Showing and Telling for Article Writers

Warning: I’m getting into realms that can send fiction writers to insane asylums – showing v. telling. Do you need to show rather than tell in non-fiction, as well? The answer, as with so many things in writing, is a definitive, “Sometimes.” (And that’s the case in fiction, as well!)

The examples I provide in my posts each week “show” finer grammatical points rather than simply “telling” you about them. I hope I create memorable examples that drive home the lesson. But if I just tossed examples out there with no context, they wouldn’t make much sense either. Showing and telling are both necessary.

Showing in Non-Fiction
A good anecdotal lead may show a point, rather than tell it, captivating readers from your first sentence. If you were an editor for a major parenting and pregnancy magazine, which query lead would make you keep reading (assuming that the rest of the query narrowed down the topic, provided groundbreaking research, or offered a unique slant on a timeworn topic, of course)?

She looked at the test. Only one line. Again. Would she ever have a baby?

Many women struggle with unexplained infertility.

In all forms of writing, a fine blend of showing and telling works best. Telling often uses more adjectives (frequently following a form of the verb “to be,”) while showing relies on nouns and verbs to move the story forward.

Using Word’s Search Feature to Ferret Out “Telling”

Not sure if you’re showing or telling? Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you provide rich details that make the reader feel immersed in the scene?
• Do you use an abundance of active verbs?
• Do the words you use evoke tangible detail that a reader can “see” in their mind’s eye?

If you answer yes to these questions, you are probably showing rather than telling. Showing and telling is different than active and passive voice, but using a lot of passive voice may also indicate that you are “telling.”

I’ve had a lot of success making my work more active using the Search function in my word processor. Simply perform searches for “is,” “was,” “were” and “be.” When you encounter one of these “to be” verbs, ask yourself if there’s a better way to get your point across. For instance, if you use an “is [adjective]” construction, you might be able to paint a more vivid picture by showing a fact or detail that exemplifies the adjective.

But Showing Isn’t Really Shorter…
Writers have had it pounded into our heads since Freshman English (or before!) that brevity rules. Yet inevitably when we “show,” our work becomes longer. (See my example above for reference.) What gives?

It’s all about the impact of the words. You may use a few more words to say the same thing, but the effect of those words will linger longer in the reader’s mind. They will have more power.

Don’t be fooled – showing is just as important in non-fiction as it is in fiction writing to create compelling stories that engage readers.