✍️ Part 7: The Art of Showing vs Telling
(For IGCSE, AS Level, and IB English Exams)
“Don’t just tell me — show me.”
This is one of the most common (and misunderstood) pieces of writing advice. Here’s how to master it.
🎯 What Does “Show, Don’t Tell” Actually Mean?
- Telling = giving the reader a fact or summary
“She was scared.” - Showing = using action, description, or dialogue to let the reader infer the emotion
Her hands trembled as she reached for the light switch. “Is anyone there?” she whispered.
Why it matters:
✔ Engages the reader’s imagination
✔ Builds atmosphere
✔ Creates deeper emotional impact
🧠 Quick Comparison Table
| TELLING | SHOWING |
| He was angry. | He slammed his fist on the table and muttered under his breath. |
| It was a beautiful day. | The sun spilled gold over the hills, and birds chattered in the hedges. |
| She was nervous about the interview. | She kept adjusting her collar, eyes darting toward the ticking clock. |
🛠️ 5 Techniques to “Show” More Effectively
1. Use Sensory Details
Appeal to the five senses.
The scent of burnt toast clung to the morning air.
2. Use Dialogue and Voice
Let characters speak their emotions through tone, hesitation, or sarcasm.
“It’s fine,” he said, eyes fixed on the floor. “Totally fine.”
3. Use Body Language
Convey emotions through posture, facial expressions, or gestures.
Her shoulders sagged. She avoided his gaze.
4. Use Metaphor and Symbolism
Figurative language can create strong visual images.
Grief sat on her chest like a wet coat, heavy and unwelcome.
5. Use Setting to Reflect Mood
Let the environment mirror the inner world of a character.
Even the curtains hung limp, as if mourning.
🧪 Practice Task: Show, Don’t Tell
Try rewriting the following “telling” sentence into a “showing” paragraph (50–60 words):
Telling: He was lonely.
Your turn: Show it — through actions, setting, or inner thought.
✨ Advanced Tip: Blend Showing with Telling
Sometimes a little telling is necessary — especially for clarity or pacing.
She was exhausted. Her steps dragged, and her eyes barely stayed open.
🧠 Rule of thumb: Show the emotion, tell the transition.
🚫 Common Pitfalls
| Mistake | Why it Hurts |
| Over-showing every detail | Slows pacing, overwhelms the reader |
| Too much vague imagery | Can be confusing or lack clarity |
| Telling after showing | Redundant writing (“She cried. She was sad.”) |
📌 Examiner Perspective
- IGCSE: Showing enhances descriptive effect and atmosphere.
- AS/IB: Sophisticated showing techniques demonstrate control, depth, and voice.
✨ “Showing allows the reader to experience rather than just understand.” – Examiner Report
✅ Final Tip: Read Your Writing Aloud
Ask: Can I see it, feel it, hear it?
If not — go back and show a little more.