how to write an introduction for a creative story

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

FreelanceWriting

Established Since 1997

Freelance Writing Jobs

Writing contests, make money writing, hottest topics, how to write juicy short-story introductions.

The introduction for a short story should always be juicy…

It should give the reader enough incentive to go on. Oftentimes, the reader asks herself “What is in it for me?”

It is your job, as the writer, to answer that question. Whether or not she will proceed with reading your story depends on how well you answer that question.

The awful truth is that no matter how fabulous your story is, if your introduction is lame, your readers won’t go further than the first few paragraphs. So it is definitely something you should not overlook.

A juicy introduction is one that…

• captivates the mind of the reader.
• promises a lot of good things.
• witty, yes, but not too complex.

Check out the following introductory paragraph of a story:

Once upon a time, there lived a little boy whose name was Bill. He lived in a town called Happy Town. The town was full of happy people. His family was also a happy one. Their home was warm, cosy and happy. The school he went to was called Happy Days Primary School.

After reading this paragraph, how much enthusiasm do you have to go on reading? The very first sentence almost bored me to tears. “Once upon a time” used to be a very cool phrase in the past, but let’s get real-it has become a mere cliche nowadays, and hardly anyone uses it anymore, unless, of course, you are into writing stories for very young children…

The phrase “Once upon a time” also suggests that what follows is extremely fictitious and quite off from reality. Modern short story writing has become more and more about realism and about the oft unresolved problems that face humanity. So if you write about issues that affect people-day to day issues that they wrestle with, I reckon that they will be more inclined to read…

True, fairy tales have their own allure, but life is anything but a fairy tale nowadays and unless someone is in the mood, they will just yawn and close the book. But if you promise something that is a bit more realistic, someone may read a few more paragraphs, or sentences.

A juicy introduction screams “read more!!!” and it is so subtly alluring that the reader will find herself reading more without even realizing it. If someone has to labour on to read your story, it is not good. They have all the reason to toss it aside and pick up their TV remotes. In today’s hectic world, people are usually busy or tired, so why make it harder for them by using unnecessarily big words or complex language? Furthermore, with time becoming ever so precious, you must convince your readers that your story is worth reading and won’t be a waste of their time. And you must do that in your first few sentences.

By all means, lay off the cliches and trite phrases. They will not win the reader’s interest. Try witty expressions that leave readers hungering for more. Cleverly constructed sentences and phrases are hypnotizing and people easily fall in love with them. How easy is it to hypnotize the reader with “Once upon a time?” unless you use real magic, maybe…

So let us juice things up a bit on our paragraph. Let’s kick out the proverbial “Once upon a time.”(Sorry if you have fallen in love with it, but it has to go…):

Bill Happy was a happy kid-a very happy kid indeed….

The question that is ringing in your head is probably: “What the heck was he so happy about?” So your automatic reaction will be to read the next sentence and find out. You get the secret now, don’t you? Leave the reader hungering and thirsting for more; don’t give out everything at once. Consider the introduction as the desert-whets people’s appetite for the main meal, which in this case is the body of the story.

Now the paragraph get’s even more interesting:

He had everything a kid his age would want-a wonderful, loving family; good friends; and he went to a happy little school called Happy Days Primary School. He lived in a happy town full of happy people. The neighbourhood he lived in was happy and peaceful. But above all, his home was happy and cosy.

At this point the reader is exclaiming: “Come on, there is no place on earth were people are so happy!” Ah, she is probably right, but hey, you aroused her interest. She really wants to know why these guys are so happy and so she reads on. And, wait for it…

Bingo! Your story is read!

Remember your most powerful weapon-the first sentence. Notice the following introductory sentences in LJ Kundananji’s stories:

“She was everything that I dreamt of-everything.” -Lost Dream

“Esnart and I had decided to rendezvous at the end of the corridor-the high way.” -She stood waiting

“When he left, he left without saying goodbye-or at least not in the manner he should have.”-Forgotten.

“There were five girls crowded in the little room.”- Girl Power

“Lewis hurled a stone into the Gomer Lakes.”- Can’t Live Without you

To read these and more of LJ Kundananji’s stories, visit http://www.writing-lovers.com

All the above introductory sentences have one thing in common: they arouse curiosity. Who was she that was everything he dreamt of? For what purpose had they agreed to rendezvous? Why is this guy regretting not having said goodbye? Why are these five girls crowded in the little room? For what reason is Lewis hurling a stone into the Gomer lakes?

The only way that the reader can find out is to read more. By all means arouse curiosity, and more curiosity…

Do you see how powerful an introduction is? Do you? Good…then you are on your way to writing juicy introductions. If you do that, more people will read your stories, no matter how boring they are!!!

Related Articles

Top 10 Tips to Market Your Writing Services via Facebook

If you're seeking free exposure and potentially unlimited traffic on the web, then turn to social sites like Facebook. Find out how inside.

Top 10 Tips to Generate Repeat Clients and Writing Assignments

Strong relationships with clients tends to create long-term work and repeat jobs from the same clients. Here's how you create those relationships.

Starting a Telecommute Medical Billing Career

Medical billing coders are highly needed in the industry. Find out how you can join in and do this kind of freelance work.

Freelance Writing - A Medium to Generate Income

There are many freelance writers writing for various newspapers, magazines and other editorials. One can really make a sound income

Submit New Contest

You can pick more than one

How can people enter your contest? Choose the best option.

Thanks for your submission!

FreelanceWriting.com hosts some of the most talented freelance writers on the web, so you’ve come to the right place to find contestants. We are proud to post your contest here, free of charge. Please come back and submit a new contest anytime!

Submit New Job

Choose the best option.

We only accept jobs that pay. When posting a job ad, you MUST include a salary, payment terms, or rate, otherwise we will reject your ad.

If you want make a change or wish to remove your job ad in the future, please email [email protected]

We strive to be the best source of freelance writing jobs on the web, and we maintain our quality thanks to employers like you. Please continue to submit jobs early and often!

How to Write the Introduction in a Story: 5 Tips & Examples

Key Takeaways:

The introduction of a story is that “set the scene” moment where you get a feel for the world and its characters. It’s the initial setup that gives readers or viewers a glimpse into the setting, mood, and potential conflicts to come.

• Start with a dynamic or surprising scene to grab attention.
• Ensure the story maintains the energy of the opening.
• Introduce the main characters and setting early on.
• Hint at the upcoming conflict and the protagonist’s challenge.
• Balance the introduction’s details without overwhelming readers.
• Keep the overall narrative arc in mind while perfecting the beginning.

Click to go straight to the best story introduction examples in books and films!

When you’re reading a short story , novel , or screenplay , the introduction is one of the most important parts. It’s where the author introduces the characters and sets up the narrative .

The introduction is also very important when you are writing a story – it’s your chance to hook your readers from the first sentence and make them want to keep reading.

I love working on the introduction to a story, as it’s my way of revealing the world-building in a dynamic and exciting way through the characters . It’s my chance to show their world before it upends to propel them on their journey.

Whether it’s a period setting full of gunpowder and mystery, as in Iron Dogs , or a taste of aliens in the midst of our otherwise normal world, as in Terra Alpha One , the possibilities are endless. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about story introductions, it’s that they’re limited only by our imaginations.

