4.7 "Show, Don't Tell" and Free Verse
Show, Don't Tell - 1
Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.
– Anton Chekhov
(Source: Goodreads)
What is meant by "Show, Don't Tell"?
You can tell your readers that:
Joe was tired,
or you can show that:
Joe rubbed his eyes and willed himself to keep them open.
You can tell your readers:
It is early spring,
or you can show that:
New buds are pushing through the late frost while the birds are hastily reinforcing their nests.