Improve your Writing: Show, Not Tell

Become a better writer, no matter what you're writing! I'll show you how to take simple, boring sentences and turn them to vibrant, expressive writing. As you practice this technique in your writing, you will find it carries over to your everyday spoken English as well. Before you know it, you'll be a more dynamic, compelling speaker and writer.
To improve your creative writing, and to learn why it's important, watch this video next:
• Improve Your Creative ...
Learn more about descriptive writing techniques from @engvidAdam : • Build a picture with y...
And for extra English help, visit my website: honeyourenglish.com
Take the quiz on this lesson at: www.engvid.com/english-writin...
TRANSCRIPT
Welcome back to engVid. Here we are with a writing lesson. We are looking at the skill of showing, not telling, and it's going to transform your writing as long as you put it into practice afterwards. "Show, not tell. What's he talking about?"
When we're writing we want to avoid simple statements that don't really add any description or flavour. For example: "The man was stressed." [Snores] Boring. Instead, I want you to paint a picture, I really want you to describe the man is stressed without telling me that he is. So how can you do that? We're kind of trying to avoid this word, and describe it instead. So what's he doing? "The man was fidgeting. Ah, he's fidgeting. He's so stressed, he can't sort of stay still. And biting his nails." Okay? So pick out a couple of details that show how the person was.
Next one: "The room was messy." Again, it's a simple, simple sentence. It's just one sort of main clause and it's not very interesting. Much better to describe the items in the room that make it messy. For example: "There was a leftover pizza, dirty clothes were strewn"... I'll write that word for you. That means they were covering the floor. "...and there were dirty plates and cups". Okay? These details give us the idea that it is messy.
Example three: "The woman was confident." Okay, but it would be much more effective if you described how she was confident. So, how does she move? How do other people react to her? "She strode", that means she walked, but with purpose. Okay? So I've picked an interesting verb. "She strode into the room, and everyone turned their heads to notice her." Okay? Much clearer, more vivid idea of confidence than just saying she was confident.
Example four: "The boy was careful." Tell us how he was careful. "He placed his favourite magazine in the top drawer of his cabinet." Okay? So we need to say exactly what he is placing, the object there has been missed out. "He placed"... There's no room for me to write it. You get the idea, he places his favourite book or magazine, and look how specific it is: "the top drawer of his cabinet".
Next example: "The stadium was full." Again, I'm bored with this simple sentence construction. We need to make it more interesting. "The sound from the stadium was deafening", okay? And then give us some main action perhaps: "The sound from the stadium was deafening as the crowd rose up to chant the player's name." Okay? Give the sense that the stadium is full from what you can see and what you can hear. Okay?
A couple of ones to describe weather. "It was hot." Okay? Well, a very young child could write a sentence like that, so if you're sort of a teenager or an adult, it's time to raise the bar. How can we tell that it is hot? Well: "The sun was causing damage to", "The sun was melting", "The sun was burning", "The sun was causing the lady's skin to turn red". Okay? Pick out details that show the effect.
"It was cold. It was cold." How do we know it was cold? How cold did it feel? What can you see? "Drainpipes were freezing, ice was as thick as"... I don't know. "It was three inches thick." Whatever, you've got to show details rather than just stating things. -"It was windy." -"The umbrella was totally bent out of shape. The umbrella"-you know for keeping the rain off us-"was totally"-that means fully-"bent"-Yeah? Bent-"...out of shape", out of its normal position.
"He found it funny." Right? How funny did he find it? Okay? Better to... For us to get the idea to picture what he was doing: "He was rolling around the floor in hysterics." Okay? When you're so... Find something so funny, you're like: [Laughs]. Okay? He can't control his body he finds it so funny. "Hysterics", that means like totally lost control. "Hysteria". Okay? Hysterics. "In hysterics" means finding something really, really funny.
"The castle was captured." Right. I want to get a sense of drama. I want to imagine what's happening there at the castle. Is the king having his head cut off? Are the new army marching in? What's happening? "The new flag was hoisted up on high, greeted by a cheer from the crowd." Okay? Paint pictures, pick out details.

Пікірлер: 1 800

  • @engvidBenjamin
    @engvidBenjamin3 жыл бұрын

    For extra English help, visit my website: honeyourenglish.com

  • @khaledmcgonnell8056

    @khaledmcgonnell8056

    2 жыл бұрын

    Both "Hone Your English" and "Honey Our English" are apt

  • @phillipsmith3422

    @phillipsmith3422

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@khaledmcgonnell8056 q

  • @bluealbin8156

    @bluealbin8156

    2 жыл бұрын

    I know how to show when writing. My question is however, do I have to go with it throughout the whole writing? Or it should be a mix of both tell and show? How do you create the perfect balance? A writer commented on my writing once and said that it became too descriptive. Is that a wrong approach? I am writing my first book ever, so I have a lot yet to learn.

