Show, not Tell

Oftentimes as writers, we are told to "show, not tell." Even in the world of academic essay writing, I have had teachers tell me "show, not tell" (without their knowing what that phrase really means). As I build a career as a writer, I hear the same phrase from various "sources." However, very few people who use this phrase truly know what "show, not tell" means. The phrase itself is illogical simply because it is not a literary or rhetorical "rule," nor is it true to the art of writing. As writers, we know our craft, and we know, more than anyone, when "we" should "show" or when "we" should "tell" our readers. Ultimately, we create a balance of "showing" and "telling," saving the more important details for "showing" and the lesser details for "telling." We know that far too much "showing" makes our text read like sappy fluff and far too much "telling" makes our text read like the back of a shampoo bottle. Again, we the writers, must decide how we want to deliver our stories.

Cheers!
Allan A. Zarbock
www.aazarbock.com