31 sats \ 5 replies \ @k00b 4 May \ on: Show, Not Tell, What You Know BooksAndArticles
“Show don’t tell” is also common storytelling advice.
Indeed. I came here expecting to gain tips on how to include sensory details in my writing haha
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Use strong nouns and verbs. Avoid adjectives.
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Could you expound a bit more about when it would be counterproductive to use adjectives? I get how adverbs may make one’s writing weak but not adjectives.
In Singapore, we are schooled to employ adjectives to enliven our writing - but perhaps I’m talking about the context of having children and teens writing narratives and personal recounts.
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Same idea -- it just waters things down. Often there's a strong noun that obviates the need for an adjective.
These rules are just shorthand, of course there's a place for adjectives, adverbs, and everything -- that's why they exist. But in general, you should use them as sparsely as you can manage.
(Also, I should have said "avoid adjectives and adverbs" -- didn't realize I omitted adverbs.)
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Thanks! I will now examine your writing with a fresh pair of eyes and think about how I need to evolve. I have an affinity for adjectives, particularly ‘very’ adjectives. Like hilarious means very funny, seamless means very smooth etc. hah
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