In the process of writing a paper (whether in the form of an essay, speech, or scientific work), one of the important elements that you must present is "attractiveness". The attractiveness of the text is what will keep the reader's focus so that they will want to read your writing to the end. Therefore, these elements should be presented in the introduction; If the first part is interesting, the content and conclusion should be interesting, right? Try to grab the reader's attention by presenting a surprising quote or fact. In addition, you can also start writing with a provocative statement or question, and use storytelling techniques to capture the reader's attention and emotions.
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Method 1 of 3: Starting with a Quotation, Definition, or Fact
Step 1. Include a short quote that relates to the topic of your writing
Ideally, the quote is able to explore the topic in more detail and/or develop the theme of the article. You can also select a quote that contains background information related to the selected topic. Try to find quotes from the material you are discussing or from other supporting material.
- If your essay is about Shakespeare's work, try starting your essay with a play quote that will grab the reader's attention. For example, you might write, “At the beginning of William Shakespeare's Hamlet, the troubled prince says: 'This above all: to thine own self be true.' what is shown time and again are individual qualities and self-identity.”
- Always include citations in the correct format; Usually, the person giving the assignment (such as your teacher) will state the citation writing requirements that you must apply in the essay.
Step 2. Avoid quotes that are too cliché or familiar
Also avoid quotes that are vague and irrelevant to topics like, “Life is hard” or “Love is blind.” Instead, choose a quote that is able to explain the cliché in more specific and detail.
For example, you might write, “In Shakespeare's story Othello, it is explained that love is neither blind nor all-seeing. As Othello said, 'For she had eyes and she chose me.'”
Step 3. Write down the surprising fact
Include facts that will shock or unsettle the reader; You can find the facts in the form of data or statistics from the sources of information used or from the texts discussed.
For example, you might write, “In America, 25,000 die each year from drunk driving” or “One in five women in the United States is raped.”
Step 4. Try paraphrasing a definition
Simply listing definitions taken from the dictionary will make your writing “dry” and boring. Therefore, make sure you always paraphrase any definitions listed in your own language. Trust me, doing so will make your writing feel more alive and interesting to the reader.
For example, you might write, “When the city government made renovations, they basically remodeled and developed the area to better suit the tastes of the middle class.” You could also write, “When an area is renovated, it basically becomes more civilized for some people. Unfortunately, not everyone feels that way.”
Method 2 of 3: Starting with a Statement or Question
Step 1. Ask provocative and critical questions for readers
Begin writing with the question words “What if,” “Why,” or “How.” Remember, the questions asked must be relevant to the topic, theme, or main idea of your essay! In addition, the question must be able to attract the reader's attention and encourage them to think critically.
For example, you might ask, “What if women lived in a world free from threats of violence?” or “Why can't everyone enjoy access to free healthcare in America?”
Step 2. Avoid closed questions that can only be answered with “yes” or “no”
Avoid questions that are too general and have the potential to make readers lazy to read the whole body of your essay.
For example, instead of starting your post with the question, "Have you ever thought about the consequences of your actions?" try writing, “Why is it important to consider the consequences of our actions?”
Step 3. Use statements that describe your perspective
In other words, summarize your perspective in a short, declarative statement; In addition to explaining your perspective, discuss the points that help shape your writing's point of view.
For example, you might write, “Shakespeare's Othello is a play that raises issues about the folly of love and the power of desire,” or, “In America, drunk driving has become a plague that kills more and more people every year.”
Step 4. Begin the opinion with the phrase “I believe” or “According to my perspective
Make sure you apply this method when writing an opinion or personal essay.
For example, you could write, “I believe that the state needs to be smarter in understanding the fundamental issues behind the banner of democracy,” or “In my perspective, there is no need for various political parties to practice democracy.”
Step 5. Begin with a statement that contradicts your current position
After that, you can explore what the opposition looks like and why you oppose that position in the essay. This option is perfect if you want to create an introduction that surprises and intrigues the reader.
For example, you might write, “Right-wing conservatives believe that immigrants are to blame for many of America's problems today. In this essay, I will explain why and how the argument is weak in my eyes.”
Step 6. Start with a hyperbolic or exaggerating statement
This option is appropriate if you are aiming to write a personal opinion or essay. Exaggerating the details of the story is effective in trapping the reader's interest, you know! Try to provide a visual image in the reader's mind through dramatic and hyperbolic statements.
For example, you might write, "Death has been in my life since I was 16" or "For me, the greatest joy is when I can isolate myself and get away from the hustle and bustle of the world."
Method 3 of 3: Using Storytelling Techniques
Step 1. Tell a personal anecdote related to your topic
Choose an anecdote or short story that introduces your topic through interesting settings, scenes, and storytelling details. Guide readers to increase their engagement in your story! Make sure you choose a short and straightforward anecdote (approximately 2-4 sentences).
For example, you might write, "A few days ago at a supermarket, I heard a little boy ask his mother, 'Why don't we buy the one with marshmallows?', pointing to the box of cereal in front of him. She didn't even stop whining and demanding in the corner of the cereal shelf until her mother gave in and put a box of sugary cereal in their shopping cart. Looking at that scene, the only thing that came to my mind was how bad the diet of today's children is."
Step 2. Bring to life the statistics or facts you present in the text
Include facts or statistics that are relevant to your topic, and describe them in written form. Try to explore the perspective of the people referred to in the fact or statistic; also describe the sounds, emotions, and visuals captured by the characters in the story.
For example, you could bring up a fact about a drunk driver and write a short story like, “Still caught up in the euphoria of the party he just attended, the young driver smiled broadly as he turned up the volume of the radio in his car. Bottles of cold beer and whiskey still dominate his circulatory system. Suddenly, a huge tree appeared before him; his efforts to swerve as hard as he can do not bear fruit. Moments later, the police found him dead behind the wheel of driving under the influence of alcohol.”
Step 3. Take advantage of your emotional experience
If you're writing an opinion piece or personal essay, try to capture the reader's emotions by telling a life experience that was intense and had a big impact on your life. For example, you could focus your writing on a life experience as a child or on an emotional event in the past.
