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Developing the Essay
Showing vs. telling
| Guide to writing introductions
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Writing>How to improve your writing>Showing vs. Telling |
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Showing vs. Telling Teachers frequently say "Show don't tell." Here are some examples of the difference between telling and showing. Telling Each morning I ride the bus to school. I wait along with the other people who ride my bus. Sometimes the bus is late and we get angry. Some guys start fights and stuff just to have something to do. I'm always glad when the bus finally comes. Showing The bus arrived. It discharged its passengers, closed its doors with a hiss and disappeared over the crest of a hill. Not one of the people waiting at the bud stop had attempted to board. One woman wore a sweater that was too mall, a long skirt, white sweater, socks, and house slippers. One man was in his undershirt. Another man wore shoes with the toes cut out, a soiled blue serge jacket and brown pants. There was something wrong with these people. They made faces. A mouth smiled at nothing and unsmiled, smiled and unsmiled. A head shook in vehement denial. Most of them carried brown paper bags rolled tight against their stomachs. Telling I slowly sucked the stick and felt a warm sensation fill my chest. A chill ran down my spine as I smiled and exhaled. Showing I slowly lifted my cigarette until it touched my lips. I sucked the stick and a cloud of warm smoke filled my chest. Suddenly, I felt nauseated and my chest felt like a time bomb ready to explode. I spit the smoke out and coughed. My eyes began to water, but I managed to show a grin. Telling Sitting on the sofa, she looked exhausted. Showing Her eyes told of her pain; deep, set-back, reaching inside of herself. Dark caves formed where her cheeks were. Her mouth was a hardened straight line, down at the corners. updated 5/9/02 |
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