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Yes you should 'show' your characters' emotions rather than 'tell' them. There are several reasons: (i) it avoids boring the reader (ii) it credits your reader with emotional intelligence
Here's a simple example (probably not the best example in the world, but it's one that comes to mind!)
- Little Freddie was so happy. He was very pleased with his birthday present.
It's quite bland. The reader tends not to care whether Freddie was happy or not.
- Little Freddie shrieked with excitement as he ripped the wrapping paper off his birthday present.
It's quite obvious he was happy!
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I am a Home Schooler and my mom just taught me about that
Telling is just letting someone know about the topic but telling is more interesting becuase it gives an example
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Don't wish to muddy the waters but with regards to Carl's example, isn't 'shrieking "with excitement"' an example of telling? It's telling the reader he is excited. Wouldn't 'shrieking whilst jumping up and down with a beaming smile' be showing he was excited?
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