In this article, we will discuss what makes for a great introduction and give examples from famous books and movies!

Prefer to watch rather than read? Here’s my YouTube video on the topic of Story Introductions:

What Is The Introduction of a Story?

The introduction is the beginning of the story, which, as the name suggests, introduces the characters, setting, and plot. It should clearly depict the time period, genre, and the main character’s normal world in general.

It is also where you hook the reader in so they’ll want to read on. There are many ways to do this, such as starting with an exciting action scene, a vivid description of the setting, or a creative description of a character’s personality through a deed.

An effective beginning should also hint at what will happen in the story so that the audience knows what to expect. It is generally shorter than the other parts of the story, such as the rising action and resolution. Authors should put their best writing into the introduction to ensure that the audience is hooked!

How to Write The Introduction of A Story

It’s no secret that first impressions are important. The same is true of stories. It is essential to start a story with a strong opening to hook readers and make them want to keep reading. But how exactly do you write a memorable first paragraph, first scene, or first line?

• Start Strong: One option for an introduction is to begin your story with a bang! This could be an action-packed scene or a shocking revelation. This kind of opening focuses on grabbing the reader’s attention right from the start.
• Maintain Consistency: If you start with a high-energy opening, ensure the rest of your story matches that intensity. You don’t want to set high expectations and then disappoint your readers.
• Slow and Steady: Not every story needs a dramatic start. Sometimes, it can be a good idea to begin with a calm scene and gradually build tension, drawing readers deeper into the narrative.
• Introduce Key Elements: Right from the beginning, familiarize your readers with the main characters and the setting. Avoid confusion by clearly establishing the who, where, and when of your story.
• Tease, Don’t Overwhelm: Give readers a hint of the conflict to come, but don’t give away too much. This also means showing your hero’s fatal flaw. The goal is to pique the reader’s curiosity without bombarding them with information.
• Remember the Bigger Picture: While the introduction is crucial, it’s just one piece of your story. Perfect it, but also remember to focus on the overall narrative arc.

Story Introduction Summary

1. Introduce the characters and setting 2. Establish the conflict 3. Set up the stakes 4. Pose a question or problem for the reader to think about Whichever approach you choose, just remember that the first few paragraphs of your story are crucial for making a good impression on your audience. So take your time and make them count!

Don’t forget to use the best book-writing software or screenwriting software programs to write and format the introduction of your book or screenplay!

You can even use artificial intelligence (AI) story-writing software to help you get over writer’s block and come up with plot points, dialogue, and character development!

The Role of the Introduction in Story Structure

The beginning of a story is called the introduction, which should be like a first impression. It should be brief and to the point, introduce the reader to the main character(s) and setting , and hint at what is to come.

In many ways, it is the most essential part of the story. The introduction sets the stage for everything that follows and, if done well, will leave the reader wanting more.

Freytag’s Pyramid

Freytag’s Pyramid is a dramatic structure that writers have used for centuries. It is named after German writer Gustav Freytag, who first described it in his 1852 book Technique of the Drama .

The pyramid is divided into five sections: exposition (introduction), rising action , climax , falling action , and resolution .

The exposition (or introduction) is the first section of the plot structure pyramid, in which the story’s conflict is set up, and the story begins.

While similar to the three-act structure outlined by Plato in Poetics , there are marked differences between the 3-act plot structure diagram and Freytag’s Pyramid, particularly in terms of the length of rising action, the point of occurrence of the climax, and the length of falling action (as illustrated in the diagrams above).

The Exposition is the introduction of the story—the characters, setting, and fundamental conflict are established here.

Rising Action is when the story starts to pick up speed, and tension begins to build.

Climax is the point of most significant tension in the story—this is typically when the protagonist confronts the antagonist.

Falling Action is when things start to wrap up—the tension starts to dissipate, and we see events leading to the resolution of the conflict.

Dénouement is the resolution of the story—all loose ends are tied up, and we see the aftermath of the events that took place.

In addition, in a classical three-act structure, the resolution is not merely the very end of the story, as Freytag indicates, but the entirety of the third act, which includes the climax, falling action, and ending.

The Importance of the Introduction

The introduction of a story is essential for several reasons. First, it sets the stage for the rest of the story. It introduces the characters, setting, and central conflict and gives the audience an idea of what to expect.

Second, the story set-up establishes the narrative’s genre, tone, mood, and theme. It can be futuristic sci-fi or a period drama. It can be light and playful or dark and foreboding.

Third, the introduction gives the reader a taste of the writing style that will be used throughout the story. Is it formal or informal? Descriptive or spare? The author can keep the reader engaged throughout the story by hooking the reader with an intriguing opening.

What Happens After the Introduction in a Story?

After the introduction, the story typically starts to unfold following the inciting incident and the protagonist’s decision to proceed on their quest. This is where the character development occurs and the narrative takes shape.

The middle of the story is generally when things start to get exciting, as the conflict begins to build and the stakes become higher , with multiple obstacles and surprises. This is also where readers start to get to know the characters and their true motivations. The climax is typically the most suspenseful part of the story, as all of the tension comes to a head.

After the climax, there is usually a resolution of some kind, whether it’s a happy or tragic ending. And finally, there is often a brief epilogue that ties up any loose ends and provides closure for the reader.

So what happens after the intro to a story? Well, it all depends on the type of story being told! But in general, this is where things start to get interesting!

RELATED: Check out my thoughts on why low stakes are killing modern Hollywood!

Can I Skip an Introduction in My Story?

Without an introduction, your reader will likely be confused about the events in your story. Think of it this way – if you were thrown into the middle of a movie without any context, you would have difficulty understanding what was happening. The same is true for any story, regardless of the medium in which it is told.

An effective beginning provides the reader with essential information about the story’s characters, setting, and conflict. It also helps to establish the piece’s genre, tone, and mood. By skipping the introduction, you are depriving your audience of important information they need to follow along with your story and connect with your characters.

How to Write an Introduction for a Subplot

Many elements must come together when writing a great story to create a cohesive narrative. One of the most essential elements is the subplot. A subplot is a secondary storyline that runs parallel to the main plot and helps to develop the characters and world further.

While the main plot is usually the story’s driving force, the subplot can add depth and dimension, making the story more well-rounded and enjoyable. So, how do you create a compelling beginning of a subplot?

There are a few things to keep in mind when introducing a subplot. First, ensure that the subplot is relevant to the main plot. It should add something new and essential to the story rather than feeling like filler material.

Second, you want to introduce the subplot in an organic and interesting way. Don’t just throw it in randomly; take your time and find a natural place in the story. Typically, subplots are introduced at the start of Act 2 or the rising action section of the story.

Finally, don’t forget to conclude the subplot once it has served its purpose. A well-written subplot enhances your story and adds to the main plot and character development.

Examples of an Introduction in Literature and Film

A good introduction should make clear the subject matter of the work to follow, whether it be a book, story, film, or another form of media. It should also introduce the key players involved and set the scene for what is to come.

There are many ways to achieve this, but a few examples from literature and film stand out.

