Show, don’t tell

The steps

1. Swap labels for actions

   Instead of “she was nervous”, show her hands shaking.

2. Use the senses

   What can the character see, hear, smell, taste, touch?

3. Use dialogue

   Let characters reveal feelings through what they say.

4. Pick strong verbs

   “Stomped” tells more than “walked angrily”.

More writing guides

Practise