This roundup of short stories contests for 2024 is for writers of all genres, stages, and ages with various categories.

So whether you’re an aspiring or experienced writer looking to showcase your talent and get recognized for your work, why not give one of these opportunities a try?

Short Stories Contest 2024: Fiction and Nonfiction  

L. Ron Hubbard Writer of the Future Contest 

The L. Ron Hubbard Writer of the Future Contest is a free, quarterly contest for emerging authors in the science fiction and fantasy genres. Entering the contest provides an opportunity for new writers to have their work evaluated by a panel of professional writers and to reach wider audiences with their voice.

Prize: $1,000, $750, $500 for quarterly contests plus one grand prize of $5,000. 

Deadline: The 1st quarter deadline is March 21 2024.

ServiceScape Short Story Award

The ServiceScape Short Story Award contest accepts unpublished short story submissions—up to 5,000 words—from all genres and themes. Open to authors of all nationalities, backgrounds and experience levels, the contest is a great opportunity for new writers to have their work viewed by ServiceScape readers. 

Prize: $1,000

Deadline: November 30, 2024

Prose.

With a similar look and feel to a writer’s version of Twitter, Prose. offers unique weekly writing challenges covering various themes and genres.

Check regularly for fun prompts to spark your creativity. There are paid and unpaid opportunities and chances to review the work of your fellow writers. 

Prize: Varying

Deadline: Varying

Black Voices in Children’s Literature Writing Contest

The Black Voices in Children’s Literature Writing Contest invites Black authors from across the Midwestern United States to submit their unpublished works to elevate, promote and celebrate African-American voices and representation in children’s literature. Hosted jointly by Strive Publishing and Free Spirit Publishing, each submission is considered for publishing. 

Prize: $250 – $1, 000 for top three entries

Deadline: July 24, 2023

PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers

PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers seeks to promote and support the careers of talented new fiction writers. This contest recognizes the 12 top debut short stories of up to 12, 000 words published that year in a literary magazine, journal or cultural website. Winning entries are selected by three experts in their field for a cash prize and publication in the PEN America annual anthology. 

Prize: $2,000

Deadline: Sign up via the website to receive notifications of when submissions will be accepted for 2024

Prestigious Prizes

PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction

Highly regarded, the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction is considered one of the most prestigious peer-juried writing contests in America. This prize recognizes the top published works of fiction by American authors in a given year. Annually, a celebration is held in honor of the distinguished top ten and top five finalists and the “first among equals” grand prize winner. 

Prize: $15, 000

Submission period: July 1-September 30, 2024

Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards

The Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards celebrates outstanding, recently published works of nonfiction, fiction and poetry, tackling topics of racism, diversity, and social justice. Prizes for this contest will be handed out at an award ceremony held in the fall during Book Week in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Prize: $10,000

Submission period: September 1-December 31, 2024

Marfield Prize (National Award for Arts Writing)

The annual Marfield Prize, also known as the National Award for Arts in Writing awards, a prize for excellence in nonfiction writing, presented by the Arts Club of Washington, for books about the performing, visual or literary arts. Books published in the United States in the previous year are eligible for submission.

Prize: $10, 000

Deadline: October 15, 2024 

Young Lions Fiction Awards

The Young Lions Fiction Awards is an annual competition hosted by the New York Public Library highlighting young authors under 35 of exceptional talent in novel and short story writing. Each year, judges select one winner from a group of five finalists chosen by a committee of Young Lions members. 

Prize: $10,000 

Submission period: The contest opens in 2024 for the 2025 season

Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence

The Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence is an annual contest recognizing up-in-coming African-American fiction writers. Submitted works are judged by Anthony Grooms, Edward P. Jones, Elizabeth Nunez, Francene Prose and Patricia Towers who have all made significant contributions to literature. 