Example 1: The Catcher in the Rye

In the novel, The Catcher in the Rye , J.D. Salinger tells the story of Holden Caulfield, a teenager who is kicked out of a prestigious boarding school and becomes a wanderer in New York City. The book opens with Holden’s thoughts on his life and his current situation. He is critical of almost everything and everyone, but he is especially hard on himself.

Despite his negative outlook, Holden is funny, intelligent, and sympathetic. He is also incredibly honest, making him someone readers can immediately relate to and root for.

The Catcher in the Rye is an example of a good story setup because it gives readers a clear sense of Holden’s character and his voice (as well as the writer’s voice and tone of the novel). Additionally, it sets up the conflict that will drive the rest of the novel.

Example 2: Amélie

In the film Amélie , we are introduced to the title character as she narrates her whimsical yet tragic life story over images of Paris.

We learn about her unique perspective on the world, which begins with a solitary life where imagination is her only escape, to a decision to become more active in the world around her and bring happiness to others. This helps us to understand her actions throughout the film and connect with her on a more personal level.

Example 3: The Godfather

In the film’s opening scene, The Godfather , Don Corleone listens to requests before his daughter’s wedding.

The contrast between the corrupt backroom deals and the joyous occasion of a wedding creates a powerful effect that immediately draws us into the story. It also gives us a sense of the rules of this criminal world and the code of honor by which Don Corleone lives.

This is an excellent example of how an opening scene can set the stage for an engaging and captivating film.

These are just a few examples of how the beginning of a novel or movie can give us a glimpse into what is to come.

Common Questions (FAQs)

What does a story introduction need.

A story introduction needs a hook to grab the reader’s attention, background information on the story’s fictional world and characters, and a hint of the conflict to come. The best introductions are short and snappy, so don’t get too bogged down in details. However, you also don’t want to give too much away, or the audience will lose interest. Think of the introduction as a teaser for what’s to come – it should whet the appetite without spoiling the main course.

Do stories have an introduction?

Stories usually have an introduction that offers background on the setting, characters, and plot, often with a hook to grab readers’ attention. However, some authors opt for an “in medias res” start, diving straight into a dramatic scene. The choice of having an introduction varies by author, with some preferring immediate action and others setting the context first.

How do I write a short story introduction?

When kicking off a short story, think of it like setting the stage for a play. Dive right in, maybe with a burst of action, a snippet of dialogue, or a peek into your character’s mind. Remember, you don’t have a lot of time, so get to the heart of the conflict fast. And most importantly? Write a hook that makes readers think, “I’ve got to know what happens next!”

Final Thoughts

To write a great fiction story, you must start with a strong introduction. This section introduces your story’s characters, setting, and plot and hooks the audience so they will want to keep reading.

It’s essential to make sure your introduction is well-written so that readers are drawn in and invested in your story!

Love learning about great storytelling? Check out these helpful articles!

Protagonist and Antagonist: How Are They Different?

What is Pacing in a Story? Tips for Story Pacing for Writers

Examples of Themes in Books and Literature: Definition & Types

Filmmaker, Author, Actor and Story Consultant

Neil Chase is an award-winning, produced screenwriter, independent filmmaker, professional actor, and author of the horror-western novel Iron Dogs. His latest feature film is an apocalyptic thriller called Spin The Wheel.

Neil has been featured on Celtx, No Film School, Script Revolution, Raindance, The Write Practice, Lifewire, and MSN.com, and his work has won awards from Script Summit, ScreamFest, FilmQuest and Cinequest (among others).

Neil believes that all writers have the potential to create great work. His passion is helping writers find their voice and develop their skills so that they can create stories that are entertaining and meaningful. If you’re ready to take your writing to the next level, he's here to help!

Similar Posts

Writing Internal And External Conflict In Stories [With 4+ Examples]

Dune Part 2 Review: What Worked and What Didn’t?

The Everyman Archetype [In-Depth Guide With 7+ Examples!]

How to Write a Montage in a Script: The Ultimate Guide

What Is Conflict in A Story? [Definition, Types, and Examples]

What is The Resolution in a Story? [& How Do You Write One?]

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Compelling Introductions

Table of contents

I’ve been complimented for every single one of my introductions this month. Whether they were intros for blogs, case studies, or whitepapers—they all followed a compelling narrative.

But my introductions from ten months ago had to be heavily reworked by my editors, and often completely rewritten.

So what changed in this time?

I started following a structured approach to writing intros—the Thesis-Antithesis-Synthesis model, also known as the Hegelian dialectic (more on this soon). 

In this guide to introductions, I’ll show you how to create a compelling introduction, no matter what your argument. I’ll explain each step with multiple examples that I’ve developed and sourced on my journey to improve introductions. By the end of this guide, there you’ll be itching to write your next introduction. 

AI introduction generator > AI introduction generator >

Let’s start at the very beginning. 

Characteristics of a good introduction

When you write logically, you make it easy for your audience to continue reading without zoning out. Logic connects the dots for your readers and keeps them from making assumptions. It also ensures they conclude what you want them to. 

2. Persuasiveness

Your introduction should compel the reader to keep reading. If your writing is not persuasive, you’ll lose your reader early on, and your brilliantly devised arguments will have no audience. 

Context is vital to set the stage for the arguments you will present in the rest of your writing. Without context, your reader might not know where your story fits into the larger scheme. 

Most frameworks for writing introductions only guarantee one of these elements. Hegel’s dialectic guarantees all three. 

Who is Hegel, and why should you care about his dialectic?

Georg Hegel was a German philosopher who challenged a 2000-year-old concept of logic developed by Aristotle. The reigning model was deductive reasoning—which is still used in criminal investigations and law practice. 

But Hegel’s model, Thesis Antithesis Synthesis (TAS), was more potent because it resolves previous arguments as it presents the next. 

Let’s look at how it works. 

The thesis makes a claim. 

For example, ‘People now know the earth to be spherical.’

The antithesis introduces an objection to the thesis.

“But this wasn’t always the case. In fact, in the 5th century, 1200 people were prosecuted for making the case for a spherical earth. Contradicting our planet’s flatness was considered blasphemy.”

The synthesis creates a new thesis that resolves the objection posed by the antithesis. 

“Until one day, a scientist named Pythagoras risked being stoned to death to prove the earth was round. 

Hegel’s dialectic can seem complicated when you first analyze it. “But how will I come up with objections to my statement?”, “what if there isn’t a widely accepted claim about the story I’m telling?, “what if I’m writing on a boring topic and can’t use TAS to make a compelling argument?” — all of these are questions I’ve had while experimenting with Hegel’s model. 

So can you use this framework to write every single intro for the rest of your life?

Short answer: yes. And I’ll show you how. 

How to use the Hegelian Dialectic 

There are three things you’ll need to apply Hegel’s Dialectic to your intros:

• Conceptual understanding 
• Thorough research
• Good note-taking skills 

Let me explain. 

You must thoroughly understand your topic to execute an argument in the fewest possible words. To do this, you need to either research well or be a subject matter expert. 

Finally, you need good note-taking skills to dissect existing information in an argument and restructure it to fit Hegel’s model. 

Simply put, you need to break down every information cluster and put it together more compellingly. 

Let’s do this step by-step with large chunks of information.

