ve gone overboard on showing? Share your experience in the comments—I’d love to hear how you’ve tackled it. I personally answer every message.
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