UNIT 4 ---- Writing Powerful Introductions

     Writing Powerful Introductions

          When you write, what's the best way to begin? Many students start   with a simple sentence, such as "I will write about my hometown", or they use no special introduction at all. Here are six ways to write  better introductions.

            1) Write about a problem 
              Everybody has problems! Most of our energy each day is spent trying to solve problems. By starting your writing with a problem, you  automatically hook your readers into searching for a solution. Your  readers will start to think about how they might solve the problem   or wonder what solution you have in mind. But be careful not to take  too much time on the problem itself. This is an introduction, not    the body of your writing.

            2) Write about a story or start with a joke
              A very brief story or joke that illustrates your main idea can also hook the reader. Use clear details and vivid descriptions to appeal  to your readers' senses and emotions. For example, if you want your  readers to give up smoking, describe the painful effects of an  elderly person who is unable to stop coughing, unable to breathe  freely. If you are writing about an interesting place, describe what  the readers would see, what they would hear, what they would taste,  so that they can almost feel they are there. A joke, if it really   fits the topic, can also make your readers more receptive to your  ideas.

            3) Start with a question 
              This is one of the easiest ways to begin writing. However, be  careful not to use questions that are too simple. If everyone   already knows the answer, they will not be interested in what you  write next. Remember, you have to make them think! "Do you like to  eat?" is not very interesting. However, "Have you ever spent more  than $100 dollars on one meal?" will make your readers start  dreaming!

            4) Write a bold statement or use an interesting statistic
              If you begin with something like, "In the United States, fift  percent of all marriages end in divorce!", your readers will want to know your point of view on this topic. You can look up statistics on  the Internet for just about any topic, so go to it!

            5) Start with a quote from an important person 
              This kind of introduction has two advantages. As with the other  ways, it gets your readers to think about what you will say next. In  addition, the words of important people have the ability to persuade many people. "If Bill Gates said it, it's probably true", many  people will think.

            6) Write about necessary background information 
             This is not a very interesting way to begin, but sometimes it's  necessary to help your readers before you begin. Some topics will be  too difficult for readers to follow without some help, so you may  have to provide basic information first. If possible, try to write  about this information using one of the five opening techniques above.