1. Now that you've caught your topic, let's focus on snagging your reader by telling a story that will appeal to their sense of pathos.
- Make a list of 5-10 stories or anecdotes that could pull your reader in that have an emotional pull. These could be experiences you've had in the past, stories you've heard, or even hypothetical scenarios you believe exist but haven't seen. If you're having a hard time coming up with stories, it might be a sign that you need to find out more about your topic or pick a new one you're more interested in.
- For example, say my focusing question is How is racism affecting people in Missoula, Mt? I might make the following list of potential stories:
- Zip hiding money in conditioner
- Getting followed around Albertsons with S
- Arapaho class
- Treatment of professor by MFA student
- Payscales in the University
- White supremacy in population
- Free write on speaker about language
- Star your top 4-5 ideas. Now write a sentence for each trying to hook us. Be vivid. Use images and really try and bring your reader along with you through the story.
- Once you've tried out several starts, go back through and pick the one you feel most interested in. Write a paragraph from a narrative perspective. Be sure to be vivid, to use specific details. Try to start right in on the action, don't worry about set up.
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