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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/32090
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/32090
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

How can one establish the nature of a person/group to the reader without relying on actions to 'show' it? For example, if I have a group which is evil, how could I convey that to the reader without actions? Telling is of course an option, but I feel like I need to back it up with something, so the reader will know the group is evil beyond a doubt.

> _ADDITIONAL EXAMPLE_: Some people were getting confused over what I was going for, so I've attempted to clarify it here: Most authors will show a person or group is evil by showing an evil action. Maybe a brutal murder. My difficulty is that if I want to _remind_ the reader how evil this person is, I have to show that murder again, or create a new one. I call this _relying on action_: in order to show the nature of a person/group, you have to use repeating actions.
> 
> Alternatively, I'm going for a passive approach. I want a character or group to be inherently _understood_ to be evil. Action is not off of the table, but it's not the _reason_ why they are considered evil (you can reinforce the image with actions all you want). The reason they are considered evil is \_\_\_\_\_. That blank space is what I'm looking for.

A good example of this being done is Star Wars, specifically episode IV. Basically from the moment they are introduced, we understand the Empire and Sith are evil, and the Resistance and Jedi are good. I cannot tell how this is conveyed beyond all doubt.

In addition to simply conveying the nature of the person/group, I need to do so in a way that dispels all doubt. The reader needs to _know_ that this person or group is good, evil, or whatever their nature is. And I need to do it without relying on actions. **How can I do this?**

**Note:** In the event that you use Star Wars as an example as I did, please be aware that I have not yet seen _The Last Jedi_. Please do not spoil it for me.

Original score: 8