In medias res is Latin for ‘in the midst of things’. This popular literary technique creates more arresting openings by starting with action and then gradually filling in the background as you move forward. Are you losing readers with a dull preamble? Consider starting in the middle.
Delete your first paragraph. Does the piece work better starting from paragraph two?
Paste a line. Rewrite it using In medias res.
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To ‘bury the lede’ is a classic journalistic sin that involves hiding the story’s salient details under multiple paragraphs of preamble.
For example, writing ‘we save your life’ is more informative and powerful than ‘lives are saved’.
First, you must get a reader’s attention, then capture their interest before arousing desire and, finally, encouraging action.
Run a ten-minute sprint with In medias res as your prompt. Free, with no sign-in: it stays on your device.
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