Show, don't tell - Songwriting exercise
Anyone can write 'You made me angry.'
The details only you would think of are what make a listener feel like the song was written about them.
This exercise is really just practise in reaching for those details instead of the easy word.
Example
Emotion: jealousy (without using jealous, envy, or hate) "I know her laugh from the next room over" "You said her name twice while you were sleeping" Specific behavior beats naming the feeling.
Try it yourself
Try it yourself in the "Show, don't tell" exercise below.
Remember, there aren't really any wrong answers — the point is to get practice with the technique.
Show, don't tell
Like this one? Sign up for Chorus, and you'll get three new exercises every morning, picked for where your writing needs work.
Or, you can try out some more same exercises for free, below. Our range of exercises – crafted by songwriting professionals – will teach you techniques to strengthen your songwriting craft.
Chorus Songwriting Training
Start practicing like a professional, with unlimited exercises every day