Step 1: Separate your information into ‘Claims’ and ‘Objections’. 

Let's do this for a Wikipedia article on The Bermuda Triangle

“ The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil's Triangle, is an urban legend focused on a loosely-defined region in the western part of the North Atlantic Ocean where a number of aircraft and ships are said to have disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The idea of the area as uniquely prone to disappearances arose in the mid-20th century, but most reputable sources dismiss the idea that there is any mystery.” 

Note: to easily identify objections, look for statements that start with ‘but’, however’, or ‘interestingly’. 

Step 2: Keep only the interesting claims and see how they might be interconnected. 

Get rid of fluff. 

“ The Bermuda Triangle is an urban legend focused on the North Atlantic Ocean. Several aircraft and ships are said to have disappeared here under mysterious circumstances.” 

Note: your choice of ‘interesting claims’ will depend on the audience and purpose of your article. For example, Claim 2, “ The Bermuda Triangle is focused in a region in the western part of the North Atlantic Ocean” might be important for an audience of geographers but unnecessary for a general audience. 

Step 3: Introduce the objection immediately after the claim.

“ The Bermuda Triangle is an urban legend focused on the North Atlantic Ocean. A number of aircraft and ships are said to have disappeared here under mysterious circumstances. But most reputable sources dismiss the idea that there is any mystery.”

By this point we have already generated intrigue. 

Step 4: Leverage the intrigue into a hook for the rest of the article. 

“ The Bermuda Triangle is an urban legend focused on the North Atlantic Ocean. Several aircraft and ships are said to have disappeared here under mysterious circumstances. But most reputable sources dismiss the idea that there is any mystery.

However, people continue to disappear without a reasonable explanation and that left us curious. 

So we talked to 30 scientists who’ve worked in the region, and here’s what they say.”

Once you start practicing TAS for all content you come across, you’ll find it increasingly easier to construct sound arguments that build narratives—even when you have to write on a dull topic. 

Think I’m exaggerating? 

Let’s try this for a snippet with relatively boring information about the spice cardamom. 

Here’s the Britannica entry: 

“Cardamom, also spelled cardamon,  is a spice consisting of whole or ground dried fruits, or seeds, of Elettaria cardamomum, a herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). The seeds have a warm, slightly pungent, and highly aromatic flavor somewhat reminiscent of camphor. They are a popular seasoning in South Asian dishes, particularly curries, and in Scandinavian pastries.

At first glance, this snippet does not contain an objection statement. There are no statements starting with ‘but’, ‘however’, or even ‘interestingly’. To be able to create a Hegelian argument from this, we need to spot contradictory ideas. 

This is often much harder to do. Here’s what I did:

I read this snippet again and noticed that cardamom is a common ingredient for both curries and Scandinavian desserts. But one of these dishes (curry) is extremely spicy, and the other(dessert) is sweet. This tells me that cardamom is a versatile spice, and there must be a history to how it came to be used in drastically opposite recipes—this gives me both an objection and a hook . 

Let’s build our table:

Let’s piece this into an introduction using our four-step framework. 

“Cardamom is a spice of dried fruits or seeds with a warm, pungent, and highly aromatic flavor. People in equatorial South Asian countries use cardamom to make spicy curries like Chicken Korma, Changezi Chicken, and Butter Chicken. 

But halfway across the globe in Scandinavia, Cardamom is used in sweet desserts. 

How did Cardamom travel to Scandinavia from South Asia and become a key ingredient for both sweet and spicy recipes?

Read on to find out.”

Now, not every snippet of information will fall into claims and objections. Some are more intricately woven and far more complex. 

Let’s look at how we can still develop them into a compelling argument. 

A twist on the standard Hegelian Dialectic

Let’s look at this snippet on Terrorism from Yuval Noah Harari’s Homo Deus:

“Terrorists are like a fly that tries to destroy a china shop. The fly is so weak that it cannot budge

even a single teacup. So it finds a bull, gets inside its ear and starts buzzing. The bull goes wild with

fear and anger, and destroys the china shop. 

This is what happened in the Middle East in the last decade. Islamic fundamentalists could never have toppled Saddam Hussein by themselves. Instead they enraged the USA by the 9/11 attacks, and the USA destroyed the Middle Eastern china shop for them. Now they flourish in the wreckage. 

By themselves, terrorists are too weak to drag us back to the Middle Ages and re-establish the Jungle Law. They may provoke us, but in the end, it all depends on our reactions. If the Jungle Law comes back into force, it will not be the fault of terrorists.” 

If I had to turn this into an introduction, here’s how I would structure it.  

Thesis: It wasn’t the US government that toppled Saddam Hussien–it was Islamic fundamentalists.  ‍ Antithesis : But how could a remote, technologically deprived community take down a powerful ruler like Saddam Hussien?  ‍ Synthesis : By enraging the US government. Like a fly that enters a bull’s ear to enrage it and wreck havoc, islamic fundamentalists used the United State’s military forces to decimate the Middle East. 

By themselves, terrorists are too weak to drag us back to the Middle Ages and re-establish the Jungle Law. They may provoke us, but in the end, it all depends on our reactions. If the Jungle Law comes back into force, it will not be the fault of terrorists.

The key is to identify the point of tension or pivot from the larger claim, no matter how complex the argument. Once you do this, you can build both your thesis and synthesis around the contradiction.

To strengthen your conceptual understanding of TAS, let’s look at some examples of how TAS can be used to sell products. 

Examples of the Hegelian Dialectic

Each of these examples explores an expertly used method to build an argument. Pick whichever one works for your product, purpose, and audience. 

Example 1: Adding context to a factual statement 

Sample problem: convince readers to sign up for a Twitter ecommerce Platform. 

Thesis: “Since Twitter is about building relationships—brands that offer the right products to their niche communities will attract engaged crowds.” Antithesis: But Twitter’s ecommerce features are new and few. And they don’t come with community-focused tools. Synthesis: To close the gap for our readers, we came up with 6 creative ways you use Twitter ecommerce features to build community and sell products.

I’ve opened this intro with a widely accepted fact about Twitter—that the platform encourages brands with strong communities. I’ve used the antithesis to introduce the service offering (Twitter ecommerce) and highlighted the problem with the offer as it stands (no community-focused tools) . The new synthesis tells the reader they can leverage the power of the platform even without the community-focused tools by reading our blog. 

This persuades the reader to read on. 

To make a compelling thesis, you don’t even have to start with a true statement. You can also start with:

• Desirable scenarios
• Common beliefs
• A shocking piece of news/data 

Let’s see how: 

Example 2: Building desire with a hypothetical scenario

Sample problem: convince readers to try a software for managing deals.

Thesis : “In an ideal world, closing deals would be a two-step process. You would talk to a prospect and send across a contract that would come back signed. Viola! Deal closed.  Antithesis: “In reality, there are seven stages in the sales process.” Synthesis: “Good news: with effective deal management, you can bring your sales process very close to the 2-step process.”

I’ve started this introduction with a scenario my readers desire. Then I’ve introduced why the desirable situation is not common or realistic. Finally, I tell my readers that the common situation can be converted to the hypothetical one by trying out our solution. 

