Narrative Skills: Showing versus Telling

1. Narrative Skills:Showing versus Telling

2. “Showing” and “Telling” are two different ways to give your readers information in a narrative. Both have their place in story writing, but showing is usually preferred over telling.

3. “Telling” communicates information in a factual way with little emotion. It is useful for describing and summarizing, especially when you want to make a quick transition to an important part of your story.

4. “Showing” creates vivid images in a reader’s imagination. It allows your readers to experience your story through action, thoughts, feelings, and senses.

5. Does the following sentence use “showing” or “telling”? John felt scared.

6. John felt scared. This sentence tells us how John felt, but it does nothing to help us feel the depth of his fear.

7. John’s face went ashen. His breathing came in ragged gasps. Ashen(adj.) - (of a person's face) very pale with shock, fear, or illness. Ragged(adj.) - (of a sound) rough or uneven Gasp(n.) – a sudden breath with the mouth open

8. It’s true that the previous “showing” example is much longer than the “telling” sentence. However, it creates a clear picture in the reader’s mind about how frightened John is.

9. Use strong, vivid verbs. (Don’t overuse adverbs.) “Let’s go,” Mary said impatiently. “Let’s go!” Mary snapped. Snap (v.) – say something quickly and irritably to someone

10. Wayne walked down the street. This sentence gives basic information, but it is bland (lacking strong features, dull, uninteresting)

11. Wayne ambled down the street. Amble (v.) – walk or move at a slow, relaxed pace

12. Wayne strutted down the street. Strut (v.) – walk with a stiff, erect, and apparently arrogant gait

13. Wayne shuffled down the street. Shuffle (v.) – walk by dragging one's feet along

14. Using dialog can make you story more dramatic. The two men exchanged greetings.

15. “Hi there, Jim,” Bryan said grinning. “Long time no see!” “Hey,” Jim answered, giving Bryan a small nod.

16. “Show” by giving details. The house looked old.

17. The house slouched in a yard choked with weeds, its paint faded and flaking, the lace curtains in its windows yellowed with age.

18. “Show” through action, thoughts, feelings, and the senses. Use strong, vivid verbs (don’t overuse adverbs). Use dialog for dramatic effect. “Show” by giving details.