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5 Great Non-Fiction Writing Techniques

5 Great Non-Fiction Writing Techniques

If you’ve got a stack of facts you’re offering to people, then it can be difficult to formulate a narrative that keeps the reader engaged. This is the constant challenge that comes in the world of non-fiction writing and publishing. Far too often, listing facts, knowledge, and wisdom comes across as stale and boring. It doesn’t have to be this way.

These non-fiction writing techniques will help you to hook your readers effectively. They will help you to craft a compelling narrative. Most importantly, it will help the readers remember the facts you’re offering them in your non-fiction book.

#1. Turn your facts into a compelling story.

Part of the human experience is to be attracted to a good story. In the past, these stories were one of the primary ways we kept track of our history. Today our stories become a way to relate to others who have had similar experiences or share similar opinions. Believe it or not, we all tell stories every day in some way. Even a Facebook status update is a story of some sort.

Your non-fiction book needs to tell a story because this is how we are engineered to remember things. You can turn facts into a compelling story by offering personal experiences, showing people examples of what you’re talking about, or offering a comparison process.

For example, you’re writing a book about the benefits of quitting a long-term smoking habit. If you share a quick story about someone who has seen their health improve after they stopped smoking, you turn facts into a story.

“Part of the human experience is to be attracted to a good story. #writing #writers #nonfiction” 

#2. Engage your readers immediately.

There is so much information being offered today, thanks to the internet, that it can be overwhelming to some readers. To counter this influx, people have started only to read the introduction of a piece of content or to skim the chapters or subheadings included. This means your non-fiction work needs to engage readers immediately to encourage them to invest in your information.

You can do this in several different ways. Some writers like to start by offering a joke. Others like to tell a personal story about why they wrote the piece in question. Sometimes asking the reader a personal question is enough to get them interested.

The bottom line is this: if you don’t engage the reader immediately, there’s a good chance you’re going to lose them.

#3. Be descriptive.

Humans are also visual creatures. We remember things better when we can absorb data through visuals, even if we picture those things in our imagination. This means the best non-fiction writing techniques involve emotional, descriptive terms that help readers begin to decode the complex facts which may be offered within the text.

Be as specific as possible. Use powerful words beyond mundane descriptions like “interesting” or “engaging.” If something is magical, superlative, or vibrant, you’ll invoke a powerful mental visual of your facts to help the reader better relate to the text.

#4. Leave the jargon out of it.

Every industry has certain terms and jargon that are regularly used. When writing non-fiction, you must avoid these terms at all costs. You cannot assume your reader is going to know what the “juxtaposition of strongly dissimilar elements” means if you’re writing about chemistry. Maybe the reader has never studied any form of science in their life. How can you ensure you still get your point across to the reader?

You do so by using simple, plain language whenever possible. You might not be able to take out every technical term possible, but you must make an effort as a writer to make the facts you’re discussing as understandable as possible.

There is an exception to this: if you’re writing a non-fiction book to a specific niche of people within one specific industry, then jargon and technicalities are appropriate. It would not be appropriate if you are targeting a general audience.

#5. Give them an unexpected twist.

We, humans, remember things that fit outside our sphere of expectations. This is why we are more inclined to leave negative reviews than positive ones for businesses. It is also why non-fiction texts are more difficult to remember than fiction. We have certain expectations for the facts that we’re learning about.

You can make your text stand out if you throw an unexpected twist. Offer a fact that isn’t expected. Ask questions that may not be anticipated. Follow up a key point with something that may seem contradictory and then reconcile the facts.

 

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