Punchlines for Writers
Oct 22, 2024We know a good punchline when we hear one.
The twist at the end of a story. Or the last line of a joke.
Punchlines matter in writing too. Your readers are waiting for it. It’s the hook that pulls them through your piece. It’s what keeps them reading.
Like in comedy, timing is everything. Hit the punchline too soon and you’ll lose momentum. Too late and you lose the impact. The art of writing lies in knowing exactly when to strike.
Unlike comedians, writers don’t get to see when our punchlines land. We write in solitude, edit and then send our words out into the world, hoping they’ll land just as intended. It’s an act of faith.
Without the punchline, you’re just taking your audience on a long, meandering path. A story with no destination.
And if your punchline doesn’t land, neither will your message.
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