How to Let Your Readers Feel the Story Instead of Just Reading It

You’ve probably heard this advice before: Show, don’t tell. It’s one of the most repeated phrases in the writing world—and one of the most misunderstood.

New writers often nod, scribble it down, and walk away thinking, Okay, I’ll add more description. But “showing” isn’t just about describing what the sky looks like or listing what your character is wearing. It’s about creating a vivid, emotional experience that pulls readers into the scene instead of just telling them what’s happening.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what “show, don’t tell” means, why it matters, and how to master it with practical examples that elevate your storytelling.

What Does “Show, Don’t Tell” Really Mean?

Telling is when you state facts or emotions directly. It’s straightforward, but flat.

Showing is when you reveal those facts and emotions through action, dialogue, body language, and sensory detail—letting the reader experience them firsthand.

Example:

Telling: She was angry. Showing: Her jaw clenched. She shoved the chair back with a screech and crossed her arms tight across her chest.

See the difference? One version tells you how she feels. The other lets you feel it, too.

Why Showing Matters

Readers want to connect. They want to feel immersed, to form their own emotional reactions, and to see characters come to life.

Good storytelling is like handing your reader a camera and saying, Here. Look for yourself.

Showing:

• Deepens emotional impact
• Makes scenes more cinematic
• Encourages empathy with characters
• Strengthens pacing and tension

When to Show vs. When to Tell

Here’s the secret: not everything has to be shown. Telling has its place—especially when you need to:

• Transition between scenes
• Summarize unimportant events
• Keep the pace moving

Think of it like a spotlight. Show what’s most important. Tell the rest quickly so you can get back to the good stuff.

5 Practical Ways to Show Instead of Tell

1. Use Strong Verbs

Replace generic actions with vivid, specific ones.

Telling: He walked into the room. Showing: He staggered through the door, dripping rainwater and mumbling to himself.

2. Incorporate Body Language

Emotions live in the body. Let your characters communicate physically.

Telling: She felt nervous. Showing: She twisted the ring on her finger and glanced at the clock for the fifth time in ten minutes.

3. Let Dialogue Reveal Emotion

Subtext, tone, and word choice can all speak louder than narration.

Telling: He was frustrated with his brother. Showing: “You know what? Do whatever you want, like always.”

4. Use Sensory Details

Make your scenes come alive with taste, touch, smell, and sound.

Telling: The forest was peaceful. Showing: Pine needles crunched underfoot. A breeze stirred the leaves, carrying the earthy scent of moss and woodsmoke.

5. Show Through Action and Reaction

Characters reveal who they are by what they do—and how they respond to the world around them.

Telling: She was brave. Showing: She stepped between the snarling dog and the child, arms raised, heart pounding.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

❌ Overwriting

Showing doesn’t mean turning every sentence into a paragraph of detail. Pick one or two vivid cues and let them do the heavy lifting.

❌ Showing the Obvious

Don’t waste time showing things readers already understand.

Example: You don’t need to show someone brushing their teeth unless it reveals something unique about their character or situation.

❌ Forgetting Pacing

Showing takes time—so save it for moments that matter. Telling is a powerful tool when used with intention.

Blending Show and Tell for Maximum Impact

You don’t have to choose one or the other. The best writers know how to blend the two:

• Use telling to summarize or transition
• Use showing to highlight emotional beats, pivotal scenes, or character-defining moments

Example:

She had always been independent. But as she stared at the empty apartment, her fingers trembling over the key, she realized how alone she really was.

The sentence starts with a tell—and lands with a show.

Exercises to Practice “Show, Don’t Tell”

1. Emotion Rewrite: Take five basic emotional statements (e.g., “He was sad”) and rewrite them with action and sensory cues.
2. Scene Swap: Find a paragraph in your own writing where you told something—and revise it into a show.
3. Showcase Dialogue: Write a scene where two characters disagree, but never say the words “angry,” “mad,” or “frustrated.” Let the emotion come through subtext.

Final Thoughts: Invite the Reader Into the Story

“Show, don’t tell” isn’t a rule—it’s an invitation. It asks you to trust your reader. To create images, sounds, feelings. To let the story unfold through experience, not exposition.

So the next time you’re tempted to tell us what your character feels—pause. Step inside their skin. Look through their eyes. Listen to their heartbeat.

Then show us what’s there.