What are some exercises to practice showing vs. telling in writing?

What are some exercises to practice showing vs. telling in writing?

One effective exercise is to take a simple sentence like 'She was sad' and rewrite it to show her emotions through actions or dialogue.

Can you give me an example of how to rewrite that?

Sure! Instead of 'She was sad,' you could write, 'Tears streamed down her face as she stared blankly at the ground.' This shows her sadness through imagery.

What other exercises can help with this?

Another exercise is to describe a scene using only sensory details. For instance, describe a bustling market without stating it's busy; use sounds, sights, and smells.

How can I apply this in my storytelling?

In storytelling, focus on character actions and reactions to convey emotions and settings, allowing readers to infer feelings and atmosphere.