Show, Don’t Tell: The Golden Rule of Writing (And How to Actually Do It)

If you’ve ever taken a writing course, read a craft book, or gotten feedback from an editor, you’ve probably heard the phrase: “Show, don’t tell.”

But what does that actually mean?

It’s one of the most important (and misunderstood) rules in fiction writing. And today, we’re going to unpack it—clearly, thoroughly, and with real examples—so you can start using this technique to make your stories come alive.

What Does “Show, Don’t Tell” Actually Mean?

In simple terms, “telling” is when you state facts or emotions directly. “Showing” is when you reveal them through action, dialogue, or description so that the reader feels it for themselves.

Telling: John was angry.
Showing: John’s jaw clenched. He slammed the door and muttered something under his breath.

Both communicate that John is angry. But the second one shows us through physical behavior, helping us experience his emotion rather than being handed the answer.

Why It Matters

“Showing” allows readers to connect emotionally with your characters and your world. It makes the story more immersive, more vivid, and more memorable.

Readers don’t want to be told how to feel—they want to be drawn into the moment, using their own imagination to fill in the gaps. That’s what makes fiction powerful.

When to Show (And When It’s Okay to Tell)

While “showing” is generally stronger, there’s nothing wrong with telling—when it’s done intentionally.

Use telling when:

• You need to move the story forward quickly.

• The detail isn’t emotionally important.

• You’re summarizing a passage of time or transition.

Use showing when:

• A character’s emotions or choices are important to the scene.

• You’re building tension or drama.

• You want to immerse the reader in a sensory or emotional moment.

Think of showing and telling as tools in a toolbox—not rules to follow blindly. The trick is knowing when to use which.

🔍 Let’s Look at Some Examples

❌ Telling:

She was nervous about the audition.

✅ Showing:

She wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans for the fifth time and avoided looking at the other performers warming up around her.

Why it works: Instead of labeling the emotion (“nervous”), we see physical symptoms—sweaty palms, repeated behavior, avoidance—all of which show her anxiety in a way we can feel.

❌ Telling:

He was rich and powerful.

✅ Showing:

His watch probably cost more than her car. When he spoke, the room quieted, as if the air itself waited to hear what he had to say.

Why it works: Readers infer wealth and influence through concrete details and reactions. No need to say it outright—we see it.

❌ Telling:

They had been best friends since childhood.

✅ Showing:

He didn’t even need to look—he just passed her the last slice of pizza like he’d done a hundred times before. She smiled, already knowing he’d saved it for her.

Why it works: Shared history, unspoken communication, and small habits all reveal the closeness of their friendship without needing to explain it.

How to Practice “Show, Don’t Tell” in Your Writing

1. Use the Five Senses

Sensory details bring scenes to life. Don’t just describe how something looks—include sound, smell, taste, touch, and atmosphere.

Instead of:

The bakery smelled good.

Try:

The air was thick with the smell of warm cinnamon rolls and fresh-baked bread, wrapping around her like a hug she didn’t know she needed.

2. Focus on Body Language & Subtext

How people move, pause, or avoid eye contact can say more than dialogue ever could.

Example:

He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

—This instantly tells us something’s off, without spelling it out.

3. Write Internal Reactions Sparingly

Telling often happens in internal thoughts. Instead of over-explaining, let readers feel the emotion through reactions and behavior.

Example:

Instead of: She felt so embarrassed.
Try: Her cheeks burned. She stared at the floor, wishing she could sink through it.

4. Let the Reader Do Some Work

Trust your reader. You don’t have to explain everything. Give them enough to feel what’s happening, and let their imagination take over.

Instead of:

He loved her more than anything.
Try:
He memorized the way she laughed when she forgot she was laughing. Every room felt brighter when she was in it.

Famous Examples That Nail It

Great authors use “show, don’t tell” masterfully. Let’s look at a couple:

🌟 J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter series

Instead of saying Snape is bitter, Rowling gives us cold remarks, stiff body language, and loaded silences. Readers feel the resentment without needing to be told outright.

🌟 Suzanne Collins – The Hunger Games

Katniss doesn’t narrate her feelings much. We learn who she is through her actions—volunteering for Prim, protecting Rue, defying the Capitol. All shown through story, not told in summary.

🌟 Celeste Ng – Everything I Never Told You

Ng reveals emotional tension through small moments, fractured dialogue, and subtext, drawing readers deep into her characters’ unspoken pain.

Quick Recap: How to “Show, Don’t Tell”

Here’s your checklist:

✅ Replace abstract feelings with sensory details
✅ Use body language and action instead of labels
✅ Let dialogue and subtext reveal emotions
✅ Cut unnecessary internal narration
✅ Trust your reader to connect the dots

Final Thoughts

“Show, don’t tell” isn’t about making your writing more complicated. It’s about making it more immersive. You want your readers to feel the heartbeat of your story—not just read it on the page.

So next time you're tempted to say "She was scared," ask yourself—can I show it instead?

You’ll be surprised how much more powerful your writing becomes.

Thanks for reading—and if this helped you, feel free to share it with a fellow writer or leave a comment on the blog. ✍️