A great story idea is not enough. To get it made, you first need to get it read. Whether you're pitching a feature film, a YouTube series, or an anime short drama for an app like Tokime, you need a powerful, one-sentence summary that hooks producers and executives. That sentence is a logline. This guide will teach you how to write a logline that grabs attention and makes people want to know what happens next.
A logline is a one-sentence (occasionally two) summary of your story that communicates the central conflict. It's not a tagline or a theme. It's the DNA of your plot, distilled into 25-50 words. Mastering this skill is essential for any creator, from TikTok scriptwriters to novelists.
The essential components of a great logline
Every compelling logline contains four key elements. Understanding them is the first step to building your own.
- The protagonist: Who is your main character? Don't use their name. Instead, describe them with an adjective and their role that hints at their core flaw or situation (e.g., "a cynical barista," "a disgraced astronaut").
- The goal: What does your protagonist want? This must be a clear, tangible objective that drives the plot forward (e.g., "to win back his ex," "to stop a killer," "to find a hidden treasure").
- The obstacle: What or who is standing in their way? This is the central conflict. The obstacle should be formidable and directly opposed to the protagonist's goal (e.g., "an ancient curse," "a corrupt corporation," "her own self-destructive habits").
- The stakes: What happens if the protagonist fails? The stakes raise the tension and give the audience a reason to care. They can be personal (losing a loved one) or global (the end of the world).
The ultimate logline formula
While creativity is key, a solid logline formula provides the structure you need to make sure you've included all the essential components. Think of it as a logline template you can adapt to any story.
Here is a simple and effective formula:
When [INCITING INCIDENT] happens, a [PROTAGONIST] must [ACHIEVE A GOAL] before [STAKES] happen, all while facing [OBSTACLE].
You can rearrange the pieces for better flow, but make sure the core ideas are there.
Let's break it down with a classic example, Jaws:
- Protagonist: A police chief in a new town.
- Inciting Incident / Obstacle: A giant man-eating shark attacks beachgoers.
- Goal: To hunt the shark.
- Stakes: More people will die and his town will be ruined.
Logline: When a giant man-eating shark terrorizes a New England beach town, the local police chief must hunt it down before it kills again.
How to write a logline: examples by genre
To see the formula in action, here are some original logline examples for genres popular with online audiences and short drama apps.
| Genre | Logline |
|---|---|
| Modern Fantasy | A cynical barista discovers her latte art predicts the future, but when she draws a vision of her own death, she must master her new powers to change her fate before the final drop falls. |
| Rom-Com | After a humiliating breakup goes viral, a data analyst uses her algorithm to find the "perfect" man, only to fall for the chaotic, statistically-incompatible artist who lives next door. |
| Thriller | A gig-economy driver accepts a high-paying, late-night ride, but soon realizes his passenger is a fugitive from a secret organization, and the destination is an ambush. |
| YA Dystopian | In a city where emotions are outlawed, a teenage girl who can secretly feel must fake conformity to infiltrate the government and rescue her brother before he's "erased" for good. |
Notice how each example establishes the character, the conflict, and what’s at stake in a single, compelling sentence. They create intrigue and ask a question the audience wants answered.
Common logline mistakes to avoid
Writing a great logline is often about what you leave out. As you refine your sentence, watch out for these common pitfalls.
- Being too long: Aim for 25-50 words. If it’s longer, you’re including too much detail. A logline is a hook, not a synopsis.
- Being too vague: Phrases like "must learn about herself" or "goes on a journey of discovery" don't describe the plot. Be specific about the external conflict.
- Revealing the ending: The point of a logline is to make someone want to read the story. Don't give away the resolution. A good logline sets up a question, it doesn't answer it.
- Using character names: Unless you're writing about a famous historical figure (e.g., Lincoln, Cleopatra), names mean nothing to a reader. Use descriptive archetypes instead.
- Asking a rhetorical question: Avoid ending your logline with something like, "But will she succeed?" A strong logline implies the question without asking it. The conflict itself creates the drama.
Pitch your story to Tokime
Once you've crafted the perfect logline, you're one step closer to getting your story made. For writers and creators, a powerful logline is the first and most important part of any pitch. It's the key that unlocks the door.
At Tokime, we look for compelling, high-concept ideas that can be told in a series of 1-3 minute vertical episodes. Our Story Studio runs a weekly idea contest where creators in our partner program can pitch their concepts. If your story is selected and filmed, you earn an extra 15 percentage points on top of your regular partner share for everything your viewers spend on that series—for life.
A sharp logline is the foundation of a successful submission. To learn how to structure the rest of your pitch, see our full guide on how to pitch a short drama story. A great pitch gets you noticed, but to keep viewers hooked on a short-form series, you'll also need to master the art of the cliffhanger.
FAQ
How long should a logline be?
A logline should ideally be one sentence, between 25 and 50 words. This forces you to be concise and focus only on the most critical elements of your plot.
Should I use my character's name in the logline?
No, unless the character is a world-famous public figure. A name like "Jane Smith" is meaningless to a producer reading your pitch. Instead, use a descriptive title like "a timid accountant" or "a disgraced journalist" to quickly establish character.
What's the difference between a logline and a tagline?
A logline summarizes the plot and conflict of the story. A tagline is a short, catchy marketing phrase designed to be memorable and appear on a poster (e.g., "In space, no one can hear you scream").
Can I have more than one logline for the same story?
You should focus on perfecting a single, primary logline that best captures your story's core conflict. However, you might slightly adjust the wording or emphasis depending on who you're pitching to, but the fundamental elements should remain the same.