This post is part of the 📖 Everybody Writes series.
Today I am reading Chapter 17 of the book Everybody Writes written by Author Ann Handley.
Chapter 17
A Good Lede Invites You to the Party, and a Good Kicker Makes You Wish You Could Stay Longer
Give a special love to the first and last sentences of your piece.
A good lead, then, sets the tone for your writing and hooks the reader into wanting to know more.
A good lede invites you to the Party and a good kicker makes you wish you could stay longer — Matthew Stibbe
Author provided examples for each point described below. Go and get the book for more in-depth examples and anecdotes.
- Put your trade into the story.
- Describe a problem your reader can relate to.
- Set a stage.
- Ask a question.
- Quote a crazy or controversial bit of data.
- Tell a story or relay a personal anecdote.
- Other ideas
Finish strong? How?
- Recast the biggest takeaway of the piece. Try restating the main point of your piece—not as pure regurgitation, of course, but as a kind of synthesised summary.
- Add an element of tonal surprise
- Let otters have the last word
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If you are not into reading like me, then you can listen to this book for FREE on Amazon Audible
Don't Read. Just 🎧Key Takeaways
Starting and ending is two critical pieces of writing. A good start leads to a right tone and hooks the reader to continue reading the next page, next chapter, next book, upcoming series.
Finish strong with a call to action.
Summary
Give special love to the first and last sentences of your piece—the opening and closing, or the lede (lead) and kicker—in traditional journalism terms.
Why do that?
A good lede invites you to the Party, and a good kicker makes you wish you could stay longer.
I just glanced at the next chapter. It is Show, Don't Tell. It’s my favourite topic. I can’t wait to wake up and read the next chapter tomorrow. Now, I have a lot of work pending, so see you later, alligator.
If you read and understand the excellent practical and easy implementable material in this book, it will surely transform your writing and business alike.
What are you waiting? Go and buy and transform your writing for good forever.
Author(s): Ann Handley
Part 11 of 35 in the 📖 Everybody Writes book series.
Series Start | Everybody Writes - Day 10 | Everybody Writes - Day 12