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
Feature Structure
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?” into his lawn?
… 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
This release hits home
Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston nails PR features
It was a good story: More than 1,000 New Englanders would soon have safe, decent, affordable places to live, thanks to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston’s Affordable Housing Program.… Read the full article
Feature-style story form easy as 1-2-3
Strathcona County masters ‘stack of boxes’ structure
Here’s the good news: You already know how to organize your copy.
Just think back to what your third-grade English teacher taught you.… Read the full article
Stroke of editing: feature structure
Ann audaciously takes on Jill Bolte Taylor’s bestseller
Jodie Foster is not planning to play me in the Sony Pictures movie of my life. Ron Howard will not direct the major motion picture version of my New York Times bestselling book.… Read the full article
Tough nut to crack
Put your story into a nutshell in the nut graph
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