The absolute most important part of every single piece of journalism, no matter the topic, issue, depth, word count, or people involved in the story, is how it gets introduced to a new reader. It doesn’t matter if the remaining 90% of your story has incredibly noteworthy quotes and data, if the first 10% (lede, nut graf, and transition paragraph) isn’t grabbing readers’ attention then it’s unlikely that a huge amount of people will take the time to read through the rest.
Unfortunately, that’s how digital consumption works and as a modern-day journalist you’ll have to keep the audience’s attention span in the back of your mind when writing and be thinking to yourself:
- How will a reader with no prior knowledge of this topic/issue react to this?
- Have I provided the reader with interesting information that will objectively interest them?
- Will they keep reading?
If you can reliably say yes to all three of those questions, you should have a high-quality story that can be of interest to a moderately sized group of people. Whether they’re a niche group of people or a sizeable group of people – the same rules apply at an adjusted scale.
Let’s go through some reliable tips for writing introductions.
Have a Reliable Routine
The site founder, Ryne Ryskoski, would use the same template whenever beginning to write his stories. He felt that this saved valuable time when instead of staring at a blank page, he could reliably have a routine in place to jumpstart the writing process.
So, once you’ve conducted all the research, interviews, and figured out an angle, it’s a good idea to have a pre-established process in place that’s personally tailored to you. This will serve to make sure you have everything needed for your draft, help hammer down the fundamentals of writing a story, and give you a starting point for a story which is always the hardest part. Once you get writing, things will fall into place if you’ve properly gathered information.
At a minimum, your template should include fields/spaces for the below items. Our previous blog post about the Inverted Pyramid concept touches on this as well.
- Name, date, publication, social media handle, etc.
- Title
- Location of Story
- Lede
- Nut Graf
- Transition
- Direct Quote
If you work for multiple different publications, they might have specific conventions to follow, rules, etc. But this will offer a good starting point with the essential things in place for you to rely on and come back to when starting to write.
Once you’ve written a few stories, you’ll better understand which parts of writing an introduction you’re best at and which parts need to be improved. You’ll also find ways to tweak your template to make your writing process faster and more efficient.
Storytelling Methods
When writing a quality, engaging introduction you’ll want to employ some kind of unique storytelling method that makes the reader think “Wow, this seems interesting.” Below are some examples of methods you can reliably have at your disposal when learning how to write your introductions.
Challenge Assumptions. Challenge conventional wisdom or pose a debatable statement to immediately engage the reader’s critical thinking skills.
- Ex: While exercise is widely recommended for overall health, a new research paper suggests it might not be the magic bullet for weight loss we once believed.
This example uses a surprising counterpoint to a commonly held belief, which prompts the reader to question their understanding and potentially learn a new perspective.
Employ Vivid Imagery. Transport the reader directly with a captivating description that evokes emotions and paints a clear picture.
- Ex: The scent of smoke hung heavy in the air, a stark contrast to the vibrant summer day just moments before. Flames licked at the city’s Town Hall, casting an orange glow on the panicked faces of onlookers.
This introduction throws the reader right into the middle of a fire scene and uses sensory details to create a sense of urgency and immersion.
Open with a Powerful Anecdote. A relatable anecdote personalizes your story and immediately connects with the reader on an emotional level. This personal touch can be particularly effective when dealing with complex or abstract topics.
- Ex: Sarah nervously clutched the worn photograph, its edges softened by years of being held close. It was a picture of her grandfather, a man who dedicated his life to environmental conservation, a passion she never fully understood until now.
This anecdote introduces the protagonist and hints at a larger story to be explored, one that might involve environmental issues and intergenerational connections.
Start with a Scene in Progress. Plunge the reader right into the action, creating a sense of suspense and leaving them wanting to know what happens next.
- Ex: The officer’s voice echoed through the narrow alleyway, his flashlight beam cutting through the dense fog. Adrenaline surged through Sarah’s veins as she pressed herself deeper into the shadows, praying not to be seen.
This introduction throws the reader into a tense situation and leaves them to piece together the context and want to find out what led to this moment.
Keep it Concise
While setting the stage and providing context are important, remember that the longer an introduction is, the less likely readers are to continue. Excessive exposition will make them click away before they even reach the heart of your story.
Here’s why prioritizing conciseness is essential for crafting powerful introductions in journalism:
- With countless articles vying for reader attention, a concise introduction acts as a hook and quickly conveys the essence of your story – enticing the reader to learn more.
- A concise introduction avoids meandering and unnecessary details. It gets straight to the point, establishing the 5 W’s (who, what, when, where, and why) of your story in a clear and focused manner.
- Your audience is busy, so a concise introduction demonstrates respect for their time by delivering the essential information efficiently.
- A punchy introduction sets the pace for your entire article. It creates a sense of urgency and compels the reader to continue reading to discover what unfolds next.
Strategies for Crafting Concise Introductions
- Focus on the Most Newsworthy Element
- Identify the most crucial aspect of your story and prioritize that information in your opening sentence.
- Active Voice and Strong Verbs
- Use active voice and strong verbs to create a sense of immediacy and draw readers into the narrative.
- Eliminate Redundancies
- You’ll have to cut unnecessary words and phrases. Every sentence should contribute to the overall objective of capturing attention and providing essential details.
- Optimize Sentence Structure
- Make sure to vary your sentence length and structure to add rhythm and avoid a monotonous tone. Aim for a balance between conciseness and clarity.
- Target Word Count
- While there’s no one-size-fits-all rule, strive for introductions that fall within the 30-50 word range. This is a general guideline, and the optimal length may vary depending on the complexity of your story. Talk to your editor if needed.
Keeping the length of your introductions in mind will allow you to craft ones that are both informative and engaging. Remember, a strong opening is like a well-thrown punch – it sets the tone for the entire fight and can leave a lasting impression on your reader.
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