show, don't tell

Questions

How do you pronounce show, don't tell?

The recorded pronunciation is /ʃəʊ dəʊnt tɛl/.

What does show, don't tell mean?

Advice to writers: convey an impression by the way that events are described in the narrative, and not by explicitly stating facts.

How to pronounce show, don't tell

1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “show, don't tell”.
2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ʃəʊ dəʊnt tɛl/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “show, don't tell”.
4. Repeat and practice — Say “show, don't tell” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.