Prize: $15,000

Deadline: 2024 – Final Dates TBD

Poetry  

Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poetry

African poets can submit their debut book-length collection of poetry to the Sillerman First Book Prize for African Poetry contest. Not-yet-published or self-published works of outstanding poetry written by authors born in Africa, whose parents are African or those who are nationals or residents of an African country are eligible for the annual contest. 

Prize: $1,000 and publication contract

Submission period: September 15-December 1, 2024

Luschei Prize for African Poetry 

The Luschei Prize for African Poetry, established in 2015 after name-sake Glenna Luschei, recognizes African poetry of 48 pages or less written by African authors, written in or translated into English. This one-of-a-kind annual contest is judged by a renowned African author and aims to promote and honor African poets and their outstanding work.  

Prize: $1,000 

Deadline: October 1, 2024

Evaristo Prize for African Poetry

Annually, a collection of 10 poems by an African poet is awarded the Evaristo Prize for African Poetry. Celebrating the rich and diverse peoples, places and stories of Africa, this contest looks to encourage a new generation of African poets to perfect their craft and recognize their accomplishments. 

Prize: $1,500 

Submission period: October 1-November 1, 2024

Academy of American Poets First Book Award

The Academy of American Poets First Book Award winning first-book manuscript is selected annually by a critically acclaimed poet and published by Graywolf Press.  Also known as the Graywolf Press Walt Whitman Award, this prestigious contest seeks to discover and promote exemplary contemporary American poetry. 

Prize: $5,000, publication contract and six-week residency in a 15th-century Italian castle

Submission period: July 1-September 1, 2024

Young Authors | Short Stories Contest & More

St. Martin’s Minotaur / Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition

Youth authors of unpublished debut thriller or crime novels up to 60,000 words may enter in St. Martin’s Minotaur / Mystery Writers of America First Crime Novel Competition. The contest aims to discover new crime and thriller authors under 18 of all nationalities, support their endeavors and bring their best works to center stage. 

Prize: Publishing contract with Minotaur Books and $10, 000 advance 

Deadline: December 17, 2024

Write the World: Creative Nonfiction Competition

Write the World organizes competitions for young writers aged 13-19. This year’s Creative Nonfiction Competition theme is transitions. Teen writers can share their experiences in this transitioning time in their life as a nonfiction personal narrative and gain valuable experience and feedback opportunities. 

Prize: Varying 

Deadline: July 18, 2024

Write the World: Flash Fiction Competition 

The Flash Fiction Competition by Write the World invites writers 13-19 to submit their pint-sized stories that pack a punch. For this contest, writers are challenged with the task of producing a concise, well-crafted story of only 99 words or less.  

Prize: Varying

Submission period: August 7-22, 2024

Be sure to carefully review each contest’s website for full information about rules, eligibility, and submission fees before applying. Good luck entering a short stories contest this year!

Want More Short Stories Contest and Other Writing Contests?

• 40 Free Writing Contests: Competitions With Cash Prizes
• Should You Enter Writing Contests? This Author Says Yes

Remember being wrapped up in your blanket, the lights down low, eyes heavy, and a parent or guardian reading a soothing bedtime story as you drift off into a peaceful sleep? Luckily, you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy a good bedtime story! More and more adults are reclaiming bedtime stories and enjoying the nostalgia, relaxation and much needed break from the hustle and bustle of adulthood. 

Join us as we tap back into our inner children and explore the world of bedtime stories for adults.

What are Bedtime Stories for Adults? 

What exactly do we mean when we say “bedtime stories for adults”?

Bedtime stories for adults can come in many forms. There are stories specifically designed to help the adult mind fall asleep, but this could also be any story that helps you relax and drift off into dreamland. 

Imagine: It’s been a long, hard day, week, month or even year and you are absolutely exhausted and yet you still can’t fall asleep.

Not so hard to imagine? What if you laid down to rest and could escape into a different world, even just for a few minutes, and forget about all your deadlines, responsibilities and stressors and fall into a deep restful sleep with ease? 

This is where bedtime stories for adults come into play. 

Why Do Adults Need and Want Bedtime Stories? 

