Questions tagged [showing-telling]

This tag should be used for questions about the [technique] of "Show, don't tell!" The goal of this technique is to allow the reader to experience the story through senses and feelings instead of only listening to the author explaining something.

This tag should be used for questions about the of "Show, don't tell!" The goal of this technique is to allow the reader to experience the story through senses and feelings instead of only listening to the author explaining something.

The idea behind this technique is that a reader will not be as immersed in the story if he is only reading a sterile explanation by the author as the reader would be if he would experience the story through a display of senses and feelings that allow him to be part of the story.

According to Wikipedia the technique is often attributed to the Russian author Anton Chekhov who supposedly said:

Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.

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How can I show that a character does something without thinking?

When a character does something suddenly, how can I show this instead of just telling the reader they did it "without thinking"? Like: "Without thinking, I jumped." Or: “Without thinking, I unbuckled my seatbelt.”
Heyyy
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Am I telling or showing?

I'm having some trouble with "Show, don't tell" when come to writing, so I'd like some advice. I'm trying to highlight the relationship and personality between these characters, but I'm unsure if this is considered telling because of the amount of…
calvin_0
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Unique ways to do an infodump for an isolated protagonist

Many zombie series start with the overly used hunting trip or coma to explain why the protagonist has no idea whats happening. This usually so the writer can dump the reader with what happened, saving time. What other explanations could I use to…
Uncle Tres
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How can I write an engaging story?

I am writing about this girl who's had a hard life for the past eight years, and she's moving to Dallas now. At Dallas, she gets enrolled in a new school, all in the first chapter. Then, she makes friends and does a student council voting project at…