Crafting Engaging Sentences: Insights from Science and Iconic Examples
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Chapter 1: The Essence of Storytelling
For as long as I can remember, I've been drawn to the art of storytelling. Whether recounting childhood tales, embarking on grand adventures, or penning non-fiction articles like this one, storytelling has always felt integral to my existence.
As I delve deeper into this subject, I realize I'm not the only one. In fact, all humans interpret information similarly — through narratives. Here’s how you can elevate your writing by embracing core storytelling principles, as illuminated by science. Additionally, I’ll share ten iconic examples to inspire your next viral piece.
Life is unpredictable, with two certainties: death and change. Despite our efforts to resist them, these two forces shape our reality. Our desire to prolong life leads us to exert control over the constantly shifting world around us.
This fascination with change is fundamental to our existence. Neuroscientist Sophie Scott states, “Almost all perception is based on the detection of change.” We are finely tuned to recognize change because our ability to adapt gives us a sense of control over our fates.
As Will Storr conveys in "The Science of Storytelling," “Unexpected change serves as a gateway through which danger can strike.” We often perceive change as a threat, as it can be closely linked to danger. In earlier times, entering a dark cave could mean facing peril from predators; similarly, today’s shifts—like fluctuating cryptocurrency prices or the advent of AI—evoke comparable emotional responses, even if they don’t pose immediate danger.
Emotionally. Viscerally.
Our most effective defense against the inevitable changes and the looming specter of death is curiosity. This is why many of the greatest narratives spark readers' interest through unexpected changes.
10 Iconic Examples of Transformative Moments
“Once the little toy dinosaur slipped from my waistband, reality hit me… I wasn’t going home just yet.”
Such memories linger because they capture pivotal moments of change. Whether propelled by the need to avoid pain, strive for pleasure, or shift perspectives, memories resonate when they represent transformation.
The aforementioned memory is drawn from my own life—an instance where I first grappled with the discomfort of being caught in a lie, leading to accountability and the consequences that followed.
These memories serve to protect us—much like recalling the vivid scratch marks on a tree before encountering a wild animal. Stories are our brains’ most efficient method of organizing the myriad sensory details of our daily lives.
Every action, misstep, decision, and regret is methodically arranged into a narrative of cause and effect:
___(1)___ occurred because ___(2)___, and the outcome was ___(3)___.
This narrative framework underpins all storytelling, consisting of a beginning, middle, and end, which has evolved into the classic three-part structure:
- Crisis
- Struggle
- Resolution
No story is complete without these three elements, and our brains are wired to fill in any gaps. A compelling way to engage readers is to introduce the prospect of change early in your narrative.
Here are ten opening lines from some of the most memorable stories ever penned:
“Where’s Spot?” (by Eric Hill)
“That Spot, he hasn’t eaten his supper. Where can he be?”
“Charlotte’s Web” (by E.B. White)
“Where’s Papa going with that axe?”
“The Hunger Games” (by Suzanne Collins)
“When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold.”
“Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” (by J.K. Rowling)
“Mr. and Mrs. Dursley of no.4 Privet Drive were proud to say they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.”
“Emma” (by Jane Austen)
“Emma Woodhouse: handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and a happy disposition seemed to unite some of the best blessings in existence. And had lived nearly 21 years in the world, with very little to distress or vex her.”
“Intimacy” (by Hanif Kureishi)
“It is the saddest night for I am leaving and not coming back.”
“The Secret History” (by Donna Tartt)
“The snow in the mountains was melting, and Bunny had been dead for several weeks before we came to understand the gravity of our situation.”
“The Outsider” (by Albert Camus)
“Mother died today. Or yesterday. I don’t know.”
“The Corrections” (by Jonathan Franzen)
“The madness of an autumn prairie cold front coming through. You could feel it. Something terrible was going to happen.”
“Anna Karenina” (by Leo Tolstoy)
“All happy families are alike. Each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”
All these examples are drawn from "The Science of Storytelling" by Will Storr—a brilliant exploration of the human psyche and its affinity for storytelling. In fact, 99.78% of the insights in this article are sourced from it.
In addition to skillfully hinting at change, these examples showcase several fundamental qualities of exceptional storytelling:
- Show, don’t tell: Avoid dictating emotions; instead, create scenarios that evoke feelings.
- Subtext matters: What remains unsaid often holds more weight than explicit statements.
- The completion instinct: Readers crave closure; they need a beginning, middle, and end to feel fulfilled.
How to Apply This Knowledge to Enhance Your Writing
While it’s impossible to encapsulate the complexities of storytelling in a single article, here are three practical tips to help you craft engaging openings for your narratives:
Cause and Effect:
Humans have an intrinsic desire to comprehend “why.” Even as adults, we yearn for not just answers but the rationale behind them. The more information you provide, the greater the urge to seek answers. Will Storr notes, “The place of maximum curiosity, the zone in which storytellers play, is when people think they have some idea but aren’t quite sure.”
Titles that imply cause and effect tend to perform well across various content platforms: “I Tried ______. Here’s What Happened.”
Introduce (or hint at) change early:
Curiosity peaks when readers suspect a change is imminent. Will Storr describes curiosity as shaped like a lowercase "n," weakest when readers are entirely convinced they know the answer. To maintain interest, it’s crucial to tease change while keeping it relatable. Words like “instead” and “but” are powerful in headlines and introductions, e.g., “Stop Doing ____. Do ____ Instead.”
Embrace the Three-Step Archetype:
Our brains thrive on stories, especially those featuring diverse characters and settings. To engage readers, introduce a character—ideally, the reader themselves. Then, adhere to the classic story structure:
- Crisis
- Struggle
- Resolution
For real-world examples, refer to the ten provided above.
Final Thoughts: Change is Universal—Embrace It.
Though writing is an intensely personal endeavor, the three storytelling fundamentals outlined here are present in nearly every great narrative ever crafted.
To refine your writing, consider these principles as a checklist:
- Leverage cause and effect
- Tap into our love for stories
- Introduce (or hint at) change
And most importantly, enjoy the process. Passion resonates with readers from the very first sentence.
Hi, I’m Hudson. I write about living healthier, happier, and more mindfully... and sometimes about writing. If you’d like to receive stories directly in your inbox, consider subscribing to my newsletter.
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Chapter 2: Enhancing Your Writing with Video Insights
In this video, "Using the Science of Reading to Develop Sentence Processing Skills," discover how understanding reading science can significantly improve your writing abilities.
The video "Crafting Compelling Sentences: 3 Exercises to Improve Your Writing" offers practical exercises to enhance your sentence construction skills.