Modern adult life for many people is one big ball of stress. If you’re anything like me, when does this stress like to make an appearance? (say it louder for the people in the back!)

At bedtime! 

Just me? (He’s probably in the hospital donating a kidney or saving baby penguins in the Antarctic and doesn’t have cell reception. That must be it.)

All of this is to say that adults need and want bedtime stories because sometimes we have a lot going on and can’t always turn off our brains.

Bedtime stories can help distract our brains by focusing on something else, allowing us to fall asleep much faster. 

Having a non-chemical sleep aid like adult bedtime stories can be a powerful tool for those with sleep problems, or anyone who just wants to create a soothing sleep environment. 

The Power of Bedtime Stories 

There are many different reasons why we may have a hard time falling asleep at times. Often, a racing mind is the culprit and bedtime stories have a special power of being able to switch our thinking brain off, help us unwind, and make it easier to fall asleep. 

The power of stories, particularly auditory versions, is backed up by science. As you fall asleep, your senses power down one by one and the sense of hearing is the last one to turn off. Listening to an adult bedtime story can help your body be able to shut down the other senses more quickly and get you off to sleep faster. 

Another reason why bedtime stories can work so well is that they can help avoid the sleep paradox.

You have likely experienced that once you start thinking about it and noticing that you can’t do it, it becomes nearly impossible to sleep. That is the sleep paradox. This is where reading or listening to a bedtime story can take the attention away from thinking about sleep (or lack thereof), replace it with something else to focus on, quiet the mind and help you fall asleep. 

Different Types of Bedtime Stories 

Let’s look at some examples of books, audiobooks and podcasts that you can try the next time you find yourself on the midnight sleepy time struggle bus. 

Books 

Books are the OG of bedtime stories (at least in my lifetime). Books! Reading before bed is a great habit to build into your night time routine for a number of reasons. 

• Having a regular bedtime routine helps prompt your brain into knowing that it is time to wind down and get ready to sleep
• Reading a book keeps you off your phone before bed
• It gets your mind focused on something other than your thoughts before your head even hits the pillow

Examples: 

• Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker: If you are into non-fiction, this book discusses the science of sleep, why it is so important for our overall health and provides tips for good sleep hygiene.
• Something light and fluffy: If non-fiction and science before bed is not your thing, grab something that is easy to read like a romance or general fiction book. Something that can help you unwind without grabbing your attention so much that you stay up reading all night
• Something boring: Ever fallen asleep reading a textbook for school? Picking up a book you find boring can help put you to sleep quickly.

Audiobooks 

Audiobooks are a fantastic way to incorporate bedtime stories for adults into your life whether it is nightly or just on those particularly difficult nights. Being able to lay there with your eyes closed and the lights off while listening to a story helps your mind enter the world of the book and you can fall right to sleep without having to put the book down. 

Any book will do, but something nostalgic can be particularly helpful because you are already familiar with the story so your brain can relax that much more. 

Examples:

• Harry Potter series by JK Rowling: So many people know and love the Harry Potter series, making it a popular choice for an audiobook reread. These stories often bring back good memories and the familiarity of the story and the movies means our brains don’t have to work too hard to transport us into that world
• Bedtime Stories for Stressed Out Adults by Lucy Mangan: How fitting? This book incorporates a mix of calming stories, poems and classic favorites specifically designed to help you fall asleep faster

Note:  worked too well; I fell asleep immediately but I lost one of my airpods 🙁 good news I found it!

Podcasts

Podcasts work in a very similar way to audiobooks. You can drift off to sleep to whatever you find relaxing. There is a podcast for everyone about literally any subject you can imagine. As long as it helps you go to sleep, any one will do. However, there are podcasts specifically designed for sleep that you may want to try. 

