7 Ways to Add Flavour to Non-Fiction Writing

Many of us consider ourselves primarily writers of fiction, yet we spend a significant amount of time blogging. Likewise, freelancers, journalists and copywriters focus on non-fiction avenues.

Although it’s tempting for us storytellers to think of it as less creative, there are many easy ways to add a little flavour to our non-fiction.

Here are 7 of them to get you started:

1. Start with a quotation

Quotations are used to make your reader stop and think about something on a profound level. You can use a relevant quotation to begin your piece with a punch, or use it as a springboard for the content of your article.

2. Create an analogy

Some of the best copy uses analogies to make a point. Someone writing copy for a car dealership might draw on similarities between a specific vehicle and a powerful animal. A cheetah, perhaps. Analogies work well because they make the reader think about something familiar to them.

3. Integrate a story or personal anecdote

If you’ve ever sat through a lecture on a rather mundane subject, you’ll know that speakers often start with a story or personal anecdote. Like analogies, anecdotes spark interest in others by drawing on the familiar, prompting us to apply new information to our own lives.

4. Tell a joke

Who can resist a joke? Whether you tell it in words or use a comic strip to do the dirty work, making us laugh right off the bat nearly guarantees you’ll capture our attention. Just remember, the joke has to be relevant to your subject, and should add — not detract — from your overall purpose.

5. Answer FAQs

For some reason, people love lists of FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions). Instead of writing about a topic in the same old manner, why not take a different spin on it by answering questions people would naturally have about it? The other beauty of this strategy is that it makes your article more user-friendly; readers can skip questions that don’t interest them, and focus on those that do.

6. Interview an authority

If you’re writing about something out of your area of expertise, find an authority on the subject and conduct an interview. The question-and-answer format appeals to readers on the same level that FAQs do, and people are always more drawn to information written by someone with a great deal of experience.

7. Use eye-catching photographs

Never underestimate the power of a good photograph, especially when writing a blog post. The purpose of using a graphic is to catch the reader’s eye–to capture attention so they’ll stick around to read your content. A good photograph also makes your content look more professional, which is desirable if you’re looking to establish yourself as an authority.

Next time you’re writing non-fiction, use one or more of these strategies to transform your piece from ordinary to awesome.

What are the best tips you have to offer on making non-fiction creative and engaging?

Photo Credits: B Rosen, Darwin Bell, Darwin Bell