Review: Show, don't Tell

In my brief time studying Journalism I did learn a few important lessons, and one of them was this: show, don't tell. When writing, and desirous of putting for a particular sentiment or emotion, it is vital to use the scenario and the background to create a particular emotional effect, rather than making it explicit in the form of emotive statements. For example, from Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert's Dune prequel:

(Paraphrased) 'Rhombur strode down the corridor, suddenly determined. For too lomg had his people suffered under the lash of the oppressor. No longer could he sit back and wait for others to fight his battles for him. Finally he would live up to his ducal responsibilities blah blah blah..."

The above is slamming home the point, not allowing the reader to draw any personal conclusions. There is no subtlety because the reader has no space to feel anything - it is all laid out in front of them. When expressing emotions, avoid using explicit modifiers; rather let the reader infer the emotion from the event.

Emotion is obviously one of the most powerful aspects of good writing, so be careful. Like with hugsm start off gentle. Let the event speak for itself.