Examples: 

• Sleepy: In this weekly podcast, host Otis Gray reads classic tales in a low, soothing voice to help you turn off your brain and get to bed
• Nothing Much Happens: In this podcast, host Kathryn Nicolai shares stories where, just as the title suggests, nothing much happens so your mind can focus on resting

With all of life’s stressors, bedtime does not have to be yet another one. Getting plenty of good quality sleep every night is one of the best things you can do for your health. For a lot of people, that is easier said than done and we may need a bit of help sometimes. Try incorporating bedtime stories for adults into your nightly routine and wake up more refreshed and rejuvenated.

Sleep tight.

Blackout poetry is for everyone, whether you see yourself as a creative person or you don’t think you have an artistic bone in your body. This unique artform blends literary and visual elements into a cohesive piece that can take infinite forms. 

You’ve likely come across examples of blackout poetry in school or on social media. This form of expression is a popular choice for teachers and recently has become popular on platforms such as Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. 

Blackout Poetry 101: An Introduction

Based on its title, you may have guessed that blackout poetry, also called erasure poetry or redacted poetry, consists of blacking out sections of text to create a poem from the original text. It’s the art of taking an existing piece of literature and turning it into something completely new. What emerges from the carefully-selected words is new meaning and interpretation not only from the words that remain, but also from those now obscured and the visual it creates. 

A Brief History of Blackout Poetry 

Blackout poetry’s roots trace back as far as the days of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin’s neighbor Caleb Whiteford was known to make redactions on serious stories in the newspaper to create jokes for his friends. While this was not taken seriously at the time, it paved the way for others to practice and build upon this idea of creating new narratives from existing texts. 

The artform didn’t really take off until 100 years later in the early 20th century. Then, it picked up traction with the avant-garde Dada and Surrealist movements. At a time where artists were eager to break free of traditional artistic norms, blackout poetry created a platform for non-traditional art and expression. 

Notable figures, including Robert Rauschenberg in the 1950s and Tom Phillips in the 1960s, kept the ball rolling and pushed the artform of blackout poetry to evolve over the decades. Catapulting this form of poetry to the mainstream media can be attributed to the instant New York Times Bestselling Newspaper Blackout published by Austin Kleon in 2010. 

The Internet and social media have helped blackout poetry increase in popularity as both recreational and serious creators are increasingly able to share their redacted masterpieces with wider audiences. 

How to Create Blackout Poetry

This artform can be as simple or complex as you want it to be. The form most of us are familiar with consists of a page of text redacted with thick black marker leaving a careful selection of words behind to create a poem. At its core, it’s simple enough so anyone can partake in this form of expression—but the door is wide open for artistic liberties. 

Here are 3 Steps to Make Your Own Erasure Poetry

1. Select your text 

The original text for blackout poetry can take any form—newspaper, novel, book of poems, essay, textbook or anything in between. There are many angles you can take and connections to be made from the text you choose for your blackout poem. 

You may choose to select a text that relates to the topic of your poem. Or a piece that actively opposes your views so you can rewrite the story. Perhaps picking a random book off the shelf and seeing what jumps off the page is what sparks your creativity. 

2. Choose your words carefully

The next and most crucial step is to select the words to carry your message. As you read through your source text, identify phrases and words that resonate with you and work together to piece together a new narrative. Put a box around the words and phrases that you are going to keep and cross out the rest. 

3. Design the visual elements

Now that you have picked out the words to tell your story and can see where they land on the page it’s time to move from the literary into the visual realm to add the next layer of your composition. It’s about the words, but also how they interact visually on the page. 

You may even choose to breathe new life into blackout poetry by skipping the black part of blackout. Many are infusing more creative flare into their work experimenting with different colors, mediums and visuals. These days you can find many examples of blackout poetry that incorporate line art and watercolor paint that push the envelope of design. 

Why People Like Blackout Poetry 

There are many reasons why people enjoy creating blackout poetry and why it has become increasingly popular over the years. One big draw is that this form of artistic expression is so accessible.

Intimidated by a blank page? Not a problem. Can’t draw? You don’t need to. Not good at coming up with words? The words are already there.

