show and tell vs fiction and non fiction.

Show vs. tell, is always a balance. It's not "always show, never tell", it's more like "show what's important so the reader can easily visualize the scene, tell when the detail is insignificant." And you're right, in nonfiction there's often more "tell" than "show".

If it's an important episode you're trying to get across to a reader, then describe it in the most clear and "visualizing" way you can.

Alleycat summed it up nicely. I can't think of the author off the top of my head, I know a sin, but the latest bio on Ben Franklin is a good example of how to mesh the show and tell into a book that dosen't become so dry you can't read past the 5th page.

I just have to psot and say that I am glad to be part of AW. It's so wonderful to come on and check out the various discussions, joining in when appropriate. I just started a narrative non-fiction book and have great hope for it, my new WIP. But primarily I write fiction.