You’ve probably heard the phrase “Show, don’t tell” before—especially if you’ve spent any time writing essays, fiction, or personal statements. But what does it really mean?

The Difference Between Showing and Telling

Let’s start with a quick example:

Telling: I was nervous before the interview.
Showing: My palms were sweaty. I kept bouncing my leg under the table and glancing at the clock every thirty seconds.

Both lines convey the same core idea—but the second one shows what nervousness looks and feels like, allowing the reader to experience it alongside the writer.

👎 Telling summarizes emotions, thoughts, or events.

👍 Showing uses sensory detail, action, dialogue, and imagery to bring those emotions or events to life.

Why “Show, Don’t Tell” Matters

Showing:

Engages the reader with vivid, specific scenes.
Builds emotional connection by helping us feel what the writer felt.
Adds authenticity to your story by grounding it in real experiences.

This is especially powerful in personal or college essays. Admissions officers want to see who you are—not just be told.

How to “Show” in Your Writing

Here are a few strategies:

1. Use Sensory Details

Describe what you saw, heard, smelled, tasted, or felt. Even one strong detail can make a scene more immersive.

❌ The hospital was scary.

✅ The hallway smelled like bleach. Monitors beeped in every room, and I clutched my dad’s hand like a lifeline.

2. Zoom In on Small Moments

Big emotions often show up in small actions. Look for the physical cues or behaviors that reveal how you felt.

❌ I was excited to win the race.

✅ I crossed the finish line, gasping, and grinned so hard my cheeks ached.

3. Use Dialogue or Internal Thoughts 💭

Let us hear the moment as it happened, whether it’s spoken aloud or playing in your mind.

❌ I doubted myself.

✅ “What if I mess up again?” I kept thinking as I stared at the test.

⚖️ Final Tip: Balance Is Key

You don’t need to “show” every sentence. Sometimes, a quick “tell” helps with pacing. Use vivid detail for the moments that matter most—those that define your growth, struggles, or breakthroughs.

Try this: Revisit a sentence in your writing where you describe a feeling or situation. Can you show it instead?

🙋🏻‍♂️ Need help transforming a “tell” into a “show”? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to help.

👀 Show, Don’t Tell: Writing with Vivid Details