How to Teach the "Show, Don’t Tell" Principle in Creative Writing
If you've ever taught creative writing, you’ve likely encountered the golden rule: Show, don’t tell. It’s a mantra repeated in writing workshops, critique groups, and classrooms worldwide. But while the concept sounds simple, teaching it to aspiring writers can be a challenge. How do you help students move beyond merely stating what’s happening in their stories to vividly illustrating it through action, dialogue, and sensory detail? In this post, I’ll walk you through actionable strategies to teach the "show, don’t tell" principle in a way that resonates with writers of all levels.
Why "Show, Don’t Tell" Matters
Before diving into teaching techniques, let’s unpack why this principle is so vital. Telling is when a writer directly states facts or emotions, like saying, “Sarah was angry.” Showing, on the other hand, invites readers into the story by painting a picture: “Sarah’s fists clenched, her jaw tightened, and a sharp edge crept into her voice as she snapped, ‘Leave me alone.’” The difference is night and day—showing creates an immersive experience, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions and feel the story rather than just understand it.
When students grasp this, their writing transforms. They stop spoon-feeding information and start crafting scenes that linger in the reader’s mind. So, how do we guide them there? Let’s explore some practical approaches.
Break It Down with Examples
One of the most effective ways to teach "show, don’t tell" is through side-by-side comparisons. Start with a simple "telling" sentence and then rewrite it to "show" the same idea. For instance:
- Telling: John was nervous.
- Showing: John’s palms slicked with sweat as he fumbled with his tie, his eyes darting to the clock every few seconds.
Present these examples to your students and ask them to identify why the second version feels more engaging. Encourage discussion: What do they notice about the imagery? How does it make them feel compared to the first sentence? This exercise helps them see the power of detail in action.
Then, take it a step further. Provide a list of “telling” statements—things like “She was tired,” “He felt sad,” or “It was a stormy night”—and challenge your students to rewrite them using vivid descriptions. This hands-on practice builds their confidence and hones their ability to think visually.
Use Sensory Details as a Gateway
Another fantastic way to teach showing is by focusing on the five senses. Many new writers default to telling because they haven’t yet learned how to tap into sensory experiences. Guide your students to ask themselves: What does this moment look like, sound like, smell like, feel like, or even taste like?
For example, instead of writing, “The room was old,” they might describe, “The air in the room hung heavy with the musty scent of mildew, while the wooden floorboards groaned underfoot, their edges splintered and gray with age.” This approach not only shows the condition of the room but also pulls the reader into the scene.
A fun classroom activity is to have students describe a familiar setting—like a school cafeteria or a rainy day—using only sensory details. Ban the use of adjectives like “good,” “bad,” or “nice,” and push them to get specific. You’ll be amazed at how quickly their writing comes alive.
Analyze Published Works
Sometimes, the best way to teach a concept is to spotlight how the pros do it. Select short excerpts from well-known stories or novels that exemplify "show, don’t tell." Authors like Toni Morrison, Ernest Hemingway, or even J.K. Rowling are great choices because their writing often brims with vivid imagery and subtle emotion.
Read the passage aloud with your students, then break it down together. Highlight specific phrases or techniques that show rather than tell. For instance, in Hemingway’s sparse prose, he rarely states a character’s feelings outright—instead, he reveals them through clipped dialogue or small, deliberate actions. Ask your students: How does the author convey emotion or atmosphere without directly naming it? What can we learn from this?
This exercise not only reinforces the principle but also inspires students to see that showing is a tool used by the writers they admire.
Encourage Experimentation and Feedback
Finally, create a safe space for experimentation. "Show, don’t tell" can feel daunting at first, especially for beginners who worry their descriptions won’t land. Assign short writing prompts where the goal is to show a specific emotion or setting without naming it directly. For example: “Write a 200-word scene about a character who just received bad news, without ever saying they’re upset.”
After they write, facilitate peer feedback sessions. Encourage students to point out moments where the writing successfully shows rather than tells, as well as areas where more detail could deepen