Doodling Medix Notes [Random Book 3]

Show VS Tell

Ya know, I never understood what this phrase meant till I read some badly written stories that I finally understood what they meant.

For an example, if you are going to write a character who is known to have some depression-like characteristics, here it is:

1st Scenerio- Character 1: Oh I'm sad and all because I have depression since my brother died in front of me...

2nd Scenerio- Character: *exceptionally quiet, with sunken eyes and a slumped look*

Character 2: Hey, are you alright?

Character 1: *shaken out of the state, sad tone* Huh? Oh... Y-y-yeah! I... I'm fine... Just recalling... Old... *starts tearing up* It's... It's my fault... He's dead...

*******

Alright, let's discuss the scenarios

In the first one, we were just told directly the character had depression and it was because their brother was dead

In the second one however, the reader can infer that the character had depression, but it wasn't just because of brother's death, it was also because of guilt given that they are convinced that it was their fault.

The second one not only gave the reader a chance to understand the character through indirect characterization, but also gave them a chance to know more about the character through their actions.

Another example is one Digibro [a youtuber] made during a video of his:

For an example, he mentioned that even if the main character never reminded the audience constantly that he was an otaku fan, the audience would have inferred that anyway given the fact that he is wearing a shirt with an anime drawing on it and his phone case is covered with anime related keychains.

But because he constantly reminded the audience that he was an otaku fan, it extinguished the character introduction along with the curiosity. 

Another example would be Black Butler. We as the audience can infer that Sebastien wasn't human, without us being told directly that he was a demon. From being able to keep up with ALL the jobs in the house to pulling off the table cloth at inhumane speed, and Ciel's subtle drops of him comparing Sebastien to a demon.

*takes a deep breath*

Please, if you know someone who does Tell Not Show send them this link here because Is2g I cannot handle anymore of little to no show