From Snooze to Slay: The Ultimate Guide to Making Complex Topics Pop in Your Writing

Courtney Simms
5 min readJul 2, 2024

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Tired of putting your readers to sleep? Learn how to transform boring, complex topics into engaging content that’ll have your audience hooked from the first sentence

From Snooze to Slay: The Ultimate Guide to Making Complex Topics Pop in Your Writing

Hey there, fellow wordsmiths! Are you ready to turn those yawn-inducing, brain-melting topics into content so engaging it’ll make your readers forget they’re actually learning something? Well, buckle up, buttercup, because we’re about to embark on a wild ride through the world of making complex topics not just bearable, but downright irresistible!

The Art of the Conversational Opener

First things first, let’s talk about how to kick off your article without sending your readers running for the hills. You know that feeling when you’re at a party, and someone starts droning on about quantum physics?

Yeah, we want to avoid that vibe at all costs.Instead, imagine you’re chatting with your bestie over a cuppa. How would you introduce the topic? Maybe something like:”Alright, so you know how sometimes you read an article and your brain feels like it’s been put through a blender? Well, today we’re going to learn how to turn that brain smoothie into a delicious, easy-to-digest knowledge cocktail!”See what I did there? I’ve just taken the potentially dull topic of “writing about complex subjects” and turned it into something relatable and, dare I say, a bit cheeky. It’s all about finding that sweet spot between informative and entertaining.

Break It Down Like You’re Explaining It to Your Nan

Now, I’m not saying your nan isn’t a brilliant rocket scientist (for all I know, she could be ;), but the principle here is to break down your complex topic into bite-sized, easily digestible chunks. Think about it like this: if you were trying to explain TikTok to your gran, you wouldn’t start with the intricacies of the algorithm, would you?Here’s how you might break down a complex topic:

  1. Start with the big picture: What’s the main idea you’re trying to convey?
  2. Identify the key components: What are the essential elements that make up this concept?
  3. Use analogies: How can you relate these components to everyday things?
  4. Build up gradually: Start with the simplest ideas and work your way up to the more complex ones.

For example, if you’re writing about climate change, you might start with:”Imagine the Earth is wearing a big, cosy jumper. Now, thanks to all the greenhouse gases we’re pumping into the atmosphere, that jumper is getting thicker and thicker. And just like you’d start to sweat if you wore too many layers, our planet is heating up too!”

Sprinkle in Some Pop Culture Magic

Nothing makes a complex topic more relatable than tying it to something your readers already know and love. Are you writing about economic theory? Why not throw in a reference to “The Wolf of Wall Street”? Discussing the intricacies of space travel? A cheeky nod to “The Martian” could be just the ticket.For instance:”Understanding the stock market can feel about as easy as trying to decipher one of Eleven’s nosebleed-induced visions in ‘Stranger Things’. But fear not! By the end of this article, you’ll be navigating the financial world with the confidence of Steve Harrington wielding his nail-studded bat.”

The Power of the Perfect Analogy

A well-crafted analogy can be the difference between your readers nodding off and having that coveted “aha!” moment. The key is to find something relatable that captures the essence of your complex topic.Let’s say you’re writing about how vaccines work. You could say:”Think of a vaccine like a wanted poster for a dangerous criminal. It shows your immune system what the bad guys (viruses) look like, so when the real thing shows up, your body’s defence squad is ready to take them down faster than you can say ‘You’re nicked!’”

Break Up the Text (Because Nobody Likes a Wall)

Remember, we’re living in the age of TikTok and Instagram. Our attention spans are shorter than ever, so you need to make your content as scannable as possible. Use subheadings, bullet points, and even the occasional meme or GIF to break up your text and keep things visually interesting.For example:

  • Use subheadings to divide your content into easily digestible sections
  • Throw in some bullet points for key takeaways
  • Don’t be afraid to use bold or italics for emphasis
  • Insert a relevant meme or GIF to illustrate your point (and give your readers a chuckle)

Engage Your Readers with Questions

Want to keep your audience on their toes? Pepper your writing with questions that get them thinking. It’s like having a conversation, minus the awkward silences and the need to remember people’s names at parties.For instance:”Ever wondered why your cat always seems to know when you’re about to open a tin of tuna? Well, get ready to have your mind blown, because we’re about to dive into the fascinating world of feline senses!”

Photo by Joshua Sukoff on Unsplash

The Grand Finale: Wrap It Up with a Bow

As you’re wrapping up your article, don’t just fizzle out like a damp firework. Go out with a bang! Summarise your main points, throw in a final quip or analogy, and leave your readers feeling like they’ve just unlocked a new level of understanding.For example:”And there you have it, folks! We’ve journeyed through the complex landscape of [insert topic], armed with nothing but our wits, some snazzy analogies, and a healthy dose of pop culture references.

You’ve laughed, you’ve learned, and now you’re ready to dazzle your mates with your newfound knowledge. So go forth, you brilliant brainiac, and spread the word — because knowledge is power, and you’re now officially a superhero of [insert topic]!”Remember, the key to making complex topics pop is to keep things light, relatable, and engaging.

Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through — after all, if you’re having fun writing it, chances are your readers will have fun reading it too!

Now, go forth and make those tricky topics your b*tch!

Your readers (and their previously melting brains) will thank you for it.

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Courtney Simms

Top Medium Writer, So if you wanna collab, have a product to promote or snag some killer links? Slide into my DMs: courtneysimms577@gmail.com