Show as well as tell
Having trouble remembering the difference between abstract and concrete? Let Stephen Sondheim help.
The musical composer and lyricist of “Sweeney Todd,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” and “Into the Woods” once said:
“If you told me to write a love song tonight, I’d have a lot of trouble. But if you tell me to write a love song about a girl with a red dress who goes into a bar and is on her fifth martini and is falling off her chair, that’s a lot easier.”
Love is the idea, the concept, the theme. It’s abstract.
The woman in the red dress illustrates that idea. It’s concrete.
| Abstract | Concrete |
| Concept | Illustration |
| Tell | Show |
| Love | Woman in the red dress |
It’s the difference between showing and telling.
How do you make sure you’re showing and not just telling? Pass the red pen-yellow highlighter test.
How can you make tedious topics interesting?
Fun facts and juicy details might seem like the Cheez Doodles and Cronuts of communication: tempting, for sure, but a little childish and not particularly good for you.
Not so. Concrete details are more like salad dressing and aioli — the secret sauces it takes to get the nutritious stuff down.
Now you can learn to use concrete details to change people's minds — and behavior — at Master the Art of Storytelling, our business-storytelling workshop starting May 17.
There, you’ll learn six quick ways to add color to your message and how to help readers understand big ideas through specific details.
Save up to $100 with our group discounts.
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