How do you effectively 'show not tell' in your college essays?

“Show not tell” means letting the reader feel or witness your traits through your actions, dialogue, and details, instead of stating them plainly. If you want to convey that you're resilient, it’s much more memorable to depict a specific situation where you demonstrated resilience, rather than just writing, "I am resilient."

For example, instead of saying, "I was resilient when I had a setback in the science fair," you could write: “As my volcano project collapsed the morning of judging, I knelt on the gym floor, hands sticky with glue, and rebuilt every peak from memory, finishing just as the judges reached my table.” Here, the reader sees your response and feels your determination without you ever using the word resilient.

Start by zooming in on a real moment — use sensory details, internal thoughts, and even dialogue if it fits. Imagine your essay as the opening of a movie: let the reader see the setting and your reaction. For instance, instead of “I struggle with public speaking,” you might write, “Clutching my notecards in sweaty palms, I watched my classmates’ faces blur as I forced myself up to the lectern.”

To be sure your main qualities still come through, especially in that last paragraph (often called the "so what" moment), you can reflect explicitly, but tie it back to the specific story. Something like, “In rebuilding that volcano, I discovered that my instinct isn’t to give up — it’s to find a way through.”

A helpful strategy is to show, then reflect. Tell the story, bring the reader inside a single experience, and after the vivid scene, briefly explain what you learned or how it shaped you. Just remember, even your reflection should be personal and connected to your story—avoid generic takeaways.

Lastly, as you revise, look for spots where you use an adjective to describe yourself ("hard-working," "creative," etc.). Try swapping those out for scenes or small moments where you display those traits. For example, if you want to convey helpfulness, show yourself going out of your way for someone—maybe skipping lunch to tutor your friend, instead of just calling yourself helpful.

Ultimately, when you “show not tell,” you trust your reader to understand who you are through your choices, reactions, and voice. This will make your essay more memorable and impactful.