Listicle draft

Listicle Assignment
We’re going to take a little break from journalism writing (though we’ll get back to it next week with press releases) and jump into viral content. You’re going to be writing a listicle (that is, it’s a list and an article). Here’s an example of the kind of style we’re going for, but this isn’t in the exact format we’re going to do:
https://www.buzzfeed.com/jenniferabidor/riverdale-recap-1-30-19?origin=web-hf (Links to an external site.)
Really, anything on Buzzfeed with a number in the headline is a listicle.
You’re writing an article titled “9 Things You Didn’t Know About ___________ That Will Totally Change Your Life”
Requirements:
9 numbered items
1 paragraph / item (3 – 5 sentences)
1 picture / item
Each numbered item has a headline, description, and picture, like this (this topic is Netflix, see the next page):
SECRET MISSION REQUIREMENT: In ONE of your 9 items, you need to work in a subtle reference to a product on Amazon.com and link to it. See below for example:
#6: You Can Watch in Your PJs
Who wants to get dressed up and go out to spend $15 on a movie? Not me. After a long day of looking at dogs on Instagram, you can bet I’m headed straight for the full flannel PJs and bunny slippers (Links to an external site.) when I get home. In PJs, anything is your bed if you try hard enough, and Netflix isn’t there to judge. Binge your favorite show while you are snug as a bug in a rug.
Tone: The tone for this is super bubbly and fun. You can still use NO MORE than 3 exclamation points in this entire piece, though. Use them wisely.
Audience: Your audience is college students like you. Feel free to write in first person, or address them directly. Make them laugh or smile.
Remember to make this look nice!
Goals: to inform people about something they probably don’t know a lot about, and get people to read through all the way to the end.
Tips: Your fact doesn’t actually have to be life changing, but you need to write about it in a way that makes it seem like it is. So let’s say for 9 Things about “Coffee”… one of your facts is “Finland consumes the most coffee in the world.” That’s not exactly life changing, and written like that, it’s definitely not bubbly and fun.

So first, let’s change the headline to make it more exciting:
#4: You Need to Move to Finland Right Now

This makes the reader want to know more! And it’s written in a tone that’s sassy and fun.

Copy: Ever felt lost and alone in your total coffee addiction, where none of your friends or family truly understands what it means to love coffee? It might be time to pack your bags and book the first flight to Finland, where they consume the most coffee in the world. Wish your coffee soulmates Hyvää iltaa (good evening) while watching the Northern Lights. You’ll thank me later.

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