9 Easy Methods to Write a Good Introduction Sentence

Once I began my journey as a contract author, I struggled with writing introductions. I’d typically discover myself diving into the primary physique of the article and even wrapping up the conclusion earlier than circling again to the start.

The stress to craft an attention-grabbing opening was overwhelming, and I’d spend days making an attempt to determine the appropriate angle. The reason being that intros should be compelling sufficient to make readers proceed.

They should make a very good first impression.

Compelling readers to learn the article is an artwork type in itself. And for those who don‘t do it nicely, you’re lacking out on potential subscribers, leads, and prospects.

On this publish, I will share some easy methods that helped me write highly effective introductions that flip informal browsers into readers. Article introductions matter, and right here’s how one can make yours depend.

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Easy methods to Begin an Introduction

Writing a compelling introduction is essential for grabbing your reader’s consideration and setting the tone on your whole article.

Whereas there are a lot of approaches you may take to your introduction, listed here are three widespread however efficient methods to begin an intro that captivate your viewers from the very first sentence:

1. Utilizing Quotes

Beginning with a quote can instantly have interaction your readers by introducing a voice or perspective that resonates with the theme of your article.

Whether or not it’s a well-known quote, a line from a related e-book or film, or an announcement from an business skilled, a well-chosen quote can lend authority and context to your subject. It could actually additionally spark curiosity, encouraging readers to consider how the quote connects to the content material that follows.

Within the article, The Hidden Prices of Hobbies and Facet Tasks, the writer, Sam, begins with an nameless quote: “It’s important to sacrifice in life, or your life will change into the sacrifice.”

Whereas the article’s title is considerably worrying, the quote does intensify the ominous feeling readers will probably develop as they look at their very own lives to see what their hobbies and aspect tasks is perhaps costing them and the way detrimental these prices are to their total well-being.

One other instance of how quotes multiply the affect an article intro has on readers is that this one in an article in regards to the three deep books that rewired his thoughts.

Whereas the quote shouldn’t be the primary sentence within the intro, it does seem fairly early: “We query all our beliefs besides those we actually consider in” by Orson Scott.

This quote carries emotional weight, frightening thought and stirring curiosity in readers. It makes them wish to discover out the titles of those books, how precisely they rewired the writer’s worldview, and if the books may help them query their very own deeply held beliefs.

2. Setting a Scene

Setting a scene at first of your article can draw readers into a particular second, place, or scenario. This methodology is especially efficient for making a vivid psychological picture that makes the subject extra relatable and fascinating.

By portray an image together with your phrases, you invite your readers to step into the state of affairs and expertise it alongside you, which may make your content material extra impactful and memorable.

Right here’s an article titled Your OKRs Aren’t OKRs. Whereas business-related articles will be boring and monotonous, the writer of this one infuses life and coloration into the piece by beginning with a state of affairs.

This state of affairs prompts readers’ creativeness, permitting them to “see” the context of the piece earlier than consuming the primary content material.

It’s additionally written in a method that readers will probably have the ability to relate, particularly because the writer discusses their very own former dislike for Targets and Key Outcomes (OKRs), exhibiting that it’s one thing of a common expertise for managers.

While you set a scene, you’re not simply describing a scenario — you’re creating an environment that evokes emotion.

Whether or not it’s stress, pleasure, nostalgia, or calm, the scene you set can affect how readers really feel as they start studying. This emotional connection makes them extra invested and extra more likely to proceed studying.

Professional tip: Every time I’ve a related private or work expertise to share (that pertains to my article subject), I like to make use of my expertise because the intro (as I did on this article). However as an alternative of swapping one for the opposite, you may mix a fictional state of affairs with an anecdote to create a stronger affect.

3. Utilizing Statistics or Enjoyable Information

Beginning your introduction with a statistic or enjoyable reality is a robust strategy to seize consideration by stunning your readers or offering them with a chunk of data they may not have identified.

