Five ways to avoid flabby middles
My favorite scene in the movie “High Fidelity” is when Rob Gordon (John Cusack) becomes so depressed over his failed love life that he seeks solace in reorganizing his albums.… Read the full article
Story structure
Inverted pyramid structure of news writing topples
Ways With Words study: Features more effective
If I told you there was a communication tool that reduces readership, diminishes understanding and causes engagement to take a nosedive, would you use it?… Read the full article
Are you still using a 150-year-old content writing structure?
The inverted pyramid was born during the Civil War
At about the time these Union soldiers were marching off to war, journalists invented the traditional inverted pyramid news structure. … Read the full article
Think Outside the Pyramid for good writing structure
Master a writing structure that outperforms the traditional news format
Here’s the good news: You already know a structure that works for virtually everything you write.… Read the full article
How to write a nut graf, or nut graph
Tell readers what you’re going to tell ’em
If I came to your house and told you to grab your things and follow me, how far would you go?… Read the full article
Why should you write feature article leads?
The New York Times runs 33% feature leads
New York’s Grey Lady isn’t so gray any more. Topping one-third of its stories with feature leads, The New York Times covers the world in living color.… Read the full article
Anecdotes make good feature leads
To draw readers in, tell them a story
Here’s how Korbel Champagne Cellars topped a PRSA Silver Anvil Award-winning pitch:
Have you heard about the guy who mowed “Will You Marry Me?”
… Read the full articleHow to organize writing notes
Break into sections, then structure the parts
So you’ve chosen your organizing scheme. Here are some tips for pulling your story together.
1. Put your info in buckets.
… Read the full articleEnd with a bang
Leave a lasting impression in the kicker
Think of the kicker as the fireworks display at the end of the Fourth of July picnic. It’s the reader’s reward for making it to the end of the piece.… Read the full article
How to write a conclusion
Leave a lasting impression with these 2 key elements
It’s easy to end an inverted-pyramid story: Stop typing.
Sadly, coming to an abrupt halt doesn’t work for feature-style stories.… Read the full article