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Thinker Since: May, 2011
Jul 3rd 2014 at 8:27:19 AM •••

Personally, I prefer if they Tell, Don't Just Show. Like the sample picture about the tattoo; maybe the tattoo means she's tough, but maybe she just got really drunk, or maybe she gave in to peer pressure while crying all through it, or it has religious significance or something. Don't just rely on a picture; also use a few words to TELL me.

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RTaco Since: Jul, 2009
Nov 11th 2015 at 4:07:27 PM •••

That's poor writing. You convey her toughness through her actions, not by her or anyone else talking about how she's tough.

RTaco Since: Jul, 2009
Nov 11th 2015 at 4:04:20 PM •••

I propose changing the page quote to: "You can't just have your characters announce how they feel! That makes me feel angry!"

Edited by RTaco
hamishtodd1 Since: Nov, 2012
Sep 23rd 2013 at 3:09:29 AM •••

So there's a trope called an antepiece which is a method game devs use to show rather than tell. Where should that go?

Linna Since: Jan, 2013
Apr 14th 2013 at 11:19:31 AM •••

Why is this page all about aversions of show-don't-tell? It should be called Tell Don'tShow instead.

Edited by 84.202.21.94
Stoogebie Since: Apr, 2011
Jul 19th 2012 at 7:03:04 AM •••

  • Meaningful Name: a quick (some might even say lazy) way to let us know what a character is like.

I know that Tropes Are Not Bad, and that there cases of this trope getting out of hand, but I wouldn't necessarily say it's "lazy", especially if it doesn't define the whole character; for instance, if I have a character whose initials spell out J.A.B., as a subtle foreshadowing to her being the Vorpal Blade*

, it's certainly not being lazy...Or Is It?

By the way, I do have a character like that, but it's not like I spoiled anything for anyone.

Edited by Stoogebie Hide / Show Replies
Jaqen Since: Nov, 2012
Dec 16th 2012 at 11:03:53 PM •••

Harry Potter 6, Chronicles Of Narnia 2 and The Hobbit movies all have Adaptation Distillation: in the Books, people talk about the Back Story; in the Films, we see those scenes.

Edited by Jaqen What if there were no hypothetical questions? There are 10 kinds of people: those who understand Binary and those who don't.
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