As writers we're in a constant competition for the attention of
prospective readers. We're competing against a host of other visual and audial
messages, most of which are much flashier than mere words on a page. What you
have to say is important, but how do you get people to listen?
Unfortunately, often the only way to make someone do something is to make him want to do it. But making someone want to read your work is really not very difficult to do and all it takes is a great opening line.
Your title is an important eye-catcher, but whether your title is boring or interesting you still have to get the reader interested in what you're saying right at the outset or you will soon lose his attention. That's why the opening line is crucial. Its job is to make the reader want to know more.
Take this sentence:
It's the opening line of an article titled "Writer's Manifesto: Start a Writer Gang" from Cicada magazine.[i] It may not have the same effect on everyone, but it makes me want to read on and find out why the author felt like a writer when she hadn't published a book yet.
It's short and simple, but it drags you along after it. How? It uses one of the greatest attention-grabbers--irony: the unexpected. When Charles Dickens opens A Tale of Two Cities with the line,
he springs a surprise on his readers and makes them want to know how it can possibly be the best and worst of times at the same time. Irony takes a new and interesting view of a topic and makes your reader look at it in a different way.
Rule #1 is go for the unexpected.
Rule #2 is keep it short and simple.
Both examples above are short enough for someone to read without getting bored. Save the details for the following sentences.
Try this simple exercise. Pick a random topic (let's say you are writing an essay on staircases). Then write an opening sentence using each of the following techniques:
Irony:
Draw a Comparison:
Make a List:
Ask a Question:
Quote a Quotation, Saying, or Expression:
And check your favourite books for more ideas on great opening lines. If you have a good one (idea), share it by posting a comment.
[i] For the rest of the article, go here: http://www.cicadamag.com/thisissue/writers-manifesto-start-a-writer-gang
Unfortunately, often the only way to make someone do something is to make him want to do it. But making someone want to read your work is really not very difficult to do and all it takes is a great opening line.
Your title is an important eye-catcher, but whether your title is boring or interesting you still have to get the reader interested in what you're saying right at the outset or you will soon lose his attention. That's why the opening line is crucial. Its job is to make the reader want to know more.
Take this sentence:
"The time in my life when I felt most like a writer was before I had published a single book."
It's the opening line of an article titled "Writer's Manifesto: Start a Writer Gang" from Cicada magazine.[i] It may not have the same effect on everyone, but it makes me want to read on and find out why the author felt like a writer when she hadn't published a book yet.
It's short and simple, but it drags you along after it. How? It uses one of the greatest attention-grabbers--irony: the unexpected. When Charles Dickens opens A Tale of Two Cities with the line,
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times"
he springs a surprise on his readers and makes them want to know how it can possibly be the best and worst of times at the same time. Irony takes a new and interesting view of a topic and makes your reader look at it in a different way.
Rule #1 is go for the unexpected.
Rule #2 is keep it short and simple. Both examples above are short enough for someone to read without getting bored. Save the details for the following sentences.
Try this simple exercise. Pick a random topic (let's say you are writing an essay on staircases). Then write an opening sentence using each of the following techniques:
Irony:
"It seems an injustice that staircases, intended to be the means of elevating mankind, are so often also his downfall."
Draw a Comparison:
"I have always been fond of things that go up and down--like Ferris wheels and barber poles."
Make a List:
"There are many different types of staircases in the world: secret staircases, moving stairs, back stairs, front stairs, lighthouse staircases, even steps in a pool…"
Ask a Question:
"Why shouldn’t staircases be counted as rooms of a house?"
Quote a Quotation, Saying, or Expression:
"They say ‘whatever goes up must come down,’ but staircases do both at the same time."
And check your favourite books for more ideas on great opening lines. If you have a good one (idea), share it by posting a comment.
[i] For the rest of the article, go here: http://www.cicadamag.com/thisissue/writers-manifesto-start-a-writer-gang
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