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Clichés often contain an element of truth. Consider the well
worn phrase, "first impressions are lasting impressions." Don't we all
tend to judge a book by its cover, even though we know that we shouldn't?
You are certainly aware of how critical the first encounter is in
the development of a relationship. Getting off to a good start in any endeavor
helps to generate the momentum that leads to success. When my communication
falters at the beginning of a meeting, it is exceptionally difficult to
recover. Writing is a form of communication where immediately developing
the right kind of relationship is important. When you communicate with
others through the written word, your introductory paragraph is making
a first impression on your readers. The first sentence is especially important.
If your first sentence gets the reader's attention, leads into your topic,
and encourages them to read more, then your work will have the momentum
it needs to successfully inform, persuade, or entertain your readers.
Published authors can spend hours writing, revising, and polishing
their first sentence. Making a good first impression is that important.
The introductory paragraph is often written after everything else is done.
Authors wait, so they can draw upon all of their research and thinking
to create a powerful beginning.
Can we discover some of these published authors' secrets to good
opening sentences? I'll pull some non-fiction books from my book case,
and I'll copy the opening lines below. Read each sentence slowly. What
is your first impression? Do you want to read more? Do you suspect what
the topic is likely to be? Do you have a sense for the authors' attitude
toward their topic?
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The sort of man whom Americans admire, trust, and are willing to follow
can be sketched with a few lines. (Dixon Wecter)
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On the morning of December 7, 1951, in the General Sessions Court in
New York City, fourteen tall young men stood before Judge Saul S. Streit.
(Harold W. Stoke)
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One of the most beautiful and exhilarating storms I have ever enjoyed
in the Sierra occurred in December, 1874, when I happened to be exploring
one of the tributary valleys of the Yuba River. (John Muir)
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I suppose a man can't ask railroads to stand still. (E. B. White)
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The leaders of the movement trembled on seeing a tall, gaunt black woman
in a gray dress and white turban, surmounted with an uncouth sun-bonnet,
march deliberately into the church, walk with the air of a queen up the
aisle, and take her seat upon the pulpit steps. (Frances D. Gage)
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William Shakespeare winked at me. (Ronald K. Siegel)
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Watching the mauve shadows of dusk move across the sandstone cliffs,
the traveler felt suddenly weak. (Judith Hooper)
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In the past twenty years--and for the first time in human history--a
scientific discipline devoted to exploring how our minds work has emerged.
(Morton Hunt)
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A number of things, I think, are true. (Clifford Geertz)
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Reasoning, says Schopenhauer, is of feminine nature: it can give only
after it has received. (Rudolf Arnheim)
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Let's begin by saying that we are living through a very dangerous time.
(James Baldwin)
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To go from a job you don't like to watching a screen on which others
live more intensely that you...is American life, by and large. (Michael
Ventura)
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I live smack in the fissure between two worlds, in the infected wound:
half a block from the end of Western Civilization and four miles from the
start of the Mexican-American border, the northernmost point of Latin America
(Guillermo Gomez-Pena)
As I read these sentences, I was struck by how different the lines were.
The authors' style differed. Some authors were eloquent; others were direct.
The approaches that the authors used to generate interest varied. Controversy,
a prelude to a story, a personal experience, apparent nonsense, strong
claims, and colorful description were some of their techniques. There was
no formula. Maybe that was the point. Good opening lines need to be original.
I did notice, however, one thing these lines all seemed to have in common.
They raised questions in my mind. Who do American's trust? Why were fourteen
tall men in court? What things are true? What is dangerous about our times?
I wanted to read more because I was curious. I was looking for the answers.
Our jobs as authors is to make even dull subjects interesting. When
you write, try to be creative. Make a good first impression, then maintain
your reader's interest by keeping your writing lively. When you write a
paper for a class, remember that your professor is going to be reading
dozens, perhaps hundreds, of similar papers. Make your paper stand out.
Get off to a good start by generating interest in your work. Raise questions
in your readers' minds. Be creative. You will enjoy writing more, and reading
your work will be a pleasure.
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