Example 3: Challenging a common belief

To build an antithesis to a common belief you can agree with the belief while introducing a new angle. Or you can contradict the belief with new evidence. Here’s what each of them looks like:

1. Agreeing with the belief: 

Thesis : You probably think that you know why dinosaurs disappeared. The popular theory is that 66 million years ago, a giant asteroid crashed into the surface of the earth and wiped off all life, including the mighty dinosaur.  ‍ Antithesis: But this story has another layer: the meteor was not a random cosmic phenomenon. 

It followed a cyclic and predictable pattern. One that’s going to repeat in 2044. 

Will humans go extinct in 2044?

Synthesis: Read on to find out what scientists know about the asteroid that might wipe out humanity—like it did dinosaurs. 

2. Contradicting the belief

Thesis: You probably think that you know why dinosaurs disappeared. The popular theory is that 66 million years ago, a giant asteroid crashed into the surface of the earth and wiped off all life, including the mighty dinosaur.  Antithesis: But you’d be wrong.

Recently discovered fossils tell us that mass extinction was caused by a violent volcanic eruption. 

One that might happen again. And once again, wipe out all life on earth. 

Synthesis: What does the ancient eruption tell us about the one predicted for 2044? Read on to find out. 

Example 4: Introducing a shocking piece of data 

Thesis: Company X made 20 types of water bottles in 2000.  19 of them not only didn’t sell but had to be discarded with hefty environmental fines. Antithesis: But one brought in $10 million dollars in 2 years for this tiny, 3-person brand.  Synthesis: So, what did that one bottle do?

Example 5: Enraging the reader with an accusation 

Thesis: If you’re having a sales call just once, you’re already failing at sales.  All of that data on customer pain points, competitor tactics, and product problems—uttered once and then gone with the wind. Those were the things your company needed to retain its best customers. Antithesis: But with so many things vying for your attention during the sales call, how do you find the time to take helpful notes? Synthesis: Enter: [Brand]’s automated note-taker. You focus on the call, it focuses on the notes.

Variations of the Hegelian Dialectic

Did you know a number of popular copywriting formulas follow Hegel’s Dialectic?

The “Problem-Agitate-Solution” and the “And-Therefore-But ” framework are two examples. 

Even though you can start from scratch every time you write an intro, these formulas might save you time. 

In this section, I’ll also explain where and when you can use these popular frameworks

1. Problem Agitate Solution (PAS) Framework:

You start by introducing a problem. Then you agitate the reader by highlighting specific details of the problem. Finally, you conclude with a solution that leaves the reader reassured. (If you’re using PAS to sell something, the solution is where you would introduce your product. 

Here’s an example:

Problem: Installing a new software can often feel like climbing a ladder in the dark—you know there’s a next step, but not where it is.

Agitate: You make yourself sit through demo videos, fumble around with buttons, and attempt to understand the interface—only to give up in exasperation. To make matters worse, email reminders keep popping up to tell you how you’ve failed at this simple task. 

Solution: There’s a way to make it go away. XYZ’s software installer takes away the pain of setting up a new software. Its automatic integration does the grunt work for you. 

In essence, the problem and agitate statements are an aggravated thesis. The antithesis is implied. In this case it’s the assumption that there is no way to install software without the grueling grunt work. The synthesis tells us there is a way to avoid the grunt work by using XYZ software. 

‍ When to use PAS: Advertisement copy, introductions, short video scripts. 

Note: PAS is not limited to these formats but I’ve personally found myself agitated to the point of annoyance when either the ‘agitate’ or the ‘solution’ segment is dragged out for long form copy. 

2. And, But, Therefore (ABT) Framework:

The ‘And’ statement makes two, interconnected powerful claims. The ‘But’ statement introduces a problem with the claim. “Therefore” statement introduces a new claim that resolves the problem. 

And : New dinosaur fossils are discovered every two years and they’ve added to our understanding of life from 66 million years ago. 

‍ But: But the evidence from the last five years has been increasingly contradictory. Fossils of some regions tell us that an asteroid wiped out the species, but other fossils indicate a violent volcano. 

Therefore: To understand the truth of the matter, we’ve invited 12 paleontologists to our show to answer our burning questions (pun intended.)

The ABT framework is a variation on Hegel’s Dialectic because the introductory claims are layered. Usually, the first claim is the big picture and the second one is a finer detail. The rest of the structure mimics Hegel’s Dialectic. 

When to use ABT: Medium-length blogs, short landing pages, and short to medium video scripts. 

Note: ABT can be used for longer-form writing than PAS because it builds lesser tension. There is no segment that intentionally aggravates the reader, so there is more room to build an argument. 

Now that we’ve looked at how to construct compelling arguments using the Thesis Antithesis Synthesis model, let’s look at tried and tested ways to add more oomph to your introductions. 

Pro tips for leveling up your introductions 

These are ideas and strategies I’ve collected over the years and they’ve worked for me every time. 

1. Start with a story 

Use the Thesis-Antithesis-Synthesis model to tell a compelling brand story. 

Here’s an example from a blog on Unique Selling Propositions. 

“Rolls Royce went from selling 10,000 to 40,000 cars in one year in 1957—a 400% uptick in sales with just one uptick in marketing—a unique selling proposition (USP). 

The USP was simple—it was a fast, quiet car. The statement read: ‘At 60 miles an hour, the loudest noise in the new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock’. 

But what made this USP powerful enough to bring in 400 million dollars in sales?

‍ Memorable, defensible, and customer-centric positioning.” 

Measurable results add an extra layer to this example. When people see a numerical transition, they are more likely to believe your story. 

2. Add verifiable proof 

Proof can be a testimonial, results from your dashboard, or even a statistic. Social proof helps your readers trust you and believe in your story. 

Here’s an example of how I have used a Google result to back up what I was saying with my content:

“ My blog on Twitter Ecommerce for Sprout Social, is now the featured snippet!

Beating both TechCrunch and HubSpot—which had no.1 and no.2 slots for over a year!

How did I do this?

‍ A step-by-step guide to outranking competitors while creating value. 

Because I have proof, readers are more likely to read my guide. 

3. Introduce a pain point 

When you start your writing with a popular pain point it tells your readers you understand them. As a result, they’re more likely to continue reading. 

Here’s an example of how starting with a pain point attracts a wide audience. 

Here’s an example that combines a pain point with proof:

Once you add these expert tips to your TAS toolkit, you’ll never write a boring intro again. 

How to get past the creative block

While TAS provides a tried and tested framework to work (and rework) your introductions to perfection, it requires tremendous creativity. It’s hard to nail TAS even after multiple tries. 

A mock debate helps me when I’m facing a creative block with introductions. Ideally, I try to get a friend to participate as the opponent. But I often have debates with myself where I ferociously defend each side. 

As a result, I can distinguish superficial arguments from meritorious ones.

Share This Article:

The Official Wordtune Guide

An Expert Guide to Writing Effective Compound Sentences (+ Examples)

A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Stellar Literature Review (with Help from AI)

Looking for fresh content, thank you your submission has been received.

