A
truism in writing: both stories and
essays tend to be
terser, more
edifying and more
gripping if the point the
author is making is
demonstrated through
example and
experience rather than
explained. This is a guideline frequently
invoked by
writing teachers and one that I am inversely
illustrating right now! Wouldn't you rather i told a little story about how this rule helped me
conquer the world?
Also, filmically, showing is considered more authentic because it allows the subject to speak in their own words (or actions, as the case may be). Of course, this standpoint does not take into account the massive sense-making power of the filmmaker as editor and author of the story told with this "authentic" material.