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Nut graph

Background tops the types of feature story leads to avoid

Don’t start with the blah blah blah

The background might be an important component of your story. After all, the readers might need some of the following elements to fully understand your story:

  • A definition
  • A short description of a key concept
  • A one-paragraph history of the subject
  • Additional facts or details that give context to the story or “prove” your point

Background comes third

But readers don’t need this material first.… Read the full article

How to structure a blog post [Example!]

WCB-Alberta talks opioid addiction with the feature structure

I love it when my clients send me their rewrites after I present a writing workshop.

For one thing, it’s gratifying to see that people’s writing actually improves after I visit!… Read the full article

Start with a bang

Show, don’t just tell, in the lead

I was training a group of magazine writers recently, when one brave soul, Marty, shared his lead:

“As someone who’s built build models in some exotic places, I know it’s easier when you have a special modeling studio.”
… Read the full article

Start with a bang

Show, don’t just tell, in the lead

I was training a group of magazine writers recently, when one brave soul, Marty, shared his lead:

“As someone who’s built build models in some exotic places, I know it’s easier when you have a special modeling studio.”
… Read the full article
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