🎭
Show, Don't Tell
Show Instead of Explaining
Good writing creates scenes in the reader's mind. Instead of saying "it was delicious," writing "juices burst at the first bite while pepper fragrance brushed the tip of my nose" gives readers the feeling of experiencing it firsthand.
Step-by-Step
1
Find emotion/evaluation words (good, bad, beautiful, interesting)
2
Replace with specific scenes/details that evoke that emotion
3
Use five senses (sight/sound/touch/taste/smell)
4
Concretize abstract concepts with metaphors
Pros
- ✓ Dramatically increased reader immersion
- ✓ Writing becomes more memorable
Cons
- ✗ Writing may become longer
- ✗ Can be excessive for informational writing
Use Cases
Essays / columns
Product reviews
Fiction / screenplays