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Note on How To Write Irresistible Query Letters by Lisa Collier Cool

Leads

• 5 Ws (Who. . . What. . . When. . . Where. . . Why. . . How)
• Inverted Pyramid (arouse interest, provide specifics, close with key points)
• (???) Anecdote
• Question
• Facts
• Quotes and Dialogue
• Comparisons and Contrasts
• Witty Definitions (considered cliche by another article I read)
• Commands to the Reader
• Surprising Twists
• Shockers

Query Body

1. lead (see above)
2. statement of purpose
3. outline
4. facts & figures
5. sources
6. case histories
7. quotes
8. nuts & bolts
9. theme
10. background/future
11. relevance to reader
12. timing tie-ins
13. news pages (???)
14. illustrations
15. extras

Slants that Sell

1. new!
2. sexy slants
3. $ talks
4. call of the wild (adventure)
5. confidential
6. promises, promises
7. selling through intimidation
8. unexpected reversals
9. betting on the numbers
10. maapping out a slant (geography)
11. travel
12. humor
13. gee whiz!
14. the best (superlatives to position???)