The process of creating blackout poetry makes it possible for people who may not have created art or poetry before to try their hand at it. Those who were already active in the creative space also love blackout poetry for its unique form of expression and limitless possibilities to blend art and wordplay. 

The practice can bring participants therapeutic benefits from being able to rewrite their own narrative and embrace creativity. Many people find blackout poetry relaxing in ways similar to a coloring book or completing a puzzle. 

Different people get varying benefits out of creative practices, and blackout poetry is no exception. Some may enjoy it because it fuels their love of reading and helps them build a strong vocabulary. Others may like it because it challenges them to creatively problem solve. While others gravitate toward blackout poetry as an outlet for stress relief or self expression. 

Whatever the reason, you can’t really go wrong practicing a creative exercise you enjoy. 

Blackout Poetry in the Digital Age

Some view social media like TikTok as major time-sucks, while others recognize it as a host of infinite amounts of shared knowledge. One thing about TikTok in particular is that it exposes you to so many new things you would otherwise never have learned about before. 

If you have ever come across blackout poetry on TikTok, I can almost guarantee that you did not seek it out on your own. Your faithful FYP (for you page) gods delivered to land you on #blackoutpoetrytok.

One of the great things about social media and the Internet is that anyone can now share their work to inspire others just as anyone can view the work of others and become inspired. 

The digital age has changed both how we access and create visual poetry. Creators can now experiment with digital tools to produce reimagined blackout poems with new depth, intricacy, and vibrancy. Simple digital tools such as Word and Google Docs or more complex tools like Procreate and Photoshop are bringing new innovation into practices such as blackout poetry. 

This art form opens up new possibilities for creativity, art, and expression that anyone can take part in. People young or old, artistic or not creative are finding benefits and new meaning from this practice.

Give it a try. I think you’ll see that those who dare to look will find that there are hidden treasures buried in everyday life. 

Those who dare to look will find that there are hidden treasures buried in everyday life.

If you’re wondering how to write a student memoir (and how it’s different than a regular memoir), then you’re in the right place.

No matter what stage you’re at in your educational journey, writing a student memoir can be a therapeutic experience for you and eye-opening for your readers. Documenting your experiences, emotions, and growth is also an excellent practice so even if your draft never leaves your hard drive, it will still be a worthy exercise. 

What is a Student Memoir Anyway?

A student memoir is much like any other memoir. A memoir is a narrative told from the perspective of the author and focuses on a pivotal moment or time in their life.

Therefore, a student memoir is written by a student and recounts a pivotal moment or time in their academic career. 

A memoir differs from biographies and autobiographies in a few key ways.

• A biography is written about a person from an outside perspective
• An autobiography is more similar, where it is written by or from the perspective of the subject/author. However it spans their entire life rather than the narrow focus of a memoir

Readers for student memoirs are usually other students, or people who have been through school. They studied in different contexts for varying lengths of time and have at least some understanding of the experiences of being a student. 

How to Write a Student Memoir

Similar to journal writing, a memoir is successful if readers feel like they’re experiencing life with you. Here are six simple guidelines to follow that will help you figure out how to write a student memoir that’s memorable and captivating. 

1. Find Your Topic

Consider your time as a student. Was there a moment or time that stands out to you? A pivotal moment where something happened or a decision was made and changed everything for better or for worse? Did this happen a long time ago or are you going through it right now? Considering examples of successful memoirs can help inspire you at this stage.

When selecting the focus of your student memoir, consider the relationships, obstacles, triumphs and other factors that are relevant to the event or time period. Think about the central themes, transformations, and lessons that came out of that time of your life. 

2. Give it Structure

Once you have a topic, it is time to determine how you are going to organize your thoughts to get your story and message across. Consider the arc of your story—how you get from point A to point B and how best to guide your audience on this journey. 

Chronological, past versus present, thematic and internal conflict are all common memoir structures. By outlining key events and turning points, you can determine which structure is best suited to effectively tell your story, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. 

