Show, Don't Tell

"Show, don't tell" is perhaps the single most important piece of writing advice you will ever receive. It is the technique that separates average writing from outstanding writing — and in the CSSE 11+ exam, where creative writing is so heavily weighted, mastering this skill can significantly boost your marks.

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What Does "Show, Don't Tell" Mean?

Telling is when you simply state a fact or emotion directly:

She was sad. The house was old. He was brave.

Showing is when you use description, actions, dialogue, and sensory details to let the reader work out the fact or emotion for themselves:

A tear slid down her cheek and she turned away, pressing her hand against her mouth so no one would hear.

The paint was peeling from the window frames and the front step had crumbled so badly that weeds grew through the cracks.

He stepped forward, his chin raised, and looked the bully straight in the eye.

When you show, the reader experiences the story. When you tell, they are just being given information. The examiner wants to see that you can show.

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