Stop Using Tell Tells: Show Don’t Tell in Essays

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Editorial Team · on 25 July 2026 · 7 min read · Last reviewed 25 July 2026

Tell tells are narrative elements that state facts directly to the reader, often weakening the impact of short stories and essays. Put simply, they are the straightforward declarations that can make your writing feel flat. Here is the gist: using tell tells can distance your readers from the emotional core of your story.

Key facts

Tell tells often use adjectives like “scary” or “beautiful” to describe something directly.
Showing involves using actions, dialogue, and sensory details to reveal information.
According to the Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms, telling often relies on abstract language, while showing uses concrete details.
Short stories and essays benefit from showing because it engages readers more deeply.

What are tell tells in short stories and essays?

Tell tells are the parts of your writing where you explain what is happening or how a character feels directly. The short version: they are the statements that tell the reader what to think or feel.

For example, instead of writing “She was scared,” you might say “Her heart pounded as she clung to the door frame.” The first sentence tells the reader the character is scared, while the second shows the fear through physical actions.

In my experience, new writers often rely on tell tells because they are straightforward and easy to write. However, showing can make your writing more engaging and immersive. For instance, instead of saying “The room was messy,” you could write “Clothes and papers lay strewn across the floor, and an empty pizza box sat on the desk.” This approach allows readers to visualize the scene themselves.

Stop Using Tell Tells: Show Don't Tell in Essays

How to identify tell tells in your writing

To identify tell tells, look for sentences that state emotions, settings, or actions directly. The bottom line: these sentences often use adjectives or adverbs to convey information quickly.

To do this, read your work aloud and listen for places where you explain something directly. For example, sentences like “He was angry” or “The day was beautiful” are tell tells. Instead, try to describe the anger through actions or the beauty through sensory details.

Another technique is to highlight adjectives and adverbs in your draft. Often, these words signal tell tells. For instance, in the sentence “She walked quickly down the street,” the adverb “quickly” is a tell. A better approach might be “She rushed down the street, her heart pounding in her chest.” This shows the urgency and emotion more vividly.

Examples of tell tells in short stories and essays

In plain terms, they are the straightforward explanations that can make your writing feel flat. Tell tells can appear in various forms, such as stating emotions, describing settings, or explaining actions.

For example, in short stories, you might write “He was sad” or “The forest was eerie.” In essays, you might say “The data was surprising” or “The argument was flawed.” These statements tell the reader what to think or feel but do not engage their imagination.

In “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, the narrator’s mental state is shown through her detailed descriptions of the wallpaper and her deteriorating behavior, rather than being told directly. This approach makes the story more powerful and engaging for the reader. For more examples, check out the The Ultimate Writing Prompt Guide for Short Stories and Essays.

How to replace tell tells with showing

To replace tell tells with showing, use actions, dialogue, and sensory details to reveal information. The gist here: showing allows readers to experience the story or essay themselves.

Nervousness made her fingers tremble as she dialed the number.

In my experience, using dialogue can also help show instead of tell. For instance, instead of saying “He was upset,” you might have him say, “I can’t believe you did that!” This approach shows his emotion through his words and actions.

Why showing is more effective than telling

Showing is more effective than telling because it engages readers’ senses and emotions. The short version: it allows readers to experience the story or essay themselves.

When you show, you use concrete details that paint a picture in the reader’s mind. For example, instead of saying “The party was loud,” you might write “The music blared, and voices overlapped in a cacophony of laughter and chatter.” This approach makes the scene more vivid and immersive.

According to the Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms, showing often relies on specific, sensory details that allow readers to draw their own conclusions. This makes the writing more engaging and memorable. For more tips, explore the Journal Entry Prompts to Spark Creative Short Stories.

Common mistakes when trying to show instead of tell

Common mistakes when trying to show instead of tell include overusing adjectives and adverbs, relying on clichés, and providing too much detail. In plain terms, these mistakes can make your writing feel overwrought or confusing.

