Structure: Hook–Middle–Ending + Simple Script

A powerful audio story is not “long” — it’s clear.
Clarity comes from structure.

This lesson gives you an easy structure you can use every week:

✅ Hook (grab attention)
✅ Middle (what happened + why it matters)
✅ Ending (what we learn / what changes / what you want us to feel)

You’ll also get a simple script template (fill in the blanks) for your voice note or audio story.

What you will learn

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Create a strong hook in 1–2 sentences
• Organize your story into a clear middle and ending
• Write a short script for a 60–120 second audio piece
• Combine voice + interview + ambient sound in a logical flow

1) The Hook–Middle–Ending structure (simple but powerful)

1. A) HOOK (0–10 seconds)

Goal: Make the listener want to keep listening.

A hook can be:

• A surprising line
• A question
• A strong feeling
• A vivid moment
• A short quote (with permission)

Hook examples

• “People think I’m confident… but they don’t know how scared I was that day.”
• “Have you ever had to choose between school fees and food?”
• “The sound you’re hearing is my home… and it’s where my story begins.”

✅ Hook rule: Don’t explain everything. Just pull us in.

1. B) MIDDLE (10–80 seconds)

Goal: Tell the main story clearly.

The middle usually includes:

1. Context: What is happening? Where? Who?
2. Key moment: The most important moment/turning point
3. Meaning: Why does it matter? What did you learn?

✅ Middle rule: One main idea is enough. Don’t try to tell five stories.

1. C) ENDING (80–120 seconds)

Goal: Leave the listener with a feeling or message.

Ending options:

• A lesson you learned
• A question for the listener
• A hopeful next step
• A short call-to-action (gentle, not forcing)
• A final line that stays in the mind

Ending examples

• “Now, when people say I’m lucky, I remember the nights I almost gave up.”
• “Maybe the real question is: how many young people are carrying this quietly?”
• “This is my voice — and I’m learning to use it with courage.”

✅ Ending rule: Don’t add new information at the end. Close the story.

2) The “1 Message” rule

Before you script, answer this:

If my listener remembers only one thing, what should it be?

That is your message.

Examples of 1 message:

• “You can’t judge someone’s silence; they might be fighting a private battle.”
• “Small support can change someone’s direction.”
• “Young people deserve safe spaces to speak and be heard.”

Keep your story aligned to one message.

3) Timing guide (so you don’t go too long)

Here’s a simple timing plan:

• 0–10 sec: Hook
• 10–20 sec: Set the scene (where/what)
• 20–60 sec: Key moments (what happened)
• 60–90 sec: Meaning + lesson
• 90–120 sec: Ending line + takeaway

If you’re doing 60–90 seconds, just shorten the middle.

4) Simple Script Template (Fill in the blanks)

Copy this and fill it in:

TITLE: ___________________________

[HOOK – 1–2 lines]
People say I ____________________, but what’s missing is ____________________.

[SCENE – where are we?]
Right now, I’m at/in ____________________. (Add 1–2 details.)

[WHAT HAPPENED – the key moment]
The moment I will never forget is when ____________________.
What I felt was ____________________.
What I did (or didn’t do) was ____________________.

[WHY IT MATTERS – meaning]
This matters because ____________________.
It taught me ____________________.

[ENDING – final takeaway]
So today, I want to say ____________________.
(End with a strong final line): ____________________.

5) Script + Sound Plan (Voice + Interview + Ambient)

If your story includes interview or ambient sound, use this flow:

Option A: Voice-only story (simple)

1. Hook (your voice)
2. Story (your voice)
3. Ending (your voice)

Option B: Voice + Ambient (recommended)

1. Ambient (2 seconds) + Hook (your voice)
2. Ambient under the middle (soft, not loud)
3. Ending line + fade out ambience (2 seconds)

Option C: Voice + Interview + Ambient (strongest)

1. Hook line (your voice)
2. Short interview clip (5–10 sec)
3. Your explanation / story
4. Another short clip (optional)
5. Ending (your voice) + ambience fade

✅ Rule: Interview clips should be short. Your narration holds it together.

6) Quick checklist before recording

Use this every time:

• ✅ My story has one main message
• ✅ My hook is clear in the first 10 seconds
• ✅ My middle has one key moment
• ✅ My ending leaves a lesson or feeling
• ✅ I have consent if I recorded someone else
• ✅ My ambient sound is not louder than my voice

Mini-Activity: Write your “Audio Script Draft” (20–30 minutes)

Step 1: Choose your story seed

Pick ONE story seed:

• “People say I… but what’s missing is…”
• “I used to believe… until…”
• “One day I learned…”

Step 2: Fill in the template

Write a first draft (don’t worry about perfection).

Step 3: Read it aloud

If it feels too long, remove extra details and keep the strongest part.

Step 4: Prepare your recording plan

Decide:

• Where will I record voice? (quiet place)
• Where will I record ambience? (story location)
• Who needs consent?

What to submit (if required)

Submit:

1. Your script draft (typed text) OR a screenshot of your written script
2. A short note: “My message is: __________”