In fiction writing and film-making, writers are encouraged to develop an intriguing premise for the story. People are far more likely to go and see a film or read a novel when the premise or idea behind the story is thought-provoking.

The same applies to impactful non-fiction writing too.

You want to do your best to deliver the message in a way that is unexpected and interesting.

Let’s take a look at some examples from films:

1. "Inception" (2010):

   • High Premise: A thief enters people's dreams to steal their secrets.
   • Why It's High Concept: The concept of navigating multiple layers of dreams within dreams to plant an idea in someone's mind is intellectually stimulating and visually captivating. It's a complex idea made accessible through stunning visuals and mind-bending storytelling.

2. "Birdman" (2014):

   • High Premise: A washed-up actor, known for playing a famous superhero, attempts a comeback on Broadway.
   • Why It's High Concept: The film blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, as the protagonist grapples with his own ego and the pressures of the entertainment industry. The continuous single-shot style adds to the immersive experience.

3. "Get Out" (2017):

   • High Premise: A young African American man visits his white girlfriend's family, only to discover disturbing secrets.
   • Why It's High Concept: "Get Out" explores racial tensions and social commentary through the lens of a suspenseful horror-thriller. It subverts expectations and tackles deep-seated issues while delivering an engaging and thought-provoking narrative.

   "The Martian" (2015):

   • High Premise: An astronaut, presumed dead and left behind on Mars by his crew, must use his ingenuity and limited resources to survive and signal to Earth that he is alive.
   • Why It's High Concept: "The Martian" combines elements of science fiction, survival, and problem-solving to create an engaging and thrilling story. It explores the resilience of the human spirit and the power of scientific knowledge in an extreme and isolating environment, making it both intellectually stimulating and emotionally compelling.

You want to find unique ways of delivering an idea in your non-fiction writing.

Your job is to stop people scrolling and have your readers want to re-share your post because it’s fresh, creative and fascinating. The writing does not meet expectations, which is a good thing.

I call this high-concept writing.

There are ways you can make your writing more high-concept, like: