When to reveal the solution

 

“The form in which thoughts occur to a writer is rarely the same as the form in which they can be absorbed by the reader.”  Steven Pinker.

It’s the one quote I keep at my desk, reminding me that a logical narrative does not always result in an engaging one.

Bottom line? We need resolution near the start, not at the end.

Here’s what I mean.

I’ve noticed most of us tend to communicate in the following order: 

Problem – journey – SOLUTION.  

But for a business audience, especially for longer form pieces, it’s often better to share:

Problem – SOLUTION – journey.

We need to cut to the chase, knowing that if the solution is sufficiently interesting, your customers or colleagues will want to know how we got there.

If we make them wait for the solution, we risk their impatience, irritation and abandonment.

 

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