Show, Don’t Tell Template 1
Show/tell decision: Importance [high/low] + repetition [one-time/repeated] + ambiguity [useful/not useful] → choose scene, summary, or a blend.
21 Show, Don’t Tell Templates
Start with structure, then replace every placeholder with information that is true, relevant, and natural for your context. These templates are intentionally skeletal so your final writing does not sound mass-produced.
Use the framework
How to personalize a template
Good fiction uses both showing and telling. Showing is valuable for emotionally important or interpretive moments; telling is efficient for transitions, repeated actions, background, and information that does not deserve a full scene.
- 1Choose the template closest to your actual purpose.
- 2Replace every bracketed field with specific information.
- 3Delete any sentence that does not belong in your situation.
- 4Read the result aloud for unnatural transitions or repeated phrasing.
- 5Verify names, dates, links, facts, and promises before sending or publishing.
Show, Don’t Tell Template 2
Scene conversion: Tell [abstract fact] → Show [specific action/detail/dialogue] → Reader infers [meaning].
Show, Don’t Tell Template 3
Summary compression: Repeated/low-stakes events [ ] → one telling sentence [ ] → next scene-worthy change [ ].
Show, Don’t Tell Template 4
Blend pattern: Tell [context/time passage]. Show [decisive moment]. Tell [brief consequence if needed].
Show, Don’t Tell Template 5
Context audit for Show, Don’t Tell: purpose → [ ]; reader knowledge → [ ]; format/length → [ ]; evidence or canon constraints → [ ]; what changes in this context → [ ]; final check → [ ].
Show, Don’t Tell Template 6
Scenario transfer worksheet for Show, Don’t Tell: current task → [ ]; reader/genre → [ ]; constraint → [ ]; tempting default → [ ]; better decision → [ ]; why it fits → [ ]; next related guide → [ ].
Show, Don’t Tell Template 7
Skill progression worksheet for Show, Don’t Tell: beginner version → [ ]; intermediate constraint → [ ]; advanced constraint → [ ]; what changed in the writing decision → [ ]; next skill to study → [ ].
Show, Don’t Tell Template 8
Constraint decision sheet for Show, Don’t Tell: normal case → [ ]; harder constraint → [ ]; what must stay true → [ ]; what can change → [ ]; evidence/reader/genre check → [ ]; specialist skill to study next → [ ].
Show, Don’t Tell Template 9
Misconception correction audit for Show, Don’t Tell: shortcut or assumption → [ ]; why it fails here → [ ]; corrective move → [ ]; principle that must remain true → [ ]; goal-based next skill → [ ].
Show, Don’t Tell Template 10
Failure-mode and reader-intent audit for Show, Don’t Tell: visible symptom → [ ]; likely underlying problem → [ ]; reader need → [ ]; competing technique considered → [ ]; correction → [ ]; evidence/genre/format constraint → [ ]; final verification → [ ].
Show, Don’t Tell Template 11
Boundary-and-tool-choice audit for Show, Don’t Tell: reader objection → [ ]; actual writing job → [ ]; evidence/genre/format boundary → [ ]; tempting alternative → [ ]; why it is the wrong tool here → [ ]; correct adjustment → [ ]; final verification → [ ].
Show, Don’t Tell Template 12
Evidence/support and mastery ladder for Show, Don’t Tell: minimum acceptable → [ ]; strong → [ ]; expert → [ ]; audience/genre constraint → [ ]; evidence or story support → [ ]; boundary that would require a different technique → [ ].
Show, Don’t Tell Template 13
Certainty and expert-exception audit for Show, Don’t Tell: statement or choice → [ ]; evidence/canon/authority supporting it → [ ]; confidence level → [ ]; uncertainty that must be named → [ ]; expert exception → [ ]; nearest alternative technique → [ ]; why the final choice fits better → [ ].
Show, Don’t Tell Template 14
Purpose-and-verification decision audit for Show, Don’t Tell: real writing job → [ ]; plausible choice A → [ ]; plausible choice B → [ ]; downstream consequence of each → [ ]; facts/evidence/canon to verify → [ ]; reader or genre boundary → [ ]; final purpose-fit reason → [ ].
Show, Don’t Tell Template 15
Publication-readiness audit for Show, Don’t Tell: claim/advice/example → [ ]; strongest available source tier → [ ]; important disagreement or uncertainty → [ ]; what would change the conclusion → [ ]; publish now / qualify / revise / hold → [ ]; final verifier or source of truth → [ ].
Show, Don’t Tell Template 16
Provenance and classification audit for Show, Don’t Tell: draft statement/example → [ ]; classify as fact / interpretation / recommendation / convention / original example → [ ]; source or internal provenance → [ ]; source date / version / checked date → [ ]; attribution needed → [ ]; recency risk → [ ]; final publishable wording → [ ].
Show, Don’t Tell Template 17
Source-record and update audit for Show, Don’t Tell: statement / example → [ ]; external fact, project fact, interpretation, recommendation, convention, or original example → [ ]; controlling first-party / primary source → [ ]; secondary source if used → [ ]; source record / locator → [ ]; date or version checked → [ ]; update trigger → [ ]; publish / qualify / revise / hold → [ ].
Show, Don’t Tell Template 18
Source-ledger and revision-history audit for Show, Don’t Tell: claim / recommendation / example → [ ]; source or project record ID → [ ]; source status active / superseded / corrected / retracted / retired → [ ]; claim-level last verified date/version → [ ]; event that triggered recheck → [ ]; correction / withdrawal action → [ ]; reader-facing disclosure needed? → [ ]; what changed and why → [ ]; prior wording/version retained at → [ ].
Show, Don’t Tell Template 19
Claim/source status audit: Item [claim/source/example] | Status [active / review due / stale / corrected / retracted / superseded] | Controlling source/version [x] | Last verified [date/version] | Stale trigger [x] | Correction severity [0–3] | Reader disclosure [none / note / correction / withdrawal] | Changelog entry [what changed + why].
Show, Don’t Tell Template 20
Dependency and propagation audit: Claim / example / recommendation [x] | Controlling source / project record [x] | Dependency strength [direct / shared / advisory / independent] | Review trigger / reason code [x] | Needs-review scope [local / direct dependents / cluster] | Replacement source requirements [x] | Carry-forward decision [x] | Propagation targets [x] | Reader disclosure / changelog action [x].
Show, Don’t Tell Template 21
Persistent editorial registry audit: Topic slug → [ ]; claim UID/key → [ ]; source UID/key → [ ]; dependency UID + strength → [ ]; source status/version → [ ]; open review UID/reason/priority → [ ]; replacement source if any → [ ]; reviewer + resolution → [ ].