We’ve talked about the importance and the pros of interactive writing. Now, the question is - how do you make a piece of writing interactive? What are the elements that need to be added or the things you need to consider before writing an interactive article? Here are some essential pointers that will answer these questions.
Setting the tone
There are many tones one could pick from when it comes to writing. The following are some among many examples:
Informative
Mildly formal
Informal
Comical
Optimistic
Friendly
Assertive
Encouraging
Quirky
Picking the tone of writing is crucial, but, how do you set the tone of writing? There are many subtle ways you can create and tweak the tone of voice through writing.
For example, if you want your writing to be comical, you can add puns or interactive jokes. If you want it to be informal, you could write to your readers as though you were talking to them in person. If you want it to be serious and informative, yet mildly informal, you could see how you could blend those two different tones into one piece to be both!
You will find that being thoughtful and strategic about your tone of voice goes a long way.
Elements of Engagement
Think about how you would add elements of engagement. You could ask your readers questions. Here are some examples of questions that help enhance engagement-
“Haven’t we all been through writer’s block?”
“Do you face this issue as well?”
“Have you been looking for the perfect _____?”
“Wouldn’t it be nice to have a product that helps make this process easier?”
Drawing on personal experiences (if necessary)
Building on personal experiences adds an element of vulnerability from the writer’s side as you are sharing a piece of information about yourself and your story. What vulnerability means here is genuineness and humanness, enabling readers to let their guard down. It is often the foundation for genuine connection. Therefore, drawing on personal experiences could help you connect with your readers!
Choice of words - writing conversationally
Words are impactful tools that have proven to make a difference. Using the word ‘you’ helps you address your readers directly and using the word ‘us’ brings in a sense of inclusivity. Make sure to choose your words based on the effect they will have on the reader, in a manner that will align with your intentions and what you are trying to communicate. Words also affect how happy or satisfied we are with a piece of writing.
Do you know what it is like to be able to convey exactly how you are feeling about something to someone?
The ability to express ourselves accurately with words is an often underrated gift that writers share. Being able to translate our mental processes effectively contributes to how we end up feeling about any piece of writing. This helps us pick and choose the right words and assess our work.
Highlighting the human behind a product or service
If your article is about a product or a service, make sure to circle the conversation back to the ideas behind the product or service. The thought that went into it, the story behind it, and mostly the human-ness of it all is a huge selling point of the product or service and enables a reader to form an emotional or personal connection to it. Emotion is the essence of most human interaction and one ought not to shy away from using it in writing as well.
In conclusion
There are many tweaks and tricks that enhance the elements of interactiveness when it comes to writing. There is always room for re-revisiting, re-reading, and re-editing. It may not get easier with practice, but it does get more versatile and well-defined. When it comes to writing, much like any other ability, there is always room for improvement and improvisation! P.S., click here to know the power and persuasiveness of copywriting.