3. Develop Your Voice

What makes memoirs so compelling, often, is the author’s voice that shines through. An epic story with twists and turns is one thing, but it is how you tell that story that sets it apart. When a story has a strong, authentic voice the reader feels like they are right there with you or are being told it by a trusted friend.

Experiment with different tones and writing styles until you find one that comes naturally and helps you get your stream of consciousness from the eyes and mind that experienced it onto the page. Stories written with exceptional tone and voice have the power to connect with readers on a personal level. If it comes naturally, infusing humor, wit, and emotion can help bring out your personality and voice. 

4. Write Authentically

One element that often goes hand in hand with voice is authenticity. When you are telling an authentic story, your voice will often come naturally. What is the point in writing a memoir if it’s not genuine? Then it just becomes a work of fiction. Get ready to be raw, honest and vulnerable as you lay it all out on the pages. 

Even if it’s difficult, it is essential that you are being real with your readers and sharing your honest thoughts and feelings from when you were a student. When writing any type of memoir it is important to accurately recount events to the best of your ability and avoid turning yourself into a hero or victim if that is not what happened. Maybe you’re the villain, and that’s OK! Remember, your readers are interested in the true story, you don’t need to make it up. Just be authentically you.

5. Reflect and Revise

Reflection is a very important component of writing, particularly with memoirs. You should be reflecting before, during and after the writing process. At the end of your writing journey, take the time to properly reflect on your work and make revisions to improve elements such as the flow, tone, accuracy and consistency of your student memoir. 

We often have a much harder time critiquing and finding flaws in our own work. That is where a fresh pair of eyes come in handy. If you don’t have an editor, seek feedback from a trusted friend, classmate or family member who can point out how you can improve your memoir to produce an even more compelling narrative. 

6. Share Your Finished Piece

You did it! You are finally ready to send a piece of you out into the world. Depending on what your goal for your student memoir is, you have many different options for how to share it. A few options to consider are publishing it on a personal blog or website, submitting it to a writing contest, a literary magazine or self-publishing. 

However you choose to tell your story, embrace the sense of accomplishment from finishing your own student memoir and sharing the events, genuine thoughts and feelings from a pivotal time in your academic career that led you to where you are today. 

Student memoirs speak to the inner child in all of us and have the unique power of bringing audiences back in time to their own school days while stepping into the author’s shoes. Celebrating the complexity of student life with all its highs and lows, a student memoir makes for an engaging story when told by the authentic voice of a vulnerable author.

The Write Life has teamed up with Self-Publishing School to create a training called, Writing and Publishing Your Life Story. In it, you’ll learn the three core elements of memorable memoirs. Click here to sign up for this free workshop.

Have you ever wondered how to write a think piece? Sometimes, a writer’s role is to report and present information in an unbiased manner. And sometimes your job is to write a think piece.

Writing a compelling think piece is meant to make the audience, well, think!

Exploring complex issues and taking a stance on one side of the fence takes guts, but can reward you with highly insightful counter arguments and analyses from all sides if you can engage your writers enough to start a discussion. 

Use your soapbox think piece to challenge beliefs and norms and share your opinion on a passionate topic.

Whether your topic is social, cultural, political or personal, take this opportunity to shake up the status quo by infusing your unique voice, compelling argument and fresh perspective into the discussion. 

How to Write a Think Piece 

Similar to opinion writing, a think piece is an article that doesn’t only share facts, but focuses on personal opinions. The goal of a think piece is to spark a discussion on both sides of the topic. Your work should compel readers to critically think about your points and share their own thoughts and counterarguments. 

Here’s how to write a think piece.

Do Your Research 

No matter what you are writing, doing thorough research is key. Even if you already feel like an expert on your topic, it is still important to do more research to be up-to-date with all of the latest information. Being able to present research and sources to back up your opinions also gives your argument more credibility. 

Start your research by looking for reliable sources that have already published articles on the topic.