  • @soyaliovee

    @soyaliovee

    Жыл бұрын

    @@khaledmcgonnell8056 lol

  • @kewp5885

    @kewp5885

    Жыл бұрын

    @@khaledmcgonnell8056 u got a point

  • @applecore8978
    @applecore89785 жыл бұрын

    I needed this. Sorry, I mean... My writing droned and bluntly stated scenarios without detail.

  • @MindBodyStorm

    @MindBodyStorm

    5 жыл бұрын

    Nice!

  • @khyzrshunhojas175

    @khyzrshunhojas175

    5 жыл бұрын

    Coolsome

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks

  • @ClockworkGearhead

    @ClockworkGearhead

    3 жыл бұрын

    Adverb! Ahhhhhh!!!

  • @johngalt8708

    @johngalt8708

    3 жыл бұрын

    that is the stupidest thing ever. It's like you just used a bunch of words you didn't know the meaning to.

  • @cold_static
    @cold_static2 жыл бұрын

    "Show, Don't Tell" is basically the "Tell me X, without telling me X" meme format applied to writing.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yes

  • @Orblinkluv

    @Orblinkluv

    2 жыл бұрын

    That's a good point! That's really funny. Imagine a teacher seeing this & using it in their lesson lol

  • @alienmakintosh479

    @alienmakintosh479

    2 жыл бұрын

    Wow i finally understand it, thanks

  • @thenumbertwo9136

    @thenumbertwo9136

    2 жыл бұрын

    Weirdly enough this genuinely helps me grasp the concept

  • @ramyamanimaran6475

    @ramyamanimaran6475

    2 жыл бұрын

    Is it pun applied here?

  • @davidbailey8211
    @davidbailey82115 жыл бұрын

    Good video! I have something to add which I learned from my writing classes. Many of your "showing" sentences used the to-bes "was" or "were". These words in and of themselves can lead to passive and even telling writing--not to mention verbose writing, meaning using more words than necessary to describe or say something. Outside of thoughts and dialogue (people do talk that way after all), to-be's (am, are, is, was, were, be, being, been) should usually be eliminated. Example 1-"The man was fidgeting and biting his nails." could be written as "The man fidgeted and bit his nails." This eliminates a bit of verbose making the sentence more active and crisp. Example 2-"There was a leftover pizza, dirty clothes..." could be written in a more active way by writing it as "A leftover pizza and dirty clothes lay strewn about the floor." Hope this helps other writers out there. Thanks for reading!

  • @yan-bbyan

    @yan-bbyan

    5 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! My writing has been verbose lately and this would really help.

  • @aquamarine2416

    @aquamarine2416

    5 жыл бұрын

    you're Right, (I fixed my spelling)

  • @Modeltraveling

    @Modeltraveling

    5 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for this reminder. I was taught the same way. My essay writing professor at Columbia wouldnt allow us to use is, was or any of the to'be's--ever.

  • @thenextshenanigantownandth4393

    @thenextshenanigantownandth4393

    5 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the advice.

  • @Southpaw_canvass

    @Southpaw_canvass

    5 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for this!!

  • @xtonibx5770
    @xtonibx57704 жыл бұрын

    I practice this often. I write the vague sentences and then I describe them in more detail "It was hot" no. "Children complained in the car as the blazing sun fused their skin to leather seats." It's really fun and helps me catch vague sentences before I write them.

  • @aditidhingra9767

    @aditidhingra9767

    4 жыл бұрын

    I am learning so much from the comment box as well

  • @neellavgogoi1453

    @neellavgogoi1453

    4 жыл бұрын

    😂😂😂

  • @neellavgogoi1453

    @neellavgogoi1453

    4 жыл бұрын

    That was dramatic

  • @xtonibx5770

    @xtonibx5770

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@neellavgogoi1453 Kind of? I guess. I still like it, though (if I removed the word "blazing" it'd be much better). The sentence is trying to convey how hot it is by describing something kids often do on hot summer days. It can also be a relatable memory that pulls the reader in with nostalgia. If you don't like it then you're allowed to have an opinion, but if you can't convey your opinion without a bunch of laughing emojis then I'm not going to take it seriously.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    Nice

