Loglines vs. Taglines: What’s the Difference?

These two terms get conflated constantly, even by working professionals. Here is the clean separation, and the messy middle where real confusion lives.

The Logline

A logline tells your story: who the main character is and what it is about. Its purpose is to communicate the essence of the story clearly.

A logline contains:

1. The protagonist — with a defining characteristic relevant to the story
2. The inciting incident — what disrupts their world and sets the story in motion
3. The central goal or conflict — what they must do or overcome
4. The stakes — what happens if they fail

The formula: When [something happens to] [your protagonist], they must [goal] before [stakes / ticking clock] or [consequence].

Example, Toy Story: When a new toy threatens his place as a boy’s favorite, a proud cowboy doll must work with his flashy rival to escape a dangerous neighbor and return home before their owner moves away.

The Tagline

A tagline is a marketing and branding device. Its job is not to explain the story; it’s to evoke a feeling or create intrigue. Taglines withhold information to create curiosity and emotion. A great tagline makes you feel something before you understand anything.

Characteristics of a Tagline:

• Short and Snappy: Just a few words, making it easy to remember.
• Thematic or Emotional Appeal: Highlights the underlying theme or emotion journey, rather than specific plot points.
• Memorable and Catchy: Designed to stick in the reader’s mind.

Imagine a novel about a time-traveling detective:

• Logline: A police detective from 1920 leaps through time to solve crimes that haven’t happened yet, only to find that changing the past could shatter his future.
• Tagline: Time is his beat.

Famous examples:

• Alien — “In space, no one can hear you scream.” Tells you almost nothing about the plot. Tells you everything about the feeling.
• Jaws — “Don’t go in the water.” Four words that made a nation afraid of the beach.
• The Social Network — “You don’t get to 500 million friends without making a few enemies.” Reframes a corporate story as a human betrayal narrative.
• Jurassic Park — “An adventure 65 million years in the making.” Awe and scale.

Think of it this way:

• A logline explains the story.
• A tagline sells the story.
• A logline says: What is this about?
• A tagline says: Why does this feel irresistible?

How to Write Your Tagline

Start with your emotional hook from your cocktail pitch. Is there a way to make it simpler, shorter, and more dramatic?

1. Be Concise and Memorable: Aim for a short, catchy phrase.

2. Capture the Essence: Your tagline should reflect the core theme or emotional impact of your story.

3. Create Intrigue: Pose a question or present a paradox that piques curiosity.

4. Use Strong, Vivid Language: Choose words that evoke imagery and emotion.

Example: In a game of deceit, trust is a luxury she can’t afford.

Why Writers Need Taglines

Do you need to know your tagline? Isn’t that the marketing department’s job? Well, as screenwriters and novelists, you are your own marketers as you constantly sell your projects. Taglines are a way to grab someone’s attention quickly and get to that all-important “tell me more.”

For Screenwriters:

Your tagline functions as your seven-second pitch. It is even more effective than your logline at capturing people’s attention. Once you’ve got them, you can follow up with your logline and then hit them with your cocktail pitch.

For Novelists:

Your tagline is marketing gold. Put it on your cover or the back of your book as the first sentence of your blurb and use it in all of your ads.

No matter what kind of project you’re selling, a great tagline lives forever in your readers’ heads!

Interesting Inspiration

​Author Update breaks down the Pope's encyclical about AI so you don't have to read the 40,000-word tome. ​

Catch Up Corner

​How to Write a Logline​

​Everyone is Creative! ​

I'm on the Wish I'd Known Then Podcast talking about how to sell your book to Hollywood.

​Tell a Story Like Margot Robbie​

Cheers,

Lindsey

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