This is a great essay. It explains the whole "showing vs. telling" thing a lot better than any of my English teachers ever did. Also, bonus points for referencing Slaughterhouse-Five. I love that book...
Intresting essay. I got a few laughs in there to..and a few shudders but hey it's your essay and you wanted to get your point across. Good advice for writers. I've heard the phrase and now I actually understand it!!!
I think a comment from one of my old professors falls in line with this post:
"Never tell the audience what they are supposed to know. If you want them to sense nostalgia in your character, don't say 'nostalgia' anywhere near that section."
So balancing what you're telling with what you're dictating seems to be the priority. Showing generates better understanding and empathy, telling generates great impact, and dictating just makes the audience say "gee, thanks for nothing".
liamc2
Otakuite+ | Posted 09/12/08 | Reply
I rather enjoyed the essay. Weird that I've never thought about this sort of thing in such context before. Certainly a great help.
PuppylovePyro
Otaku Eternal | Posted 09/12/08 | Reply
Wow, that's way better than my English teacher ever did and I love your examples,
gaaralovesyou123
Otakuite+ | Posted 09/11/08 | Reply
Great Advice. I'll be refering to this whenever I'm have trouble with showing and telling
Cezieni
Otakuite++ | Posted 09/11/08 | Reply
This is a great essay. It explains the whole "showing vs. telling" thing a lot better than any of my English teachers ever did. Also, bonus points for referencing Slaughterhouse-Five. I love that book...
Katana
Goggalor (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 09/11/08 | Reply
I am commenting to say I am disappointed you didn't use the word "dickweed". But you did have the guts to say "prick", so the points get returned.
"In Kat's wor we trust."
Keome
Otaku Legend | Posted 09/10/08 | Reply
Intresting essay. I got a few laughs in there to..and a few shudders but hey it's your essay and you wanted to get your point across. Good advice for writers. I've heard the phrase and now I actually understand it!!!
My thoughts create my world
Allamorph
Spiritus Memorae (Otaku Eternal) | Posted 09/09/08 | Reply
I think a comment from one of my old professors falls in line with this post:
"Never tell the audience what they are supposed to know. If you want them to sense nostalgia in your character, don't say 'nostalgia' anywhere near that section."
So balancing what you're telling with what you're dictating seems to be the priority. Showing generates better understanding and empathy, telling generates great impact, and dictating just makes the audience say "gee, thanks for nothing".