  • @inkwyvern5171
    @inkwyvern51712 жыл бұрын

    Do neither. Don't merely show description. Burn this into your brain: learn how to lie. Showing _is_ telling. (Not really, but stay with me) They both translate in a nutshell: to reveal. Don't tell or show. Instead, suggest and allude. It doesn't stimulate the mind to be told and shown. *Implicit prose makes readers write the story for you.* Practice writing this way to rewire your brain. I'll demonstrate: Russet leaves eddied around the hurried steps of little red riding hood. From the gloom of the crooked wood came a howl that clutched her throat. Her pace quickened, her breath in debt, when a great shadow loomed along the path from behind to swallow her in darkness. She spun with a billowed cloak like the wide-eyed owls that hooted overhead. The wood stilled. Her cry echoed home to the woodsman's cabin and prickled the nape of his neck. It carried cold along autumn streams and dark in the old burrow downs. Small birds scattered. Rabbits shied into dens. Then it whimpered through Grandma's window, who seized the scruff of her collar and gazed out into the murky unknown. Apples lay strewn and glistened bloody. The woodsman's axe was missing from the stump, and he was nowhere to be found. Grandma's garden gate creaked on the wind, her front door ajar. Lead readers on; the hook is in _not_ knowing, not _knowing._ *Make what you **_don't_** write more significant than what you do.* To simply show would read like this: the woodsman snatched his axe from the stump and leaped into the wood; it doesn't matter how little or much I describe it to you, I'm still telling you what happened, instead of provoking a reader's imagination. Make. Them. Guess. Imply meaning _from_ description; do not simply state(tell) or describe(show). Make every line on your page a hook that pulls readers deeper into your story. Every sentence and paragraph should ask a question. *A story should speak fluently without dialogue.* Torture your readers like the sadistic bastards we are.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    2 жыл бұрын

    Some great writing here - thanks for sharing.

  • @The-Clockwork-Eye

    @The-Clockwork-Eye

    2 жыл бұрын

    Brilliant, thank you.

  • @ijeawele3125

    @ijeawele3125

    2 жыл бұрын

    Incredible! Can a bland writer become this artful and eloquent? If yes, how long do you think it'll take? I would like to write the way Picasso painted, but how???

  • @inkwyvern5171

    @inkwyvern5171

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@ijeawele3125 definitely. I sustained brain damage about 4 years ago and lost my writing, imaginative and problem solving skills significantly. I became dyslexic with it, and writing is a very slow process for me still. If I sat there an entire day writing I'dprobablyget about 500-1000 words I'm happy with for a rough draft. Very slow writer now. Before brain damage, I was an imaginative and poetic machine, but I clawed enough of it back. I'm currently in hospital with severe covid pneumonia in both lungs so listen, my tip for you is to not write or think (when you write and think), just imagine and be inspired. That's how you get into the unconscious flow. Practice going to sleep imagining stories, this works for me. All the best my friend, and if survive this I'll write something a little more practical 😅

  • @troygreen8959

    @troygreen8959

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@inkwyvern5171 You have my prayer for your recovery. And I appreciate your passion, drive, and generosity!

  • @engvidAlex
    @engvidAlex6 жыл бұрын

    Great stuff, Benjamin! This was actually useful for me and my own hobby of fiction writing.

  • @tabahful

    @tabahful

    6 жыл бұрын

    it's work for academic writing also :)

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for watching, Alex

  • @grandmawweslammedamidget

    @grandmawweslammedamidget

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@AlAmin-xv8sz Stop having a stroke

  • @mikemalickyoutubechannel1101

    @mikemalickyoutubechannel1101

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@AlAmin-xv8sz Attention please 😂😂

  • @peaceandharmony4062

    @peaceandharmony4062

    3 жыл бұрын

    Alex You are the one of my great teachers.

  • @jamescleiton5571
    @jamescleiton55712 жыл бұрын

    "His explanation was great!" Or "He explaneid so much better than every teacher has taught me ever!".

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    2 жыл бұрын

    The second option should read: 'He explained the concept so much better than any other teacher had taught me before.'

  • @natethegreat7821
    @natethegreat78212 жыл бұрын

    Writing 101: Ask yourself how you know what you’re telling the reader. Ex: The man was stressed. Ask yourself “How do I know that?” Then share the answer with the audience: There was a man sitting in the corner of the waiting room. His hair was matted to his forehead where beads of had been sweat collecting. His right leg was shaking in a steady rhythm accompanied by his blank stare into the distance. Here, the reader might infer this man was either waiting to hear news on a loved one or even himself. Much more interesting than the original sentence and made possible via the ole “how do I know this?” questionnaire. Great advice & a great video!

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Nate!