This method can shortly set up relevance and credibility, particularly when the statistic or reality instantly pertains to the issue or subject your article addresses. It additionally encourages readers to assume critically in regards to the topic, making them extra invested in studying extra.

On this article about the advantages of eye contact, the writer referenced a research by Clever.com that exhibits that over 50% of employers interpret a wrestle to make eye contact as nervousness or a insecurity.

This statistic achieves two issues on this article. First, it educates readers who weren’t conscious of this reality. Those that wrestle to make eye contact, particularly in interviews, will wish to learn the article until the tip to determine the right way to repair this challenge and improve their probabilities of discovering a job.

Second, it lends credibility to the piece and, by extension, the writer. As an alternative of the writer merely saying that not making eye contact can lead others to assume one is nervous or lacks confidence, they discover and reference an precise research to show their level and emphasize the significance of eye contact in dialog.

Readers will extra readily consider the research and different articles by the identical writer as they’ve seen that the writer doesn’t pull claims out of skinny air.

Enjoyable information won’t be based mostly on surveys, however utilizing them in your intros is a, dare I say, enjoyable strategy to quicken readers’ curiosity in your piece. The caveat is that they should be related to the subject you’re discussing.

Take, for instance, this enjoyable reality within the intro of an article titled, How Writing Makes The Invisible Seen (And Utilizing This to Hook up with Issues Far Larger).

The writer makes use of the truth that octopuses can style issues (and thus, pattern their setting) with their tentacles to attract a parallel to how writing may help people “flip our complicated worlds into structured language.”

Positive, this enjoyable reality is nice to study, but it surely additionally provokes curiosity and helps readers assume critically in regards to the subject.

1. Maintain it quick.

I’m a giant fan of quick sentences. I like them as a result of individuals can perceive them simply. There’s nice worth in brief sentences which can be readable, digestible, and punchy.

Writers typically get so caught up within the stress of a very good intro that they ship lengthy, run-on sentences. The issue with these sentences is that they make readers work exhausting, which isn’t an excellent incentive to maintain studying.

Whereas the size of an introduction can differ, it’s finest to goal for brevity with as much as three quick paragraphs. Utilizing AI instruments like our Paragraph Rewriter software may help make your paragraphs extra impactful and concise.

Readers are impatient to get to the meat of the article, so do not bury the lede deep in your article — minimize to the chase.

instance of a brief intro is that this one by Pablo Srugo for his article titled “I Was Supposed To Be a Millionaire at 25 … As an alternative, I Went Bankrupt.” The intro is simply three sentences lengthy and adequately enhances the attention-grabbing headline, prompting readers to proceed.

One other one is that this listicle explaining the highest 15 software program growth traits. The intro shortly explains why software program builders should concentrate on these traits and segues proper into stated traits.

2. Say one thing surprising.

You‘ve in all probability heard recommendation like “Create a hook” and “Seize the reader’s consideration.” However what sort of stuff truly grabs somebody’s consideration?

The trick is to say one thing surprising — one thing that catches the reader off guard.

This may very well be a private story that’s relatable but stunning, a query that challenges assumptions, compelling information that shifts views, or a scene-setting sentence that transports the reader into a unique context.

Give it some thought — your reader has already clicked on the headline. So, they’re enthusiastic about your subject. However now, you must reel them in just a little additional.

In case your very first sentence is fascinating sufficient to make individuals wish to learn the following one, then you definately’ve carried out a very good job.

For instance, this intro for an article titled “Absurdism: The Philosophy That Modified My Mindset” begins off with a thought that many individuals wrestle with: Nothing good is occurring in my life.

Whereas this can be a surprising strategy to begin an article, it does talk to readers that the writer has been of their sneakers and understands what they’re going by. And so, individuals who had by no means heard of absurdism earlier than can be enthusiastic about persevering with the article to see if there’s something in it for them.

Right here’s one other instance of an excellent intro, besides this one units the scene with a fictitious character named George, a recruiter whose job is to kind by 1000’s of resumes for brand spanking new job openings.

