Hello again!
Just
when I thought I had some level of mastery in descriptive writing, our lecturer
circled back for a follow-up class. We were given the opportunity to revisit
our original piece or begin anew with one clear reminder: our descriptive
should “Show the reader, not just tell.” Hearing that as a student,
while revisiting my own draft, gave the phrase a whole new meaning. My first
piece described a serene natural setting in my parish, but it told the reader
it was peaceful and beautiful instead of showing why.
This time, I had to think like a filmmaker, not a reporter. Instead of writing “It was peaceful,” I asked myself, what does peace look or sound like? Maybe it’s the gentle ripple of water against smooth stones or the soft rustle of leaves swaying in the morning breeze. That shift from judgment to sensory detail transformed my writing from a statement into an experience.
As
Anton Chekhov famously said, “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me
the glint of light on broken glass.” That quote perfectly captured what
our lecturer wanted us to understand: good writing invites readers to see and
feel the moment for themselves.
As
a teacher, I’ll carry this forward by helping my students move beyond
describing to truly showing. I’ll create space for revision, use sensory
“camera lens” exercises, and remind them that writing isn’t about rushing to
the final draft, it’s about discovery. When students slow down, observe, and
revise, their words begin to paint the scene, not just explain it.
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Show, do not tell" is hands down one of the best writing tips out there. It pushes us to create vivid, engaging scenes that let the reader experience the story rather than just read about it. I used to think adding more adjectives was enough, but now I understand it is about painting a picture through actions, dialogue, and sensory details. It brings the writing to life in a way that telling never could.
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