Why Nonfiction Writers Need to Include Anecdotes in Their Writing

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Nonfiction writing can feel a bit… heavy. Facts and arguments matter, but they rarely leave readers wanting more.

What readers crave are stories—ones that make them feel and see the bigger picture. That’s where anecdotes shine. Whether you’re writing a memoir, self-help book, or blog, anecdotes hook readers and keep them engaged.

What Are Anecdotes?

Anecdotes are short, personal stories used to illustrate a point. They can come from your own life, someone else’s, or history. They’re meant to be quick and packed with meaning.

For instance, instead of saying curiosity leads to success, you might share how Albert Einstein struggled so much in school. A teacher once said he’d never amount to anything. Yet, he went on to revolutionize science with his contributions to physics.

Anecdotes can be real or fictional. Even real ones are often slightly exaggerated to make them more engaging.

How to Use Anecdotes in Nonfiction

Adding anecdotes to your writing is easy—doing them well takes practice. Here are some tips to get you going.

Make sure they’re relevant.

Not every story works. Don’t toss in stories just because they’re interesting or entertaining. A good anecdote should:

  • Connect with your main point.
  • Be short and clear.
  • Make readers feel something.

Focus on specific details.

General stories won’t stick in readers’ minds. The more specific you can be, the better. Paint a vivid picture with a few well-chosen details.

So instead of saying, “Jonathan was the class clown,” go with “Jonathan came to school in a dress, strutting through the hallways like it was a runway. All because he lost a bet.”

Specificity gives readers a clear image, making the person or subject more memorable.

Make it relatable.

Your story might be personal, but it should resonate with your readers. The goal is to make them think, “That could have been me,” or “I know exactly how that feels.”

Focus on universal emotions or experiences. Even niche topics can feel relatable when tied to themes like failure or hope. Readers who’ve faced similar feelings will connect, even if their circumstances are different.

Write like it is fiction.

An anecdote might be a simple story—but it is still a story. Use fiction writing techniques to deliver it better.

  • Establish your characters and setting.
  • Add drama.
  • Write in the active voice.
  • Add dialogue.

Don’t preach.

People don’t like being lectured. Avoid preachiness by presenting your anecdote in a way that encourages reflection, rather than telling readers what to believe or do.

Which one has a better approach?

  • You should always be honest about your struggles.
  • When I started working with Claire, I was too afraid to admit I was struggling with deadlines. I thought it would make me look incompetent. Eventually, my mistakes were too obvious to hide, so I asked for help. To my surprise, Claire was understanding, and we created a better system together.

Let your readers draw their own conclusions. Avoid putting them on the spot.

Edit ruthlessly

You’ll probably end up with a full-blown story. Remove what’s unnecessary. Keep only the details that move the story forward or add color.

Avoid redundancies. For example, “She nodded her head” in agreement,” can simply be “She nodded.” Nodding inherently involves the head and is usually done in approval of something.

And if you can, simplify complex words without changing your meaning. You can still write beautiful prose without overly complicated vocabulary.

Why Are Anecdotes So Powerful?

Think of the last time something you read stuck with you. Chances are, it wasn’t a piece of information, but a story.

Anecdotes help add humanity to your writing. They make your work feel personal and relatable, instead of distant and cold.

Consider the options below. Which has more impact?

  • More than 55 million people have dementia worldwide.
  • Emily thought her grandfather forgetting her name was just a senior moment—until it happened more often. When he called her by his late wife’s name, she knew something was wrong. Millions of families around the world have faced the same heartbreaking reality.

The second sticks to the mind better, even if it is longer. When you connect emotions to information, people learn faster and remember longer. Humanizing information makes it easier for people to empathize.

A well-chosen story also makes even the most complicated ideas crystal clear. You can show how such ideas work in real life. It lets you hook readers in a way that plain facts never can.

It’s also easier to trust someone who shares personal and specific examples. It shows you know what you’re talking about, whether from personal experience or thorough research.

Do you use anecdotes in your writing? Share your thoughts below!

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