What is a good opening sentence?

A good opening sentence is the first step to captivating your readers and drawing them into your story. It should be memorable, unique, and make the reader want to learn more. Whether you’re writing a novel, an essay, or a blog post, the opening sentence can make or break your piece.

Start with the Chase

The best way to start your story is to start with the chase. A good hook might also be a question or a claim—anything that will elicit an emotional response from a reader. Think about it this way: a good opening sentence is the thing you don't think you can say, but you still want to say. Like, “This book will change your life.”

Create an Impact

When crafting your opening sentence, you want to create an impact. You want to make sure your readers know that something important is happening. You can do this by using powerful words, vivid imagery, and intriguing questions. You want to grab the reader’s attention and make them want to keep reading.

Make it Memorable

Your opening sentence should be memorable. It should be something that sticks with the reader and makes them think. It should be something that will stay with them long after they’ve finished reading. A good opening sentence should also set the tone for the rest of the piece.

Be Unique

Your opening sentence should be unique. It should stand out from the rest and make the reader take notice. You want to make sure your opening sentence is something that no one else has ever said before. You want to make sure it’s something that will make the reader think, “Wow, I’ve never heard that before.”

A good opening sentence is essential to captivating your readers and drawing them into your story. It should be memorable, unique, and make the reader want to learn more. Start with the chase, create an impact, make it memorable, and be unique. With the right opening sentence, you can set the tone for the rest of your piece and make sure your readers keep coming back for more.