How to Write a Lead: 9 Ways to Nail Your Opening

The lead, also spelled lede, can make or break your article. Here’s what to know.

Inverted Pyramid: The Delicious News Writing Format That Produces Clear Stories, Every Time

The legendary article format, established in 1845, helps you write content quickly and well.

How to Write Headlines That Align with Your Goals: 5 Details to Consider

The headline is the front door to your article or email. Here are some factors to take into consideration when writing your own.

How to Write an Editorial, in 6 Steps

An editorial is an opinion-driven piece that brings awareness to current events or topics of importance. Here’s what to include.

How to Cite Sources in Articles (And 3 Tips for Doing So Quickly)

Outside sources corroborate your writing and help with SEO, but they can be tricky to track down. Find the science faster with these 3 tips.

What Is Content Marketing? 6 Questions to Help Define Your Strategy

Professional marketers gush about how great content is. But what does content marketing mean, really? This post gives an overview.

News Lead Examples: How to Nail Your Opening Line

A news headline has to capture attention. Here are some of the most popular formats used by publications to get clicks.

The Anecdotal Lead: How to Captivate Readers with Quick, Short Stories

An anecdotal lead can make readers more invested in your story from the beginning. These examples will get you started.

Summary Lead Examples: How to Nail the Opening of a News Story

A summary lead communicates essential information to readers succinctly. Here are some format examples to get you inspired.

How to Write a Blog Post in 2025, Step by Step

Blogs have a lot of flexibility, and can help attract new readers to your website. Here's how to write one quickly and well.

12 Writing Styles to Know as You Cultivate Your Craft

“Writing” is a really broad term. Here are 12 popular styles within the world of writing to help you figure out what will best serve you.

Figurative Language: How to Spice Up Your Writing

Figurative language can both punch up your writing and help you explain things more clearly. Here are some examples in action.

Here's a Big, Fat List of 91 Literary Devices That Charm Readers

You already encounter literary devices day in and day out. Here are clear definitions so you can leverage devices and improve your writing.

My Editorial Disclosures

What to expect from this blog, my company and my writing.

Editorial Calendar Tips: 5 Components to Consider

An editorial calendar can help you take your content marketing game to the next level. Here’s what to include when setting yours up.

The Informative Essay: How to Educate Your Readers (Without Being Snarky or Sleazy)

Informative essays are first taught to us as teenagers, but they have a lot of crossover with content writing best practices.

Written Content Tips: 8 Pointers to Punch Up Your Prose, With or Without AI

Want to improve your online publishing game? Here’s a roundup of tips and tricks that are relevant in the age of AI.

What Is a Subheading? (And Why Should I Care?)

Subheadings help readers understand how your articles are organized, but they have marketing and visibility perks, too. Here's what to know.

101 Writing Prompts to Get Ideas Moving

Need some ideas to get the pen moving? Here are 101 of them to help you get inspired for your next writing session.

Heliograf: How The Washington Post’s AI Writer Wrote 850 Articles in Year One