Last week I contributed a guest post about writing conclusions to Quips and Tips for Successful Writers. Today Laurie shares her tips on writing introductions.

By Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

Your reader is not a penniless and weary traveler who will be happy to take any bed you can offer,” writes Brandi Reissenweber in the “The Art of the Start” chapter in The New Writer’s Handbook. “They are discerning, with plenty of money for a night’s sleep and if you show them something uninspired, they’re off to the next inn. You have to work to get them to stay with you.”

This is an effective introduction for several reasons: it addresses the audience directly with the word “you”, it focuses on what they’re interested in (most writers want to their readers to keep reading), and it contains an interesting metaphor (readers as travelers).

The most compelling introductions catch a reader’s eye and engage the imagination! Those introductions make sure the readers sticks with the story or article for the long haul…which is exactly what writers want.

Here are four more ways to write introductions that grab readers by the throat.

Share a shocking or intriguing fact. Here’s a shocking fact: “Eating your own brain may not seem very smart, but that’s how some organisms stay healthy. Scientists found that not only do certain single-cell organisms “eat” their damaged or aged parts, they also consume their own nucleus or brain if it’s diseased.” This could be the introduction of an article about foods that keep your brain healthy. Read on to see how it might be fleshed out…

Transition from shocking fact to the theme of the article. Here’s the last sentence of the above introduction: “Luckily, you don’t have to eat brains to keep your memory healthy and strong – you need only enjoy certain delicious foods!” When you start with a shocking fact or interesting quotation, make sure it flows smoothly into the article. The importance of transition cannot be underestimated.

Connect two things that don’t belong together. A paradox or puzzling phenomenon can keep your readers hooked. This tip – an introduction that contains two wildly opposing elements – requires a little creativity. Here’s an example of an interesting “marriage of opposites” from Sol Stein, in Stein on Writing. “Writers are troublemakers. A psychotherapist tries to relieve stress, strain, and pressure. Writers are not psychotherapists. Their job is to give readers stress, strain, and pressure.” Connecting writers with psychotherapists (or troublemakers) gives readers something new to gnaw on…and keeps them reading.

Highlight the most interesting part of your article or story. I usually hold off on writing my introduction until I’ve finished my research and interviews. I then cull that information for the best quotations from my sources, and I often begin my article or chapter with something they said. Sometimes, I’ll end the article with a quotation that refers to the introduction, which ties the whole thing up into a neat little package! For a quick list of tips for writing introductions, read 52 Ways to Write Great Leads.

They’re a fabulous way to prime the pump if you’re coming up dry. What are your thoughts on writing introductions – do you have specific ways you like to hook readers?

Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen is a full-time writer and blogger who created and maintains a series of Quips and Tips blogs: Quips and Tips for Successful Writers, Quips and Tips for Achieving Your Goals, and Quips and Tips for Couples Coping With Infertility. She’s also the Feature Writer for Psychology Suite101.