  • @cassienawi9964
    @cassienawi99644 жыл бұрын

    I'm from Malaysia, and I truly love this simple, yet powerful tips to improve writing skill. This has been taught in school, but this short video made it so clear that I felt I haven't think before! Fully recommended for creative writing(narrative or descriptive) . Also, as I'm studying to become an English teacher, this is fully helpful to give me idea of teaching. Thanks Benjamin!😀

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    That's great!

  • @vietnam973
    @vietnam9732 жыл бұрын

    Me before watching this video: The man was mad there was only one chair left the store. Me after watching this video: The man roared in rage as he smashed the last chair in the Ikea store. Thanks for making this video!

  • @nomadz3354

    @nomadz3354

    2 жыл бұрын

    More like: The man was swept by a tide of agony and destitution as his beloved chairs were stricken away from him. Save for the one final seat, still for sale.

  • @vietnam973

    @vietnam973

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@nomadz3354 Beautiful

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Nam and Neoq!

  • @davidd1490

    @davidd1490

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@nomadz3354 poetic, but don't fit with the previous meaning hahaha.

  • @OhNoNotAgain42

    @OhNoNotAgain42

    2 жыл бұрын

    You guys should shop somewhere else

  • @mattiaslarsson4687
    @mattiaslarsson4687 Жыл бұрын

    The most comedic video about an educational topic I've ever watched. Thank you for all the laughs and great lessons, my dear sir.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    Жыл бұрын

    You're very welcome

  • @madnessbydesign1415
    @madnessbydesign14156 жыл бұрын

    Ironically, when I used descriptions like the "fidgeting and biting his nails" one, I was told that was too much 'stage direction'.

  • @madnessbydesign1415

    @madnessbydesign1415

    6 жыл бұрын

    "Fidgeting and biting his nails" is stage direction, I was told. "Let the actor figure out how to play it". Idiotic. I can put that line in a script, and the actor now has some idea of how to play it, rather than guessing at what the character is thinking. I don't care if they actually fidget, or bite their nails, but I do care that they convey the ideas I wrote for the character, otherwise a script is just ideas for an improv group.

  • @copykonsmusic1065

    @copykonsmusic1065

    5 жыл бұрын

    That is hilarious!

  • @cloud2012x

    @cloud2012x

    5 жыл бұрын

    In my writing class the reason that we were chastised for doing this is because some actors get angry when you tell them how to act. Writing "fidgeting and biting his nails" is better for novels, short stories, etc... and not screen plays, or at least that what my professors would say. Not saying that you are wrong or anything, honestly I still don't get it either lol.

  • @hteur1

    @hteur1

    5 жыл бұрын

    The examples are clearly exaggerated, but what is important is to get the idea.

  • @aquamarine2416

    @aquamarine2416

    5 жыл бұрын

    😂

  • @sharvyahmed
    @sharvyahmed3 жыл бұрын

    I work with logics, codes, and algorithms. Never have I ever tried to learn creative writing or story telling. But in recent times, somehow I am convinced, without better writing, specially better explaining, I can't be a good mentor. It took me sometime to find this video. These examples hooked me up. You have one more subscriber now! You deserve appreciation for such great content. Keep doing the awesome work, dude!

  • @truehare
    @truehare Жыл бұрын

    I think this was the best, most clear explanation of how "show don't tell" works that I've ever seen. At least it was the most helpful for me personally. Thank you.

  • @aristidezoides9616
    @aristidezoides96162 жыл бұрын

    Great advice for effective writing to make the reader actually feel the situation. like actually being in, experiencing and sensing the scene. 6 minutes that could change your understanding in effective communication through writing. Excellent and very well presented video.

  • @ChiotVulgaire
    @ChiotVulgaire4 жыл бұрын

    I feel there IS a place for the simple sentence, like when stating plainly a conclusion built up in a narrative or when it serves to contrast against being descriptive, but its also important to keep from over-elaborating. It is better to show than tell, but endlessly droning on or using increasingly verbose and esoteric words can feel tiresome. Shakespeare did say that "brevity is the soul of wit".

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    To be brief: definitely!

  • @citytrees1752

    @citytrees1752

    3 жыл бұрын

    You are guilty of your own accusation.

  • @themajor1884

    @themajor1884

    2 жыл бұрын

    Brevity IS the soul of wit. However, this video is not about effective communication; it's about making your writing more interesting. If I were reading a book, I'd be able to imagine a much clearer picture with the sentence 'He was fidgeting and biting his nails' than simply, 'He was stressed'.

