Show, Don't Tell

"Show, don't tell" is the single most important technique in creative writing. It is the difference between a piece that reads like a report and a piece that reads like literature. In the SET Stage 2 exam, where you have one hour to demonstrate your writing ability, mastering this technique will set you apart from hundreds of other candidates competing for places at Sutton Grammar, Wilson's, Wallington County Grammar, Nonsuch, and Wallington High.

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

Telling means stating a fact or emotion directly:

She was scared.

Showing means using description, actions, dialogue, and sensory detail to let the reader feel the emotion without being told:

Her breath came in short, shallow gasps. She pressed her back against the wall, her fingers gripping the cold stone, and listened. Footsteps. Getting closer.

Both convey fear — but the second version makes the reader experience the fear alongside the character.

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Why Is It So Important for the SET?