What are the key differences between showing and telling in storytelling?

1 Showing Defined

Showing in storytelling is akin to painting a picture with words. It involves describing scenes, actions, and emotions in such a way that your audience can visualize the narrative unfolding. This method relies heavily on sensory details, metaphors, and similes to convey the subtleties of the characters' experiences. When you show rather than tell, you invite your listeners to infer and feel the underlying messages, which often leads to a more engaging and memorable communication experience.

2 Telling Explained

Telling, on the other hand, is straightforward and to the point. It's the narrative equivalent of stating facts or summarizing events without embellishment. This approach can be useful when you need to convey information quickly or when detail and nuance are less important. However, telling doesn't usually create the same emotional connection or visual imagery as showing, which can make it less effective for storytelling that aims to influence or move an audience.

3 Emotional Impact

The emotional impact of a story often depends on how well you can transport your audience into the narrative. Showing allows your audience to experience the story emotionally, as if they were a part of it, which can lead to a deeper connection with the message. Telling might inform your audience but it typically doesn't engage their emotions in the same way, which can limit the story's persuasive power.

4 Engagement Levels

Engagement is critical in business communications, and showing tends to create a more immersive experience for the audience. By showing, you're providing a platform for your audience to become active participants in the story, using their imagination to fill in the blanks. Telling might serve the purpose of informing but it often fails to capture the audience's attention in a way that compels them to listen closely and remember the message long after the story has been told.

5 Clarity and Pace

While showing has its advantages, telling can offer greater clarity and a faster pace. In situations where details may overwhelm or distract from the main message, telling can efficiently drive a point home. It's also useful when time is of the essence and you need to deliver a clear message without the luxury of extended storytelling. Balancing clarity and pace with the richness of showing is key to effective storytelling in business.

6 Strategic Application

Understanding when to show and when to tell is a strategic skill in business storytelling. Showing is ideal for creating narratives around brand values or complex concepts that benefit from emotional engagement. Telling is more appropriate for straightforward updates, instructions, or when addressing large amounts of data. Mastering the use of both techniques allows you to tailor your communication to the context, objectives, and audience needs.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?