  • @jinmgrant94

    @jinmgrant94

    2 жыл бұрын

    This is easy

  • @jadeandwhizz3566

    @jadeandwhizz3566

    Жыл бұрын

    @@themajor1884 that is very true plus I'm learning about the show not tell method and also as a writer and author to be . The teachers never went into detail about the method during English lessons i had in high school and college.

  • @WonderWithGil
    @WonderWithGil5 жыл бұрын

    This is very helpful. Now, I am trying to balance the teaching “keep it simple and cut all the unnecessary” and this one. But this i very helpful for creative writing. :)

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    That's the dilemma. See what you enjoy reading.

  • @nerosonic
    @nerosonic3 жыл бұрын

    The wealth of knowledge realized from this video now encourages me to write aspiring literature

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    3 жыл бұрын

    Go for it and keep learning.

  • @db4552
    @db4552 Жыл бұрын

    Trying to wrap my head around "show don't tell" and every answer is so typically complicated. This is short, sharp, simple and shiny. Thank you very much.

  • @sanityone649
    @sanityone6492 жыл бұрын

    Very good. Short and to the point. Well explained. I see this in my writing groups from writers of all levels. It's hard to get them to change their ways. Many writers that haven't bothered to learn the craft of writing are documenters rather than story tellers. They're stuck on writing what they saw, not what their character(s) felt or experienced.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for sharing that.

  • @vidyawitch
    @vidyawitch6 жыл бұрын

    my eyes widened... i took out a pencil, writing down the sentences from the video! thank u...this was incredibly helpful. good day.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    Nice

  • @judemorales4U
    @judemorales4U6 ай бұрын

    This video is 6 years old and it popped up on my feed. I'm 70 years old and feeling as if I have a story to tell. I think I'll begin in the morning.❤ I've got some pictures to paint. 😂

  • @Test-dr2dw
    @Test-dr2dw6 ай бұрын

    Quite literally a more on the nose type of teaching. This kind of education is unmatched. Thank you for you (as someone who struggles with descripting)

  • @dannyperry6505
    @dannyperry65054 жыл бұрын

    This was my first time on one of your videos, haven’t taken a quiz since school and I got a 10 out of 10 thanks for the lesson Benjamin

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    3 жыл бұрын

    You got this!

  • @marietesta7076
    @marietesta70763 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for a wonderful lesson, not only were you informative but you made the lesson seem like common sense. Just what I needed.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    3 жыл бұрын

    great

  • @danielstalks332
    @danielstalks3326 жыл бұрын

    Every tip on writing is a good tip. Thank you Benjamin, always well presented!

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    cheers

  • @Rueparkermusic
    @Rueparkermusic3 жыл бұрын

    This really helps me! I tend to struggle in my English classes and though my creative writing is decent, I really struggle to describe things! So thank you!

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    3 жыл бұрын

    Cool

  • @Kit_Nightwolf
    @Kit_Nightwolf4 жыл бұрын

    this was absolutely amazing, it had helped me a lot and now i can finally write my first story. The way how you explained it was so clear. keep up the good work.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    Glad it helped!

  • @grammarmia
    @grammarmia4 жыл бұрын

    Such an important skill and it makes a massive difference to the quality of a student's work - thanks for sharing, Benjamin

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely!

  • @boomboom1258
    @boomboom12588 ай бұрын

    A writer myself and I didn't think I'd need this advice - so helpful to improve my write-ups from now on.

  • @THEBATZZ
    @THEBATZZ3 жыл бұрын

    This is probably the best video that explains this concept. And I’ve watched many. Thank you for taking the time to teach it this way. Thank you.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    3 жыл бұрын

    You're very welcome

  • @trungdo3175
    @trungdo31753 жыл бұрын

    I've never seen any short video like this, with the effective details

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad you liked it!

  • @icanrelate

    @icanrelate

    3 жыл бұрын

    Same!

  • @juliette0523
    @juliette05232 жыл бұрын

    I can't thank you enough for this incredibly helpful video! This is exactly what I needed.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    2 жыл бұрын

    You're very welcome!

  • @deniszhytkov7488
    @deniszhytkov74887 ай бұрын

    It is astonishing how a single video can make such a dramatic difference in my writing. Thanks so much for it

  • 2 жыл бұрын

    Compact lesson, very straight and joyful to follow as time snatches by! Very good Mr. Bejamin!

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @nerd26373
    @nerd263733 жыл бұрын

    As an aspiring published author myself, I feel like I needed this type of advice.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm glad it was helpful for you.

  • @Ranjanwatson
    @Ranjanwatson29 күн бұрын

    Quick, yet excellent writing tips that can be applied to a variety of contexts. Thank you Benjamin.

