A top story can elicit a lot of emotion from readers. It may be a gripping narrative of a life-changing event or a heartwarming tale of the importance of family. It can also raise awareness for a cause or a business, or entice people to take action. Storytelling is becoming more popular across industries, and it can be a useful tool for leadership. But what are the best ways to find and craft stories that will engage your audience?
Start with an idea for a story that you’ve wanted to read. Then work out how to write it. For example, Toni Morrison wrote Jazz because she wanted to write a story that spontaneously rises and falls in energy and emotion like jazz music does. This approach to writing can help you come up with a structure for your story, too.
A good feature story has a fresh angle on an issue or a topic, combines fact with opinion and creatively uses language. It should be educational, entertaining or arouse emotions, and have depth of character and/or subject matter. It should not be too long or too short and have an effective conclusion that lingers in the reader’s mind.
A solid theme can add a whole new dimension to a story. Unlike a simple plot that simply involves engaging conflicts, a tale with an overarching philosophical argument tends to linger in the mind much longer. Moreover, it can change the way that the reader thinks or persuade him in important arguments.