Most people fail at basic writing advice:
"Show, Don't tell."
You're either doing showy telling, or you think this doesn't apply to you, and you're wrong:
Showing-not-telling isn't just for fiction writers.
Showing will improve your emails, your headlines, your articles, even chats to your colleagues in Slack and texts with your partner.
Show more often, and...
People's eyes will light up when you write.
Most people think 'Show, Don't Tell' simply means:
Engage the reader's senses. Describe what is seen, heard, felt, smelled, or tasted... instead of telling about the experience.
Example:
I was disappointed. --> I frowned.
But focusing on the senses often leads to more distanced writing.
Sentences beginning with horrible phrases like:
• I saw...
• She heard...
• He smelt
(We feel further away, not closer.)
And most of the time, none of these make sense in the work world or real life anyway.
But take the above about showing:
"People's eyes will light up.."
I could have written,
• People will be impressed
• Your writing seem high-quality
• You'll tap into people's emotions
But the visual of an eyes-light-up moment creates a visual... and an emotional connection.
Good showing in business writing is often a subtle tweak.
Finish tasks quickly --> Check off your to-do list in record time
One states a benefit in 'telling' terms. The other allows the reader to picture themselves achieving success.
Show what success looks like.
You think you understand, but you don't.
Most people don't go far enough when showing.
I've been editing a friend's sci-fi adventure novel. She's a pro author, and a common mistake even she makes is not painting a vivid enough picture.
My mind ends up blank...
"A crowd of people gathered around the accident."
That seems to be showing right? It can be seen.
But does it create a mind-picture or simply vaguely describe?
Instead, try:
"Bystanders from the crosswalk encircled the scene. None approached close enough to help, however."
Showing requires that you trust that your readers will understand without being told everything.
This is good.
It engages makes the reader feel like an insider and excites their mind.
You can't always show very often,
but the next time you're staring at a blank screen,
try to paint a picture with your words, instead of telling us what to think.