  • @Aaliyah3965
    @Aaliyah39654 жыл бұрын

    Can't believe this stuff is free, this content is going to help me to write more descriptively my articles

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    go for it

  • @aqleemmuhammad8982
    @aqleemmuhammad89824 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Benjamin for teaching a wonderful lesson. This video was very useful for my daughter and she scored full marks in the quiz..all because of you

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @arnie1020
    @arnie10205 жыл бұрын

    Simple yet highly effective. Thank you!

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    :)

  • @irfanyaqub9643
    @irfanyaqub96432 жыл бұрын

    To be honest this lesson was so helpful… I actually got the idea from it to now tell anything straight away, just give the details or add the details… thank you sir.

  • @srirgallinonevlogs
    @srirgallinonevlogs2 жыл бұрын

    Great videos, Benjamin! This was actually useful for me and my own hobby of fiction writing.

  • @swimcrafters1743
    @swimcrafters17435 жыл бұрын

    My journalism teacher uses this phrase constantly. I enjoyed learning more about what it means!

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks

  • @serendipity6235
    @serendipity62353 жыл бұрын

    This is super helpful! I love writing, especially little scenarios that I made in my head but they always look so choppy.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    3 жыл бұрын

    Great!

  • @Kishan_Narrator
    @Kishan_NarratorАй бұрын

    after watching that video his eyes shrunk in happiness , he stood up looked into mirror and watched himself smile, he was cheered after long time.

  • @neil7987
    @neil79873 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, man. I DEFINITELY needed the clarity you gave in this video.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @UKImperium
    @UKImperium3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for this. I've been thinking about writing my own short stories and this will surely help me word things better.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    3 жыл бұрын

    Great!

  • @greathira
    @greathira4 жыл бұрын

    One of the best lesson I have ever seen, and quiz score 100.... I'm so happy

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    :)

  • @aktarulislambd.584
    @aktarulislambd.584 Жыл бұрын

    Your words are like the sweater a person needs in winter. It will make my writing better. Thanks.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    Жыл бұрын

    Interesting simile there, Aktarul!

  • @itsjacinth
    @itsjacinth10 ай бұрын

    i hope my english teacher was you. i love the way you convey it. it's simple and straight to the point

  • @randommess1870
    @randommess18706 жыл бұрын

    thankyou sir. I wish I could've seen ur video few months back. I'm almost at the end of writing my first novel.

  • @randommess1870

    @randommess1870

    6 жыл бұрын

    A.S. 1 thanks. but I've too many mistakes. will take time to edit. I'm on last 3 chapter's. it's called "parallel temptations" for now. may b wil change it later

  • @popcornandwater5903

    @popcornandwater5903

    6 жыл бұрын

    saba butt wow that sounds great! God bless you

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you

  • @FeonaLeeJones
    @FeonaLeeJones4 жыл бұрын

    Super helpful! I am trying to write essays for music grants and I need to stand out through not only my music, but my writing ability. This really helped thank you!!!

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    :)

  • @krisnafrsb
    @krisnafrsb6 ай бұрын

    Simple, to the point, excellent examples. Thanks great teacher

  • @christiandaveobando593
    @christiandaveobando5932 жыл бұрын

    This is a helpful for me since I am not a native english speaker and a novice writer online, I really have troubles describing the feelings, actions and emotions of my characters which my readers go 'Meh', I have written like five stories which two has at least 30,000 words, unfortunately my readers didn't like it at all, you see I have this ideas coming to my brain but due to my average or below average English skills, writing and furthermore the story itself, I failed to fully explain, as you said, to Show it, well I'm still improving and videos like this will help me, thanks for the upload!

  • @kasfiyazara9975
    @kasfiyazara99752 жыл бұрын

    You have my gratitude! Tomorrow's my test on creative writing and I really needed a perfect idea or tip on how could I standardize my writing skills.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    2 жыл бұрын

    Good luck!

  • @kasfiyazara9975

    @kasfiyazara9975

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@engvidBenjamin I really did well on that test, today. Thanks!

  • @orikakuli
    @orikakuli Жыл бұрын

    where the hell were you when i was in school. boy if I had a teacher like you not only I would be your favorite student but I would get 100 on any exam

  • @WritewithKali
    @WritewithKali6 ай бұрын

    Thank you. I'm a novel writer and I struggle with show not tell.

  • @tendaimuradzikwa4614
    @tendaimuradzikwa46146 ай бұрын

    Very insightful and straight to the point. Thank you.

  • @sheppardscott13
    @sheppardscott132 жыл бұрын

    "...Paint a picture." That depicts the subject 'show, now tell' so fluently. And so forth, great video!