When crafting the argument for your op-ed, read through multiple articles and be sure to take the time to reflect and ask questions about what you’re reading. Will this strengthen my argument? Does this oppose or support my perspective? Is this information accurate or helpful? 

When going through the steps for how to write a think piece, prioritize research. This process will help you become more familiar with your topic and also help you anticipate counterarguments.

Don’t be afraid of sources that do not align with the argument of your think piece. Remember, you are sharing your opinion, supported by your research, but not everyone will share your perspective on complex issues. If we all shared the same ideas and opinions, how could we practice critical thinking and engage in powerful discussions and debates? 

Good research will help you feel more confident during the writing process with your well-thought out and supported ideas, and it also enhances the quality and credibility of your think piece. 

Set a Structure 

Even the strongest argument can get lost in translation if the think piece does not have a strong and solid structure to carry the message. 

Just like structuring any article, there are many routes you can go but not all of them will help you create a smooth-sounding cohesive narrative that makes readers stop and think. Without proper structure, your ideas can get easily missed, mixed up and forgotten in a jumbled mess leading to nowhere. 

Start by outlining the purpose of your think piece and the main points or arguments you want to get across.

How do these ideas fit together? What is the logical order to arrange them in?

These are important questions to consider and there often is not one correct way to organize your ideas. However you are best able to organize your own thinking and effectively guide your readers through your think piece should determine the order. 

Even though a think piece does not use the most formal writing style, that does not mean it should not have a structural framework. Use headings and subheadings to act as signposts and visual breaks to help readers navigate the piece. Catchy or witty headings and subheadings help grab the reader’s attention and let them know what to expect. 

How to Write a Think Piece: Engage the Reader 

If you’re wondering how to write a think piece, keep this in mind: it is essential to capture your reader’s attention right off the bat and to maintain it throughout.

One of the best ways to keep readers engaged is by using storytelling. We are naturally drawn to good storytellers who can hold our interest from start to finish with emotion and charisma. Using storytelling techniques such as including personal stories, anecdotes and imagery can help make your work more engaging, relatable and memorable for readers. 

A good way to get readers to relate to and connect with your ideas is by using real-world examples.

Presenting your thoughts abstractly can leave some readers in the dark, not able to make connections and ultimately missing the main idea and appeal you were trying to get across. When readers can relate to concrete examples, it helps them see how your ideas relate to their own lives, making your think piece more relevant and engaging. 

Remember that a think piece is also supposed to spark reflection and conversation among your audience. Encourage active engagement and critical thinking by posing thought provoking questions that challenge conventional beliefs. Be open to hearing varying opinions from readers and use these differing perspectives to springboard into new realms of thought and questioning. 

Present a Balanced Argument

It may seem counterintuitive, but it is important to acknowledge the opposing side of your argument. 

If you’re wondering how to write a think piece, think of it like this: don’t get wrapped up in only sharing one point of view (yours). Look at other sides to the story as well.

Being able to speak to counterarguments shows intellectual honesty and actually strengthens your own argument by showing openness and credibility. 

Going back to the research stage of the writing process, you will have found other articles and think pieces directly in opposition to your own ideas. Don’t shy away and try to hide these! Reviewing these arguments helps you paint a more well rounded image of the issue in your own mind and allows you to illustrate that in your writing. 

When you share differing viewpoints, remember to do it fairly and respectfully. While you don’t have to go into as much detail as you would for your own viewpoint, be sure to give a clear, accurate representation of both sides of the coin. This shows your readers that you are open minded by taking the time to consider all of the angles and are open to discussion from multiple perspectives. 

Embrace the power of your voice! With some research, organization and open mindedness, you can take your passion and turn it into a well-crafted, thought-provoking think piece that will hook readers and prompt them to reflect on their own beliefs. 

A willingness to share personal anecdotes, be a little vulnerable and show some humility can go a long way to connecting with readers and encouraging them to share their own opinions on the topic to stoke an enriching discussion. 

Let us know if this helps you better understand how to write a think piece!