James Ruse Graduate’s Tips on How to “Show, Not Tell” in Creative Writing

Tips on Characterisation: How to Show, Not Tell in Creative Writing

Creative writing is very often tested not only in selective and scholarship entrance exams, but in all high school years towards the HSC. A vital aspect of crafting a compelling narrative is to create engaging and complex characters, and to do so it is crucial to “show, not tell”. See below to learn the key strategies for writing effective characterisation:

• Actions and Decisions

One of the most powerful ways to reveal personality and emotion is through your character’s actions and decisions. Instead of stating that a character is brave, show their bravery through their deeds. For example, instead of writing “Matthew was brave,” show his courage by describing how he chose to rush into a burning building to save a child.

• Body Language

Body language is a subtle yet effective way to convey your character’s emotions and attitudes. Instead of telling the reader that a character is nervous, show it through their physical reactions. For instance, instead of telling the reader “She was uncomfortable”, you can write “She twisted her fingers and stared at the table” to vividly show her emotional state.

• Facial Expressions

Describing a character’s facial expressions is a great way to show a wide range of emotions. Instead of writing “He was angry,” you could write “His jaw tightened and his eyes narrowed.”

• Dialogue and Tone

The way characters speak and the tone they use reveals their feelings and personalities. Rather than telling the reader that a character is sarcastic, show it through their dialogue. For example, “Oh great, another meeting,” she said with a roll of her eyes, shows sarcasm without explicitly stating it.

• Behaviours and Habits

Characters’ behaviours and habits can offer deep insights into their personalities and states of mind. For example, a character who constantly checks their watch might be anxious or preoccupied. Instead of telling the reader “He was impatient,” show it through his repeated glances at the clock and tapping foot.

• Pathetic Fallacy

Pathetic fallacy is a technique that uses the environment to reflect the internal state of a character. For example, describing a stormy night can emphasise a character’s inner sense of grief or turmoil. Instead of telling the reader “She felt sad,” show her standing in the rain, soaked and shivering, while grey clouds loom overhead.

What to Avoid:

• Emotive Adverbs

Emotive adverbs, such as “angrily” or “nervously,” often tell rather than show. Instead of writing “She spoke angrily,” show her anger through her dialogue and actions: “She slammed her fist on the table and shouted, ‘I can’t believe you did that!'”

• Descriptive Labels

Avoid using descriptive words that label a character with traits such as “lazy,” “cheerful,” or “tired.” These labels tell the reader what to think about the character rather than showing them through the character’s actions and behaviours. Instead of writing “He was lazy,” you can describe how he spent the entire day lounging on the couch, surrounded by empty pizza boxes and unfinished projects.

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