Why Showing Works:

1. Engages the reader's imagination: When you show rather than tell, you activate the reader's imagination. This engages more of their brain, making the experience more immersive and memorable.
2. Creates an emotional connection: Specific details and vivid descriptions allow readers to form their own emotional responses. This personal connection is more powerful than being told how to feel.
3. Builds credibility: Anyone can claim to be hardworking or creative. Showing these traits through concrete examples proves your qualities more convincingly.
4. Respects the reader's intelligence: Showing allows readers to draw their own conclusions, which feels more respectful and engaging than being told what to think.
5. Enhances memory retention: Our brains are wired to remember stories and specific details better than abstract statements. Showing through anecdotes makes your essay more likely to stick in the admissions officer's mind.

The Psychology Behind Showing vs. Telling:

• Brain activation: When we read detailed descriptions of actions, our brains activate as if we're performing those actions ourselves. This creates a deeper, more visceral understanding.
• Concrete vs. abstract thinking: Our brains process concrete information more easily than abstract concepts. Specific examples (showing) are easier to grasp and remember than general statements (telling).
• The connection effect: When readers have to make their own connections and draw conclusions (as they do with "showing"), they typically remember the information better.

Finding the Right Balance:

While "showing" is powerful, some "telling" is necessary to provide context and structure to your essay. Here's how to strike a balance:

• Use telling for transitions and to provide necessary background information.
• Show when discussing your key qualities, experiences, or lessons learned.
• Aim for about 70% showing and 30% telling as a general guideline.

Examples:

Telling: "I am passionate about environmental conservation."

Showing: "Every Saturday morning, I wade into the chilly stream behind my house, testing water quality and documenting local wildlife. My bedroom walls are covered with charts tracking the stream's pH levels and biodiversity over the past two years."

The "showing" version not only proves the passion but also demonstrates dedication, scientific thinking, and long-term commitment.

Mastering the art of "show, don't tell" can transform your college essays from forgettable to captivating. By engaging the reader's imagination, creating emotional connections, and respecting their intelligence, you'll craft essays that truly showcase who you are and why you'd be a valuable addition to any college campus.

Remember, the goal is to paint a vivid picture of your experiences and qualities, allowing admissions officers to see you as a real, three-dimensional person rather than just another application in the stack.

If you're interested in learning more about how College MatchPoint can help your student create essays and a resume that truly shine, we invite you schedule a complimentary consultation and tell us about your student.