# Live Session #4: How to Use Writing Rhythms & Formatting [video:: [Live Session Replay #4: Writing Rhythms And Formatting To Keep Your Reader’s Attention | July 2025 🚢](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edmXYy8ooZc)] [prev:: [[2025-07-24_S03|Live Session #3: How to Write Compelling & Irresistible Headlines]]] [next:: [[2025-07-31_S05|Live Session #5: Day 15 Halfway Checkpoint Ask-Me-Anything]]] ## Notes - Today's giveaway is another is another dropshipped emoji hat. - They suggest double-dipping your writing by also then doing video content with it » longform or shortform, reading your writing - Prep the page » a simple framework for outlining your atomic essays - Structure - Title - Credibility - Main points - Conclusions - Architecture first » Before you start writing, you should be able to summarize the idea you are about to write about in a short, simple list - Working title - What's one thing you can tell the reader (right away) to make them trust you (credibility) - Main points - What's the final take away? - Big paragraphs at the beginning turn off the reader… - Break out the first sentence - Once you've read the sentence, you're already reading the piece - Emphasis on the formatting for optimizing readers reading the content - 6 single-sentence openers - Open with 1 strong, declarative sentence. - Don't hedge on the first sentence if you're being declarative… ("If you stand for nothing, Burr…") » commit to a point of view - Open with a thought-provoking question. - Open with a controversial opinion. - Don't just be sensational, or controversial for controversy sake. - It's saying something *different* » something not conventional wisdom - Open with a moment in time. - They didn't openly say this… but it evokes storytelling. - Open with a vulnerable statement. (Personal story) - Open with a weird, unique insight. - Turn main points into subheads - Overall visual pacing of the atomic essay - 1/3/1 writing rhythms - They make a point of doing the work first and *then* engaging with AI, instead of just using AI. - H2 subheads are beneficial ## Prompt, from session Prompt from screenshot, since they posted the wrong link in the course *and* posted the wrong presentation deck. Am not convince "ship it" without an editing pass works when you're selling something… ``` I am going to train you to write effective single-sentence openers. These are proven ways to "hook" the reader's attention in the very first sentence. Here are the 6 most proven single-sentence openers: 1. Open with 1 strong, declarative sentence. 2. Open with a thought-provoking question. 3. Open with a controversial opinion. 4. Open with a moment in time. 5. Open with a vulnerable statement. 6. Open with a weird, unique insight. Now, I'm going to give you examples of each so you can learn how each different kind of single-sentence opener should be written: 1. Open with 1 strong, declarative sentence. - Becoming successful doesn't just "happen." - The wealthiest people in the world have the simplest investment portfolios. - Going to the gym isn't a hobby, it's a lifestyle. - The key to effective project management isn't a tool or platform-it's your ability to listen. - You can't change the world without first changing yourself. ``` The middle chunk is missing because they only showed part of it on screen… ``` 6. Open with a weird, unique insight. - Did you know that 85% of the world's axygen comes from phytoplankton? - California is not the largest state in the US-Alaska is. - The average Millennial has less than $60,000 saved up in retirement by the time they reach age 40. - Crows are one of the most intelligent animals on planet earth. - My wife can boil a dozen eggs in 7 minutes or less. I am going to give you the headline of a piece, and you are going to write single-sentence openers based on that headline using these 6 proven single-sentence openers-with 5 opening sentences inside each category. As a reminder: Here are the 6 most proven single-sentence openers: 1. Open with 1 strong, declarative sentence. 2. Open with a thought-provoking question. 3. Open with a controversial opinion. 4. Open with a moment in time. 5. Open with a vulnerable statement. 6. Open with a weird, unique insight. I will give you the headline, and you will write 3 opening sentences for each of these 6 categories. Also, as a rule of thumb: please do not use the headline itself in the first sentence. Do you understand, and are you ready for the headline? ``` ## Prompt, after session ``` I am going to train you to write effective single-sentence openers. These are proven ways to "hook" the reader's attention in the very first sentence. Here are the 6 most proven single-sentence openers: 1. Open with 1 strong, declarative sentence. 2. Open with a thought-provoking question. 3. Open with a controversial opinion. 4. Open with a moment in time. 5. Open with a vulnerable statement. 6. Open with a weird, unique insight. Now, I'm going to give you examples of each so you can learn how each different kind of single-sentence opener should be written: 1. Open with 1 strong, declarative sentence. - Becoming successful doesn’t just “happen.” - The wealthiest people in the world have the simplest investment portfolios. - Going to the gym isn’t a hobby, it’s a lifestyle. - The key to effective project management isn’t a tool or platform—it’s your ability to listen. - You can’t change the world without first changing yourself. 1. Open with a thought-provoking question. - Did you know the average Millennial has less than $10,000 in their savings account? - What’s the difference between someone who goes pro versus someone who remains an amateur? - Is there such a thing as eternal happiness? - Is artistic talent innate? Or can it be taught? - If you’ve been thinking about writing online, was your first impulse to start a blog? 1. Open with a controversial opinion. - It’s impossible to be both rich and happy. - The U.S. should not be involved in the war between Russia and Ukraine. - If you drive a Tesla, you don’t actually care about the environment—you just want people to think you do. - Men and women should not make the same amount of money (women should make more). - Intelligence isn’t something you’re born with. 1. Open with a moment in time. - In 1982, David Ogilvy wrote an internal memo to the employees of his advertising agency titled “How to write.” - At 5:46 AM Pacific Time, September 11th, 2001, America changed forever. - My fear of cafeteria trays began in 8th grade. - When I was 17 years old, I became one of the highest-ranked World of Warcraft players in North America. 1. Open with a vulnerable statement. - By the time I closed the doors of my first company, I’d lost more than $10 million of investor money. - I’ve never been a very social person. - For 27 years, I’ve struggled with alcoholism. - The night before running my first marathon, I called my ex-girlfriend and told her I still loved her. - For the first 10 years of my career, I was a terrible employee. - I don’t know anything about investing (nada, zilch). 1. Open with a weird, unique insight. - Did you know that 85% of the world’s oxygen comes from phytoplankton? - California is not the largest state in the US—Alaska is. - The average Millennial has less than $60,000 saved up in retirement by the time they reach age 40. - Crows are one of the most intelligent animals on planet earth. - My wife can boil a dozen eggs in 7 minutes or less. I am going to give you the headline of a piece, and you are going to write single-sentence openers based on that headline using these 6 proven single-sentence openers—with 5 opening sentences inside each category. As a reminder: Here are the 6 most proven single-sentence openers: 1. Open with 1 strong, declarative sentence. 2. Open with a thought-provoking question. 3. Open with a controversial opinion. 4. Open with a moment in time. 5. Open with a vulnerable statement. 6. Open with a weird, unique insight. I will give you the headline, and you will write 3 opening sentences for each of these 6 categories. Also, as a rule of thumb: please do not use the headline itself in the first sentence. Do you understand, and are you ready for the headline? ```