Why do writers often try to show rather than tell in their writing?

Answer 1

You show important information; you tellunimiportant information.

Showing means that you give the reader the information by describing actions - anything that is moving along in an exciting way is showing.

Example: Chunks of snow flew down the hillside like a gigantic white river. The rushing torrent swallowed trees, boulders, and finally cascaded over the edge of a cliff.

Telling means that you use passive voice and sound like a textbook; it's more boring, so just use it for unimportant information.

Example: After two weeks, the campers were tired of eating trout.

For characters, showing is a way of making the reader understand what the character is like without saying it directly. For example, rather than saying 'Ricky was overprotective of his wife' (which is telling), you could describe a time when Ricky jumped in to protect his wife when it wasn't needed.
It means to not tell. But try to show it. For example. "His cheeks turned as red a red tomato! as kids stared at him he felt a huge gulp go down his throat. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. " You can tell that he is nervous and embarrassed. See how I didn't just come out and say " He was embarrassed!"

Answer 2

By showing rather than telling, writers engage the reader more effectively by allowing them to experience the story through the characters' actions, thoughts, and dialogue. Showing helps to create a more vivid and immersive experience for the reader, drawing them into the story world and enabling them to connect with the characters on a deeper level. This can lead to a more memorable and impactful reading experience.