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    2 жыл бұрын

    Glad you liked it!

  • @user-zt1ls9mc1f
    @user-zt1ls9mc1f Жыл бұрын

    I'm writing a paper this week for English Comp - thank you for helping my writing!

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    Жыл бұрын

    I assume that's English composition, not comprehension!

  • @majesticats4262
    @majesticats42623 жыл бұрын

    I learned more from this video than I have over the course of my grade 10 creative writing class. I wish we did more writing.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm glad you found it useful.

  • @Melanrick
    @Melanrick3 жыл бұрын

    That was simple, short but at the same time amazing and efficient in the usage of both time and words. Thank you very much, i was in very much need of it, including a video that would fit the criterea above. I cannot thank you enough for this video.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @ErikaFaithWarriorForChrist
    @ErikaFaithWarriorForChrist3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for this😊 It helps a lot even though I'm just starting streaming your video.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @piyalichhajed6009
    @piyalichhajed60093 жыл бұрын

    I always watch this video to get motivation for writing. This always comes handy :) Thanks!

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @keepmailinme
    @keepmailinme3 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely loved it. You were able to help me figure out how to draw a picture without using boring and dull words. Thank you.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad I could help

  • @mohdagar1587
    @mohdagar15872 жыл бұрын

    The videos I saw all my entire life about writing were nothing compared to this one, deep in my heart I knew that there was something wrong, finally there’s a step a head to establish a background for my writing

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    2 жыл бұрын

    Excellent, glad it works for you. You don't need to use it with every sentence, it's just a tool to expand description.

  • @moh_Alashwal
    @moh_Alashwal4 жыл бұрын

    This made my day. I am about to write an essay for a scholarship and now everything will totally change.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    Good luck

  • @tulaybalkan6007
    @tulaybalkan60075 жыл бұрын

    Wow thats the best help for my novel! Thank you very much! ❤

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    :)

  • @7th_CAV_Trooper
    @7th_CAV_TrooperАй бұрын

    Omg, this is the first time someone explained this in a way I understand.

  • @idkwhattonamemyself9326
    @idkwhattonamemyself93263 жыл бұрын

    First of all, I love your technique of teaching, I've never came across these types of videos, I'm literally glad this video was in my recommendation, would love to learn more phenomenal videos from your channel.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    3 жыл бұрын

    You're very welcome!

  • @marexibinsa2915
    @marexibinsa2915 Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for all the detailed information you have provided in this video. I like your way of explaining every point. Keep sharing such great videos in the future also.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @devarsai100
    @devarsai100 Жыл бұрын

    Show, Not tell One of the finest insights summed up in three words Very helpful Thank you

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    Жыл бұрын

    You're very welcome

  • @charles727727
    @charles7277273 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Benjamin! You are awesome and your tips are always very welcome!

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you.

  • @ceciliajudithsoriano348
    @ceciliajudithsoriano3484 жыл бұрын

    Love how you explain it properly!

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you

  • @aminezizou2932
    @aminezizou29324 жыл бұрын

    This video is exactly what I needed to improve my English language skills 😍😍😍 I'm glad that I found your Chanel 😎 Yes it's time to rise the bar 😍🍻

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    excellent

  • @matthewsankey817
    @matthewsankey8174 жыл бұрын

    Excellent video, so simple and impactful! I definitely want to put these tips into practice now, I feel like this really helped my writing skills with lyrics!

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    Cool

  • @CollectorXD
    @CollectorXD3 жыл бұрын

    Online learning is definitely difficult, but man using lesson perked up a few English grades. Truly a great way to get students into visual writing, thank you dearly for the lesson..

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    3 жыл бұрын

    Cheers

  • @burgularr852
    @burgularr8522 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much kind sir. Tomorrow I have a descriptive writing draft and when I watched your video, I knew the tips and tricks to make my writing better and pass the test. I am now practicing it so I can do well tomorrow.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    2 жыл бұрын

    Good luck

  • @skyflower2415
    @skyflower24152 жыл бұрын

    I’m writing my first book . Thank you for these tips 👍🏼 I didn’t pay much attention to this at school although prolific in my attempts ☺️🦋

  • @gazster

    @gazster

    7 ай бұрын

    i remember when i've watched a movie, or played a video game or read something and it's like i'd step back and sort of analyse and i would think to myself if only i was the creator here i'd make parts more intresting, it's like an urge there for the story telling side of it. i always remember thinking that, i already have a job at the moment so never really got in to writing ✍ but i think it would be intresting writing books, especially non fiction where your mind can go wild with the story telling side of it.