This scene helps readers image an setting during which they’re key gamers. On this case, the character they’re regarding isn’t George however the candidates whose resumes get caught within the Applicant Monitoring System (ATS) and who await a response that may by no means come.

George’s character supplies the required context for candidates to grasp what goes on on the different finish of their software as soon as they’ve despatched it.

3. Don’t repeat the title.

You solely have just a few seconds to make a powerful impression in your introduction, so use that point properly.

Whereas repeating the title of your article within the opening sentence would possibly appear to be a pure strategy to begin, it’s truly a wasted alternative. Your reader has already seen the title and clicked on it as a result of it intrigued them. Now, they’re on the lookout for one thing extra.

As an alternative of reiterating the headline, use your introduction to bolster the promise made by the title and set the stage for the remainder of the article.

That is your likelihood to develop on the subject, present context, and spotlight the worth your content material will deliver.

4. Use the phrase “you” no less than as soon as.

The phrase “you” is a robust phrase.

It tells the reader that you just, the writer, are writing the article with them in thoughts. You empathize with them, you care about them, and also you need your piece to resonate with them.

It is a easy trick that establishes an important connection together with your reader. It could actually rework an article from a distant, impersonal narrative right into a dialog that resonates with the reader on a deeper degree.

I’m utilizing this method on this article itself.

After discussing my expertise struggling to write down introductions, I defined to you, my readers, why understanding the right way to write compelling introductions is vital and the way these methods will assist you write higher intros.

5. Inform readers what’s coming subsequent.

As you craft your introduction, information your readers by letting them know what they’ll count on from the remainder of your article. What’s going to you be masking? What’s going to the reader study? How will this assist them?

By answering these questions in your intro, you set clear expectations and assist your viewers navigate your content material. They could simply leap to the part they’re most enthusiastic about or learn the entire thing. Listed below are just a few examples:

• “You’re about to seek out out why sea turtles at all times lay their eggs on the seaside.”
• “And, for those who’ve ever questioned why sea turtles lay their eggs on the seaside, this is every part you want to know.”
• “This text explains the 17 the reason why these superb creatures lay their eggs on seashores.”
• “Fascinating, humorous, and surprising, these are the the reason why sea creatures lay their eggs on the seaside.”

However you don’t at all times should be so specific. Typically, a well-placed query is sufficient to assist readers infer that you just’re about to present them some good data or suggestions within the article.

Right here’s an instance of this from a enterprise article about dealing with a low performer:

After explaining how managers typically inherit group members they didn’t rent, and a few don’t meet the corporate’s expectations, the writer asks, “So what must you do when confronted with an underperforming group member?”

The presence of this query implies that the writer will reply it in the primary physique of the article, so readers know to stay up for it.

6. Clarify why the article is vital.

It could be apparent to you why your article is vital to your readers, but it surely’s as much as you to emphasise its worth and put it in context.

For example, say you’re writing an article about TikTok written for a advertising and marketing viewers. You might lead with a stunning TikTok stat about its person base. Right here’s an instance:

“Previously two years, TikTok’s person base has grown by 15% whereas different platforms are seeing stagnant or declining engagement. This implies that entrepreneurs might wish to pay extra consideration to this short-form video platform.”

In two sentences, you’ve introduced an fascinating tidbit and defined why it issues.

Take the introduction to this text. You may recall the next sentence: “And for those who don‘t do it nicely, you’re lacking out on potential subscribers, leads, and prospects.”

My objective right here was to attach the subject of weblog publish introductions to a enterprise’s backside line.

This text by Rakia Ben Sassi about beginning a YouTube channel does one thing comparable:

She units the stage by describing the concern, pleasure, and uncertainty individuals really feel when beginning a YouTube channel. Then, she talks about her credentials and why readers ought to belief her opinion (she launched her personal channel three years in the past).