• AI Content Shield
• AI KW Research
• AI Assistant
• SEO Optimizer
• AI KW Clustering
• Customer reviews
• The NLO Revolution
• Press Center
• Help Center
• Content Resources
• Facebook Group

Discover the Top Creative Story Introduction Examples

Table of Contents

Are you an aspiring author dreaming of becoming the likes of Stephen King or Suzanne Collins? Would you like to write a future best-selling story? The first step to your success is reading  story introduction examples.

Whether you’re writing a short story or a novel, you should learn about the essential parts of a fictional masterpiece. People love to read books that have an exciting hook.

That is why you must practice writing the best stories by studying fundamental concepts of creative writing.

This article will show you  story introduction examples  to refer to when you begin writing your first fictional masterpiece. Also, you will learn a few tips about writing story introductions .

Ready to become the next Nicholas Sparks? Read on!

What Is a Story Introduction

Story introductions are phrases you can use to persuade readers to continue reading the book . It serves the same purpose as a movie teaser. However, a story’s introduction appears in the book itself.

Also, it purports to open a pathway for the readers to enter the realm of the story. It also sets their minds about the happenings they can expect.

3 Tips to Remember When Writing Story Introductions

Writing a story’s introduction is challenging. This section of your text decides whether people will read your book or not.

Worry no more! Below are three tips to remember when writing a story introduction. Continue reading!

1. Determine Your Genre

The first thing you should do when trying to write an introduction for your story is your genre. This is essential because it will help you reflect your tone of voice throughout the story.

Your writing should align with your genre because it shows  consistency ,  clarity , and  reciprocity .

For example, if your genre is horror, you should use an introduction that “gives the chills.” You might find it weird to use a colorful introductory phrase for a story full of bloodbath and ghosts, right?

2. Know Your Target Audience

Aside from determining your genre, you must also know your target audience.

The words you’re using should abide by the profile of your potential readers. If they are under 18 years old, you should prevent using profanity and other adult words. 

On the other hand, if your readers are aged more than 70 years old, you should refrain from using Millennial and Generation Z slang.

3. Apply Creativity

The most important thing among these three tips is this one. Applying creativity to your story’s introduction will add more excitement to the book .

If your introduction is colorful and vibrant, your readers will find it interesting to read. People hate dull and corny introductions.

You can use creative words and phrases like metaphors, simile, onomatopoeia, et cetera. It depends on the genre of your story and your target audience’s profile.

Story Introduction Examples

From the literacy shed.

• I didn’t mean to kill her. 
• The air turned black all around me.
• Icy fingers gripped my arm in the darkness.
• Wandering through the graveyard it felt like something was watching me. 
• The eyes in the painting follow him down the corridor. 
• A shrill cry echoed in the mist
• Icy wind slashed at his face. The rain danced its evil dance upon his head as he tried to get his bearings on the isolated beach. 
• Footsteps slowly creaked on every step of the stairs. The bedroom door handle turned slowly. 
• Death lurked in every doorway with hell at one dark window. Inspired by A. Noyes ‘The Highwayman’
• My hair stood on end, a shiver raced down my spine and a lump came to my throat. It was him…
• The gravestones stood silently, row upon row like soldiers long forgotten, a scream shattered the silence…
• It was there, and then it had gone, why would a rabbit be on my bathroom floor? 
• Bleary-eyed, I went downstairs for breakfast, the house was empty, even the furniture had gone…
• The lights flickered and then went off, then the sirens started, it was coming, we knew it wouldn’t be the last time…
• The date was 13th July, my 345th birthday… it would be my last…

Ready to become the next Leo Tolstoy? Remember to follow the tips provided above in writing a fictional introduction. Also, refer to the story introduction examples above should you require inspiration.

The success of your novel depends on your willingness to improve your writing.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

Explore All Hook Writing Articles

Guide to writing an interesting expository essay introduction.

A good expository essay begins with an introduction that piques the interest of the reader. The expository essay introduction is…

• Hook Writing

Are you an aspiring author dreaming of becoming the likes of Stephen King or Suzanne Collins? Would you like to…

Creative and Powerful Sentence Starters for Essays

It can’t be said enough, first impressions matter. And it goes the same for essays because your starter sentences will…

Most Important Parts of an Essay Introduction

The introduction is often one of the most important sections in a paper. It creates a sense of what the…

7 Effective Ways to Start a Sentence

There are different ways to start a sentence and convey your message effectively to the readers. Being aware of the…

Six Social Media Hooks to Boost Engagement

To get the most out of your marketing strategy, you should consider using social media hooks to improve your engagement…

Awesome Guide on How to Write an Essay Introduction

'I'd like to recall the day I nearly burned myself in flames in my automobile while going 250 mph and escaping the police'. – Thankfully, we don't have a story like that to relate to, but we bet we piqued your interest.

That's what we refer to as an efficient hook. Fundamentally, it's an attention-grabbing first sentence that piques an audience's interest and encourages them to keep reading. While writing an essay, a strong hook in essay introductions is essential.

Delve into the article if you're wondering how to start an essay with a strong introduction. This is the ultimate guide for writing the parts of a introduction paragraph from our custom dissertation writing service to engage your readers.

Introduction Definition

The introduction paragraph, to put it simply, is the first section of an essay. Thus, when reading your essay, the reader will notice it right away. What is the goal of an opening paragraph? There are two things that an excellent introduction achieves. It initially informs the reader on the subject of your work; in other words, it should describe the essay's topic and provide some background information for its main point. It must also spark readers' interest and persuade them to read the remainder of your article.

To provide you with essay writing services , we only need your paper requirements to create a plagiarism-free paper on time.

How Long Should an Introduction Be

Typically, there are no strict restrictions on how long an opening paragraph should be. Professional essay writers often shape the size of it with the paper's total length in mind. For instance, if you wonder how to make introduction in essay with five paragraphs, keep your introductory sentence brief and fit it inside a single section. But, if you're writing a longer paper, let's say one that's 40 pages, your introduction could need many paragraphs or even be pages long.

Although there are no specific requirements, seasoned writers advise that your introduction paragraph should account for 8% to 9% of your essay's overall word length.

And, if you place an order on our coursework writing services , we will certainly comply with your introduction length requirements.

What Makes a Good Introduction

All of the following criteria should be fulfilled by a strong opening sentence:

• Start your introduction on an essay with a catchy sentence that draws the reader in.
• It needs to include baseline information about your subject.
• This should give readers a sense of the main argument(s) that your essay will address.
• It must include all necessary information on the setting, locations, and chronological events.
• By the end of your introduction, make a precise remark that serves as your essay's thesis.

What Are the 3 Parts of an Introduction Paragraph

So, what should be in a introduction paragraph? The introduction format essay has three sections: a hook, connections, and a thesis statement. Let's examine each component in more depth.

Part 1: Essay Hook

A hook is among the most effective parts of a introduction paragraph to start an essay. A strong hook will always engage the reader in only one sentence. In other words, it is a selling point.

Let's now address the query, 'how to make an essay introduction hook interesting?'. Well, to create a powerful hook, you can employ a variety of techniques:

• A shocking fact
• An anecdote 
• A short summary

And here is what to avoid when using a hook:

• Dictionary definitions
• Generalizations
• Sweeping statements that include words like 'everywhere,' 'always,' etc.