  • @yunosnutshell3833
    @yunosnutshell38332 жыл бұрын

    Very useful, I liked the energy and I found your expressions quite funny. c: Found myself engaging to this more than most of those other writing videos, Thanks. I really appreciate it.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    2 жыл бұрын

    You're very welcome.

  • @nireekshalkulal5706
    @nireekshalkulal57067 ай бұрын

    I'm from India. I was fishing about novel writing then I caught by your video which really captured all my attention. Decidedly it's really helpful 😊.

  • @n.n.mehenty3360
    @n.n.mehenty336011 ай бұрын

    Great lesson on writing. Thank you very much

  • @sarabegay6339
    @sarabegay63394 жыл бұрын

    Thank you. I've been hearing that "show don't tell" for ages but didn't know what it meant. This simple and understandable. Got it. Thanks again.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    :)

  • @jahsjewel
    @jahsjewel2 жыл бұрын

    I appreciate this so much. I'm writing my first book and really needed this lesson. The quiz reinforces the video nicely. Bravo.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @zack6731
    @zack67318 ай бұрын

    Nice lesson today. I'm too lazy to improve my writing skill and this is my first time to write an english sentence again since a long time ago, i know what's the point of the videos that i watched, and understand what they're talking, sometimes i also practice my speaking by reading a text and spelling pronounce vocabulary with more better and correctly. I'm so thankful with your video benjamin

  • @telescopegoldfish3688
    @telescopegoldfish36882 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much for this video! It's taken me so long to understand the show not tell thing. My brain just can't figure it out when people say to do this. I love writing, but it's difficult for me. Thank you again aaa! I've learned more in this tiny video than I did 3 years in English class

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    2 жыл бұрын

    You got this!

  • @rabbitherabbit7296
    @rabbitherabbit72963 жыл бұрын

    I love this! Your voice doesn’t sound like you were forced to do this like many other tutorials. 😂 I like how you went over multiple examples and you actually took time to go over those examples instead of rushing through. It helped me a lot! Someone commented a suggestion on my document saying, “maybe show not tell?” but I had no idea what they meant and when I saw this video, it helped me a ton! I usually do show, but then my words seem weird since I just keep describing or don’t know how to not stop. Thank you.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    3 жыл бұрын

    Cool. Thanks for the feedback.

  • @malthehakonssen605
    @malthehakonssen6055 жыл бұрын

    This helped me so much, thank you! I just finished writing my first novel.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    Awesome!

  • @yisroel6
    @yisroel6 Жыл бұрын

    This is fantastic and exactly what I was looking for. Thank you for the video!

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    Жыл бұрын

    You're very welcome!

  • @faceless8424
    @faceless8424 Жыл бұрын

    Short and to the point. Thank you!

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    Жыл бұрын

    You bet!

  • @Valentino016
    @Valentino016 Жыл бұрын

    This is super helpful. I was failing my writing exams. You gave me a clear understanding on how to be a better writer.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    Жыл бұрын

    Yay!

  • @Panma98
    @Panma984 жыл бұрын

    Thanks! This will really make my attempt at a webnovel more grandiose and exciting for the two readers I have... :D

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    :)

  • @aamirecan
    @aamirecan3 жыл бұрын

    this video and your teaching has definitely added a new, stable variable to the current abomination that is my writing. i will definitely be descriptive, paint integral details for the purpose of being good at written communication as well as understanding complex, intelligent journals and articles. thanks!

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    3 жыл бұрын

    Cool. Good luck!

  • @electrolyteblend
    @electrolyteblend5 ай бұрын

    People always say show dont tell, but they never say what they mean by it. This is a good video full of examples of what show dont tell means.

  • @VampirexEva
    @VampirexEva4 жыл бұрын

    10/10 sometimes I just need a refresher xD thanks!

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    No probs

  • @Agreedtodisagree
    @Agreedtodisagree4 жыл бұрын

    I sit completely stunned and fascinated at how powerful language can be when used purposefully.

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    Cool

  • @henrythomas7112
    @henrythomas7112 Жыл бұрын

    This is just the best video on the internet which explains all the procedures so efficiently. Great video! You explained this topic well. Thank you for sharing

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    Жыл бұрын

    You're welcome!

  • @justanotherperson7416
    @justanotherperson741610 ай бұрын

    Amazing video, very effective in how it delivers the necessary information, very clear and understandable.

  • @koreituboi3645
    @koreituboi36456 жыл бұрын

    million likes👍👍👍

  • @engvidBenjamin

    @engvidBenjamin

    4 жыл бұрын

    million thanks