Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

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MENTAL MODEL · M3750

Show, Don't Tell

Show, Don't Tell
CollaborateHigh supportCommunication
Included
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-28

CORE DEFINITION

"Show, don't tell" is a narrative technique used in various kinds of texts to allow the reader to experience the story through actions, words, subtext, thoughts, senses, and feelings rather than through the author's exposition, summarization, and description. It avoids adjectives describing the author's analysis and instead describes the scene in such a way that readers can draw their own conclusions.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

"Show, don't tell" is a narrative technique used in various kinds of texts to allow the reader to experience the story through actions, words, subtext, thoughts, senses, and feelings rather than through the author's exposition, summarization, and description.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Use sensory details and facts to let readers/listeners draw their own conclusions, rather than directly imparting adjectives or evaluations. The mechanism is "evidence over assertion"—facts are more powerful than labels.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

  • link
    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Show%2C_don%27t_tellZH · Explicit
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