Once you've established a strong hook, you should give a general outline of your major point and some background information on the subject of your paper. If you're unsure how to write an introduction opening, the ideal approach is to describe your issue briefly before directing readers to particular areas. Simply put, you need to give some context before gradually getting more specific with your opinions.

The 5 Types of Hooks for Writing

Apart from the strategies mentioned above, there are even more types of hooks that can be used:

• A Common Misconception — a good trick, to begin with, to claim that something your readers believe in is false.

Example: 'Although many falsely believe that people working from home are less productive – employees who get such work-life benefits generally work harder.'

• Statistics — Statistical facts may provide a great hook for argumentative essays and serious subjects focusing on statistics.

Example: 'A recent study showed that people who are satisfied with their work-life balance work 21% harder and are 33% more likely to stay at the same company.'

• Personal Story — sometimes, personal stories can be an appropriate hook, but only if they fit into a few brief sentences (for example, in narrative essays).

Example: 'When I had my first work-from-home experience, I suddenly realized the importance of having a good work-life balance; I saw plenty of the benefits it can provide.'

• Scenes — this type of hook requires making the readers imagine the things you are writing about. It is most suitable when used in descriptive and narrative essays.

Example: 'Imagine you could have as much free time as you wish by working or studying from home—and spend more time with your loved ones.'

• Thesis Statement — when unsure how to do an essay introduction, some writers start directly with their thesis statement. The main trick here is that there is no trick.

Example: 'I strongly believe there is a direct correlation between a healthy work-life balance and productivity in school or at work.'

Part 2: Connections

Give readers a clearer sense of what you will discuss throughout your article once you have given a hook and relevant background information about your essay topic. Briefly mentioning your main points in the same sequence in which you will address them in your body paragraphs can help your readers progressively arrive at your thesis statement.

In this section of your introduction, you should primarily address the following questions:

You may make sure that you are giving your readers all the information they need to understand the subject of your essay by responding to each of these questions in two to three lines. Be careful to make these statements brief and to the point, though.

Your main goal is gradually moving from general to specific facts about your subject or thesis statement. Visualize your introduction as an upside-down triangle to simplify the essay writing process. The attention-grabbing element is at the top of this triangle, followed by a more detailed description of the subject and concluding with a highly precise claim. Here is some quick advice on how to use the 'upside-down triangle' structure to compose an essay introduction:

• Ensure that each subsequent line in your introduction is more focused and precise. This simple method will help you progressively introduce the main material of your piece to your audience.
• Consider that you are writing a paper on the value of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. In this situation, you may start with a query like, 'Have you ever considered how a healthy work-life balance can affect other areas of your life?' or a similar hook. Next, you could proceed by giving broad factual information. Finally, you could focus your topic on fitting your thesis statement.

Part 3: The Thesis Statement

If you're unsure of the ideal method to create an introduction, you should be particularly attentive to how you phrase your thesis statement.

The thesis of your work is, without a doubt, the most crucial section. Given that the thesis statement of your piece serves as the foundation for the entire essay, it must be presented in the introduction. A thesis statement provides readers with a brief summary of the article's key point. Your main assertion is what you'll be defending or disputing in the body of your essay. An effective thesis statement is often one sentence long, accurate, exact, unambiguous, and focused. Your thesis should often be provided at the end of your introduction.

Here is an example thesis statement for an essay about the value of a proper work-life balance to help you gain a better understanding of what a good thesis should be:

Thesis Statement Example: 'Creating flexible and pleasant work schedules for employees can help them have a better work-life balance while also increasing overall performance.'

Catchy Introductions for Different Essay Types

Although opening paragraphs typically have a fixed form, their language may vary. In terms of academic essays, students are often expected to produce four primary intro to essay examples. They include articles that are analytical, argumentative, personal, and narrative. It is assumed that different information should appear in these beginning paragraphs since the goals of each sort of essay change. A thorough overview of the various paper kinds is provided below, along with some good essay introduction samples from our argumentative essay writers:

Narrative Introduction

• The writer of a narrative essay must convey a story in this style of writing. Such essays communicate a story, which distinguishes them from other essay types in a big way.
• Such a paper's hook will often be an enticing glimpse into a specific scene that only loosely links to the thesis statement. Additionally, when writing such an essay, a writer should ensure that every claim included in the introduction relates to some important moments that have significantly impacted the story's outcome.
• The thesis in narrative writing is usually the theme or main lesson learned from the story.

Narrative introduction example: 'My phone rang, and my mother told me that Dad had suffered a heart attack. I suddenly experienced a sense of being lifted out from under me by this immaculately carpeted flooring. After making it through, Dad left me with a sizable collection of lessons. Here are three principles that I know dad would have wanted me to uphold...'

Still Can't Think of a Perfect Intro?

When assigned to write an essay, students end up with a ton of questions, including 'How to structure an essay?', 'How to choose a good topic?'. Here at EssayPro, we employ only the best essay writers who are committed to students’ success.

Analytical Introduction

• Analytical essay introduction format is another popular type. In contrast to a narrative paper, an analytical paper seeks to explore an idea and educate the reader about a topic.
• Three important facts that support the analytical premise should be included in the middle section of the introduction.
• A well-researched and well-thought-out claim will form a wonderful thesis because the main goal of this paper is to study the topic and educate readers. It's crucial to remember that this assertion shouldn't initially have any real weight. Although it will still be theoretical, it has to be articulated practically.

Analytical introduction example: “... Hence even though presidents, CEOs, and generals still have their daily schedules full of economic crises and military conflicts, on the cosmic scale of history humankind can lift its eyes up and start looking towards new horizons. If we bring famine, plague, and war under control, what will replace them at the top of the human agenda? Like firefighters in a world without fire, so humankind in the twenty-first century needs to ask itself an unprecedented question: what are we going to do with ourselves? What will demand our attention and ingenuity in a healthy, prosperous, and harmonious world? In a healthy, prosperous, and harmonious world, what will demand our attention and ingenuity? This question becomes doubly urgent given the immense new powers that biotechnology and information technology are providing us with. What will we do with all that power? ...” Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, Yuval Noah Harari

Persuasive Introduction

• To persuade readers of anything is the sole goal of persuasive essay writing. This may be accomplished using persuasive strategies like ethos, pathos, and logos.
• A hook statement for this paper may be anything from a fascinating fact to even comedy. You can use whatever technique you choose. The most crucial advice is to ensure your hook is in line with your thesis and that it can bolster further justifications.
• Generally speaking, a persuasive essay must include three supporting facts. Hence, to gradually lead readers to the major topic of your paper, add a quick summary of your three arguments in your introduction.
• Last, the thesis statement should be the main claim you will be disputing in this paper. It should be a brief, carefully thought-out, and confident statement of your essay's major argument.

Persuasive introduction example: 'Recycling waste helps to protect the climate. Besides cleaning the environment, it uses waste materials to create valuable items. Recycling initiatives must be running all around the world. ...'

Personal Introduction

• The final sort of academic writing that students frequently encounter is a personal essay. In principle, this essay style is creative nonfiction and requires the author to reflect on personal experiences. The goals of such a paper may be to convey a story, discuss the lessons that certain incidents have taught you, etc. This type of writing is unique since it is the most personal.
• Whatever topic you choose can serve as the hook for such an essay. A pertinent remark, query, joke, or fact about the primary plot or anything else will be acceptable. The backdrop of your narrative should then be briefly explained after that. Lastly, a thesis statement can describe the impact of particular experiences on you and what you learned.

