Mastering the Art of Showing, Not Telling

Bring your writing to life with vivid imagery and action. Let’s practice this essential skill.

Want your writing to leap off the page? “Show, don’t tell” sounds like a cliché, but it’s the secret to storytelling that sticks with readers.

Telling is like watching a slide presentation of vacation photos instead of stepping onto the beach. Sure, you know what happened, but you’re not there feeling the sun, hearing the waves, or tasting the salt in the air.

For example: “She was sad because her friend moved away.”

That’s the skeleton of the story, but where’s the heart? Readers don’t want summaries; they want to feel like they’re right there, in the action. Compare it to this:

“She sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the unopened moving box in the corner. Her shoulders shook as fat tears dripped onto her crumpled plane ticket.”

Which version keeps you hooked? The second immerses you in the moment by helping you understand how the character feels. Showing adds emotion, texture, and life to your writing. It’s how you make readers care.

Want to master this essential skill? Keep reading for actionable tips and an exercise to help you practice.