Writing captivating non-fiction articles is an art that combines the power of storytelling with the precision of concise information delivery.
This guide explores using a three-part story structure – the Hook, Build, and Payoff.
Stories speak very directly to the human psyche. As Lisa Cron said in her great book, we are wired for story. When writing is delivered in a story format, we take notice, and the piece is more memorable.
Good stories follow this three-part sequence. It starts with a hook which grabs attention and sets the scene. Then the story builds, through tension or sharing more information and context. Finally, we are rewarded with a payoff that answers the central question and provides a satisfying closure.
This structure is used in many forms of writing, from telling jokes, to major movie scripts, and everything in between, including non-fiction.
Think of your article as a story with a beginning, middle, and end. Each act corresponds to one part, like acts in a play:
You would use this layout even in a thread or listicle. For a thread, you’d set the context with a hook or title, then you’d share the points in the build, with a final takeaway or conclusion in the payoff. Simples.
Let’s look into each piece more closely.
When writing your post, you want to bear these in mind and ensure the writing follows the three-part sequence:
The hook is the doorway to your article, inviting readers to step inside. It's your chance to capture their attention immediately. The hook sets the stage and creates intrigue.
You can see the hook as an article title or email subject line, for example. But the hook can also be the opening lines of a piece of writing, including those that don’t have titles (like a three-line tweet).