SUBJECT LINE: "[INTRIGUING, PERSONAL SUBJECT — e.g., 'The conversation that changed everything' or 'I almost quit last week']"
PREHEADER: "[TEASER THAT BUILDS CURIOSITY]"
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Hey [FIRST NAME],
[OPEN WITH A SCENE. Drop the reader into a specific moment in time. Use sensory details — what you saw, heard, felt. 2-3 sentences max.]
[EXPAND THE CONTEXT. What led to this moment? Why does it matter? 1-2 paragraphs.]
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[THE CONFLICT OR TENSION. What was the challenge, the doubt, the decision point? This is the heart of the essay. Be vulnerable. 2-3 paragraphs.]
[THE TURNING POINT. What changed? What did you realize, decide, or discover? 1-2 paragraphs.]
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[THE LESSON. Zoom out from your personal story and connect it to a universal truth or actionable takeaway. This is where the reader sees themselves in your story. 1-2 paragraphs.]
[THE CALL TO REFLECT. End with a question or prompt that invites the reader to think about their own experience.]
"[CLOSING QUESTION — e.g., 'Have you ever had a moment like this? I'd love to hear about it.']"
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[YOUR NAME]
P.S. [OPTIONAL — a soft CTA, a link to related content, or a personal note]