Universal Principles of Storytelling for Designers

Literary Device

Show, Don’t Tell

An immersive storytelling technique.

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Russian playwright Anton Chekhov is credited with coining the phrase “show, don’t tell.” As the story goes, Chekhov wrote a letter to his brother declaring, “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of lights on broken glass.” Telling presents concise, factual statements while showing is all about sharing vivid sensory details and descriptions that paint a vibrant picture. Showing immerses your audience in a story. They begin to feel the story instead of just hearing it. Chekhov, in his quote, sparks my imagination. I can visualize the moon in a way that ...