How Adjectives and Adverbs Can Transform Writing from Telling to Showing
Knowing how to use the fundamental elements of writing can improve your overall story
One of the most common pieces of advice writers hear is: “Show, don’t tell.”
But what does that actually mean? At its core, showing is about pulling readers into a scene through vivid detail, action, and sensory language. Instead of summarizing what’s happening, you let readers experience it as though they’re standing right beside your character.
Think of it as creating a movie in the reader’s mind — where words are your camera.
Now the question is: how do we turn this into a writing habit? Two of the simplest tools at our disposal are adjectives and adverbs.
How Adjectives Enhance Showing in Writing
Adjectives modify nouns, sharpening them from vague shapes into something readers can see, smell, or feel. By answering questions like What kind? Which one? How many? adjectives help transform a plain description into an immersive moment.
Example:
Telling: The house was creepy.
Showing: Stepping into the house, I was hit by the musty stench of rotted wood. Dust clung to the sagging furniture, and in the dim light, my chest tightened when I noticed a glassy-eyed grizzly head mounted above the fireplace, frozen in a perpetual snarl.
Notice how the second version doesn’t just say “creepy.” It shows the creepiness through sensory detail and specific imagery.
Tips for using adjectives effectively:
Engage the senses. Use adjectives that tap into sight, smell, touch, taste, and sound.
Be precise. “Cold air” is generic. “The sharp morning air that stung my nose” is vivid.
Think cinematically. Write so the reader can picture the scene frame by frame.
Evoke emotion. The right adjectives immerse the reader in how a character feels — fearful, delighted, uneasy, or exhilarated.
How Adverbs Contribute to Showing in Writing
Adverbs often get a bad reputation, but when used thoughtfully, they add nuance and rhythm to a scene. They modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, clarifying how something is done.
Instead of relying on them to replace action, use adverbs to layer meaning. For instance:
Telling: She walked quickly into the room.
Showing with action: She hurried into the room, her footsteps sharp against the tile.
Showing with nuance: She hurried into the room, shoulders stiff, her breath unevenly catching in her throat.
In the last version, the adverb “unevenly” isn’t just a filler — it shapes the image and reflects her emotional state.
Tips for using adverbs effectively:
Use them sparingly — don’t let them carry the weight of description.
Pair them with strong verbs and adjectives to add texture.
Let adverbs reveal mood or tension, not just movement.
“Show, don’t tell” isn’t about stripping your writing of simplicity — it’s about balance.
Adjectives and adverbs, when chosen with care, can shift your writing from flat summaries into immersive, cinematic experiences.
Use them as spotlights to illuminate the details that matter most, and your reader won’t just see your story — they’ll feel it.