Then, she explains why the article is vital: It’s to assist readers who’re beginning a brand new channel or making an attempt to scale an current one.

7. Confer with a priority or downside your readers may need.

Everybody in each discipline has their very own set of issues. You must have some listed already from once you created your purchaser personas.

Addressing a particular concern or downside your readers face is a robust strategy to have interaction them proper from the beginning.

By acknowledging their challenges, you present empathy and instantly set up the relevance of your content material. Folks wish to clear up their issues, and articles that designate how to do that will provide help to earn readership.

For instance, for those who’re writing an article explaining how digital entrepreneurs can sustain with the ever-evolving digital panorama, you can say: “Feeling overwhelmed by the fixed adjustments in digital advertising and marketing? You’re not alone. On this article, we’ll discover methods that can assist you keep forward with out burning out.”

This empathetic method helps you construct belief and credibility, because it demonstrates your understanding of your readers’ wants. While you faucet into the reader’s problem-solving mindset, they’re motivated to proceed studying seeking options, making your content material extra impactful and memorable.

8. Watch out telling tales.

Many individuals will let you know that you want to write a narrative within the introduction to captivate your viewers. Tales generally is a highly effective software to attract readers in, as they naturally spark curiosity and create an emotional connection.

Nevertheless, there are each good and dangerous methods to make use of storytelling in your introductions. The bottom line is to inform a concise, related, and compelling story that piques your readers’ curiosity with out overwhelming them with an excessive amount of element.

Whereas it’s tempting to delve into an extended and complicated story, keep in mind that an introduction goals to seize consideration shortly and set the stage for what’s to return. An extended-winded story can lose readers alongside the way in which, diminishing the affect of your article.

When you select to start your article with a narrative, take into account withholding the conclusion of that story till later within the article and even till the very finish. By delaying the decision, you create a story thread that weaves by your article, sustaining your readers’ curiosity as you construct as much as the story’s conclusion.

For instance, say you’re writing an article about overcoming challenges in entrepreneurship.

When you’re an entrepreneur your self, you would possibly begin with a brief anecdote a few time you confronted a big setback in your entrepreneurial journey.

Describe the wrestle you confronted and the way it appeared insurmountable on the time, however don’t reveal the way you overcame it simply but.

As an alternative, use the story for example the theme of resilience and promise your readers that you just’ll discover the way you turned issues round later within the article.

9. Use a stat or a reality to convey urgency.

When journalists start a information story, they typically give readers an attention-grabbing stat or reality about what is going on on.

As a blogger or any sort of author, a very fascinating stat or reality will draw your reader in and present them why your subject is basically vital.

For instance, say you are a plumber writing a weblog publish on pipe alternative. You would possibly pull in additional readers for those who begin a publish by explaining how regularly previous pipes burst within the winter.

Or, for those who’re writing an article exhibiting people the right way to spend extra time studying as an alternative of scrolling their cellphone screens, you can begin by sharing statistics on what number of hours younger individuals spend on their telephones each day. Like this:

If readers see that this can be a widespread challenge that others face, they may hold studying to find out how they’ll keep away from it.

Utilizing Generative AI to Write Content material

ChatGPT’s on the spot and big reputation in late 2022 heralded severe discourse about utilizing generative AI to write down content material.

Whereas there are some polarizing opinions on how generative AI must be used, there’s no denying that AI instruments like ChatGPT, Jasper, and Copy.ai have change into worthwhile instruments for content material creators, together with myself. These instruments assist writers brainstorm concepts, overcome author’s block, and generate content material drafts.

In my expertise, they pace up my writing course of by offering a place to begin, crafting compelling introductions, and suggesting various phrasings.

Nevertheless, whereas generative AI will be extremely useful, I don’t assume it’s best to solely depend on what it generates. AI instruments can produce coherent and well-structured content material, however the output typically lacks the depth and nuance that come from private expertise, deep analysis, and subject-matter experience.