Her heart pounded, revealing her fear through rapid breaths and trembling hands. However, if you write “She was terrified, her heart racing like a rabbit fleeing a fox,” the cliché weakens the impact.

Another mistake is providing too much detail. For instance, instead of saying “The room was messy,” you might write “Clothes and papers lay strewn across the floor, and an empty pizza box sat on the desk.” However, if you add “The walls were stained with coffee spills, and the carpet was covered in crumbs,” the scene becomes overwhelming.

Practical exercises to improve showing in your writing

Practical exercises to improve showing in your writing include revising tell tells, using sensory details, and practicing with writing prompts. The bottom line: these exercises can help you develop the habit of showing instead of telling.

To do this, take a piece of your writing and highlight all the tell tells. Then, rewrite each one using actions, dialogue, and sensory details. For example, instead of saying “He was angry,” you might write “He slammed the door and stormed out of the room.”

Using sensory details is an exercise. For instance, instead of saying “The forest was eerie,” you might write “The trees loomed overhead, their gnarled branches casting long shadows in the fading light.” This approach engages the reader’s senses and makes the scene more vivid.

You can also practice with writing prompts. For example, try writing a scene where a character is nervous without using the word “nervous.” Instead, describe their actions and physical reactions. For more prompts, check out the 50+ Writing Prompts for Essays and Fiction.

Showing vs. telling: a comparison table

Telling	Showing
She was happy.	She laughed and danced around the room.
He was tired.	His eyes drooped, and he yawned repeatedly.
The room was messy.	Clothes and papers lay strewn across the floor, and an empty pizza box sat on the desk.

Advanced techniques for showing instead of telling

Advanced techniques for showing instead of telling include using figurative language, internal monologue, and subtle hints. In plain terms, these techniques can add depth and complexity to your writing.

Showing instead of telling can be achieved through figurative language like metaphors and similes. Instead of saying “She was scared,” you might write “Her fear clung to her like a second skin.” This approach adds a layer of imagery that makes the emotion more vivid.

Internal monologue can also help show a character’s thoughts and feelings. For instance, instead of saying “He was confused,” you might write “What is going on? Why did she say that?” This approach shows his confusion through his thoughts.

Subtle hints can also be effective. For example, instead of saying “She was nervous,” you might describe her fidgeting with her jewelry or biting her lip. These actions show her nervousness without stating it directly.

Final tips for avoiding tell tells in your writing

Final tips for avoiding tell tells in your writing include reading your work aloud, seeking feedback, and practicing regularly. The short version: these tips can help you develop the habit of showing instead of telling.

Seeking feedback can also be helpful. Ask a friend or writing group to read your work and point out any tell tells. For more tips, explore the Wordplaying Techniques for Engaging Short Essays.

Practicing regularly is essential. Try writing a scene or essay every day, focusing on showing instead of telling. Over time, this habit will become second nature.

Steering clear of telling and embracing showing can enhance your short stories and essays. Actions, dialogue, and sensory details help create a vivid image in the reader’s mind, letting them live the story or essay. For further examples, explore crafting authentic dialogue.

Frequently asked questions

Why is 'show don't tell' important in essays?

Showing instead of telling immerses readers in the experience. Rather than stating 'she was angry,' describe her clenched fists, the vein throbbing in her temple, or the icy tone of her voice. This technique engages readers, making them active participants in how the scene.

How can I transition from telling to showing?

Replace abstract statements with concrete details. Instead of 'the city was noisy,' write 'car horns blared, jackhammers pounded sidewalks, and street vendors hawked their wares in overlapping shouts.' Use sensory language to paint a vivid picture.

What are common mistakes when attempting 'show don't tell'?

Over-explaining or info-dumping can overwhelm readers. For example, describing every detail of a character's appearance at once is telling in disguise. Focus on relevant details that advance the narrative or reveal character. Balance is key.

Can 'show don't tell' be used in academic writing?

Absolutely. In academic essays, showing can mean using specific examples, case studies, or data to illustrate points. Instead of stating 'climate change is worsening,' cite rising global temperatures or increasing frequency of natural disasters to demonstrate the trend.