Furthermore, AI-generated textual content might embody inaccuracies or “hallucinations” — situations the place the AI presents false or deceptive data as reality.

On this article, the group at IBM detailed just a few examples of AI hallucinations, together with the time Meta pulled its Galactica LLM (giant language mannequin) demo in 2022 after it supplied customers with inaccurate data that was typically rooted in bias and prejudice.

That is why it’s best to at all times fact-check something AI generates for you.

That stated, you should utilize AI as a place to begin in your writing course of after which refine the content material with your individual (or third-party) experience to create a fascinating and reliable piece. When you wrestle with intros, listed here are the steps to utilizing AI to craft article introductions:

1. Decide the kind of introduction you wish to create. Are you beginning with a enjoyable reality, a quote, or by setting a scene? Every method requires a unique immediate.
2. Subsequent, write a immediate that instructs the AI on what sort of intro you want. Be clear in regards to the tone, fashion, and content material you’re aiming for.
3. As soon as the AI software generates the textual content, learn it rigorously. Search for any inaccuracies or areas which may want clarification, restructuring, or further element. The AI’s output is only a draft; it’s as much as you to refine it.
4. Edit the AI-generated content material to include your individual data, experiences, and voice. Be sure the introduction aligns with the remainder of your article and supplies a fascinating begin.
5. Confirm any information, quotes, or information included within the AI-generated textual content and personalize the content material the place vital to make sure it resonates together with your viewers and displays your distinctive perspective.

Listed below are just a few examples of AI prompts for various intro sorts.

1. Stating a Enjoyable Reality

Immediate: Write a fascinating introduction for an article about the advantages of morning train. Begin with a stunning enjoyable reality about how train impacts psychological well being.

Attainable output: Do you know that simply 20 minutes of train within the morning can increase your temper for as much as 12 hours? On this article, we’ll discover how a easy morning exercise can set a optimistic tone on your whole day.

2. Utilizing Quotes

Immediate: Create an introduction for an article about management within the office. Begin with a robust quote about management from a well known determine.

Attainable output: “The best chief shouldn’t be essentially the one who does the best issues. He’s the one which will get the individuals to do the best issues.” This quote by Ronald Reagan completely captures the essence of management. On this article, we’ll focus on how nice leaders encourage their groups to attain extraordinary outcomes.

3. Setting a Scene

Immediate: Write an introduction for an article in regards to the challenges of distant work. Begin by setting a scene that highlights a typical wrestle for distant employees.

Attainable output: It’s 7:00 AM, and also you’re already answering emails from the consolation of your kitchen desk. The road between work and residential blurs as you sip your espresso, looking for focus in an area that was as soon as reserved for leisure. That is the brand new actuality of distant work, the place the challenges are as complicated as they’re distinctive.

Observe: When you discover it troublesome or time-consuming to write down a complete weblog publish from begin to end, take a look at HubSpot’s free weblog publish templates that provide help to save time with out compromising on high quality.

Making a Nice First Impression

Whereas setting a scene and/or sharing a related anecdote is my favourite strategy to begin an article intro, I realized — and I hope you probably did, too — that there are a number of methods to write down an introduction that packs a punch and prompts readers to learn until the tip, together with utilizing quotes and sharing enjoyable information.

Nevertheless, whereas these methods are wonderful for creating curiosity, over the previous couple of years, I noticed that what actually retains individuals studying a chunk is the empathy I, the writer, infuse into it.

Letting readers know that I do know and relate to their struggles and that I’ve a potential resolution for them, be it another method of doing issues or a contrarian concept to assist them broaden their epistemic horizons, is what retains them engaged.

So now, each time I write an introduction, I take into consideration what sort of introduction would make me wish to learn the article. I then use that to tell the method I take.

Introductions are exhausting, and writing efficient ones takes time and observe. However bear in mind, it is all value it if it means protecting the eye of some extra of your readers.

Editor’s be aware: This publish was initially printed in October 2015 and has been up to date for comprehensiveness.