Personal introduction example: 'My parents always pushed me to excel in school and pursue new interests like playing the saxophone and other instruments. I felt obligated to lead my life in a way that met their standards. Success was always expected on the route they had set out for me. Yet eight years after my parents' separation, this course was diverted when my dad relocated to California...'

Tips for Writing a Winning Introduction Paragraph

You now understand how to do introduction and have specific intro example for essays to help you get going. Let's quickly examine what you should and shouldn't do during the writing process.

• Keep the assignment's purpose in mind when you write your introduction, and ensure it complies with your instructor's requirements.
• Use a compelling and relevant hook to grab the reader's attention immediately.
• Make sure your readers understand your perspective to make it apparent.
• If necessary, establish key terms related to your subject.
• Show off your expertise on the subject.
• Provide a symbolic road map to help readers understand what you discuss throughout the post.
• Be brief; it's recommended that your introduction make up no more than 8 to 9 percent of the entire text (for example, 200 words for a 2500 words essay).
• Construct a strong thesis statement.
• Create some intrigue.
• Make sure there is a clear and smooth transition from your introduction to the body of your piece.
• If you're looking for a custom writer , request assistance from the EssayPro team. We know how to write a term paper along with many other types of essays.

Don'ts

• Provide too much background information.
• Use sentences that are off-topic or unnecessary.
• Make your opening paragraph excessively long.
• Keep some information a secret and reveal it later in conclusion.
• Employ overused phrases or generalizations.
• Using quotation marks excessively

Now that you know what is in the introduction of an essay, we recommend reading the information on how to critique an article to gain more academic insight.

If you are still struggling with that, keep in mind that you can always send us your request to get professional assistance from our law essay writing service .

Get Help With Your ESSAY INTRO!

Address to our professional writers to get help with your homework.

Related Articles

• Writing Prompts

150+ Story Starters: Creative Sentences To Start A Story

The most important thing about writing is finding a good idea . You have to have a great idea to write a story. You have to be able to see the whole picture before you can start to write it. Sometimes, you might need help with that. Story starters are a great way to get the story rolling. You can use them to kick off a story, start a character in a story or even start a scene in a story.

When you start writing a story, you need to have a hook. A hook can be a character or a plot device. It can also be a setting, something like “A young man came into a bar with a horse.” or a setting like “It was the summer of 1969, and there were no cell phones.” The first sentence of a story is often the hook. It can also be a premise or a situation, such as, “A strange old man in a black cloak was sitting on the train platform.”

Story starters are a way to quickly get the story going. They give the reader a place to start reading your story. Some story starters are obvious, and some are not. The best story starters are the ones that give the reader a glimpse into the story. They can be a part of a story or a part of a scene. They can be a way to show the reader the mood of a story. If you want to start a story, you can use a simple sentence. You can also use a question or an inspirational quote. In this post, we have listed over 150 story starters to get your story started with a bang! A great way to use these story starters is at the start of the Finish The Story game .

If you want more story starters, check out this video on some creative story starter sentences to use in your stories:

150+ Creative Story Starters

Here is a list of good sentences to start a story with:

• I’ve read about a million stories about princesses but never thought I could ever be one.
• There was once a man who was very old, but he was wise. He lived for a very long time, and he was very happy.
• What is the difference between a man and a cat? A cat has nine lives.
• In the middle of the night, a boy is running through the woods.
• It is the end of the world.
• He knew he was not allowed to look into the eyes of the princess, but he couldn’t help himself.
• The year is 1893. A young boy was running away from home.
• What if the Forest was actually a magical portal to another dimension, the Forest was a portal to the Otherworld?
• In the Forest, you will find a vast number of magical beings of all sorts. 
• It was the middle of the night, and the forest was quiet. No bugs or animals disturbed the silence. There were no birds, no chirping. 
• If you wish to stay in the Forest, you will need to follow these rules: No one shall leave the Forest. No one shall enter. No one shall take anything from the Forest.
• “It was a terrible day,” said the old man in a raspy voice.
• A cat is flying through the air, higher and higher, when it happens, and the cat doesn’t know how it got there, how it got to be in the sky.
• I was lying in the woods, and I was daydreaming.
• The Earth is a world of wonders. 
• The fairy is the most amazing creature I have ever met.
• A young girl was sitting on a tree stump at the edge of a river when she noticed a magical tree growing in the water.
• My dancing rat is dressed in a jacket, a tie and glasses, which make him look like a person. 
• In the darkness of the night, I am alone, but I know that I am not. 
• Owls are the oldest, and most intelligent, of all birds.
• My name is Reyna, and I am a fox. 
• The woman was drowning.
• One day, he was walking in the forest.
• It was a dark and stormy night…
• There was a young girl who could not sleep…
• A boy in a black cape rode on a white horse…
• A crazy old man in a black cloak was sitting in the middle of the street…
• The sun was setting on a beautiful summer day…
• The dog was restless…”
• There was a young boy in a brown coat…
• I met a young man in the woods…
• In the middle of a dark forest…
• The young girl was at home with her family…
• There was a young man who was sitting on a …
• A young man came into a bar with a horse…
• I have had a lot of bad dreams…
• He was a man who wanted to be king…
• It was the summer of 1969, and there were no cell phones.
• I know what you’re thinking. But no, I don’t want to be a vegetarian. The worst part is I don’t like the taste.
• She looked at the boy and decided to ask him why he wasn’t eating. She didn’t want to look mean, but she was going to ask him anyway.
• The song played on the radio, as Samual wiped away his tears.
• This was the part when everything was about to go downhill. But it didn’t…
• “Why make life harder for yourself?” asked Claire, as she bit into her apple.
• She made a promise to herself that she would never do it.
• I was able to escape.
• I was reading a book when the accident happened.
• “I can’t stand up for people who lie and cheat.” I cried.
• You look at me and I feel beautiful.
• I know what I want to be when I grow up.
• We didn’t have much money. But we knew how to throw a good party.
• The wind blew on the silent streets of London.
• What do you get when you cross an angry bee and my sister?
• The flight was slow and bumpy. I was half asleep when the captain announced we were going down.
• At the far end of the city was a river that was overgrown with weeds. 
• It was a quiet night in the middle of a busy week.
• One afternoon, I was eating a sandwich in the park when I spotted a stranger.
• In the late afternoon, a few students sat on the lawn reading.
• The fireflies were dancing in the twilight as the sunset.
• In the early evening, the children played in the park.
• The sun was setting and the moon was rising.
• A crowd gathered in the square as the band played.
• The top of the water tower shone in the moonlight.
• The light in the living room was on, but the light in the kitchen was off.
•  When I was a little boy, I used to make up stories about the adventures of these amazing animals, creatures, and so on. 
• All of the sudden, I realized I was standing in the middle of an open field surrounded by nothing but wildflowers, and the only thing I remembered about it was that I’d never seen a tree before.
• It’s the kind of thing that’s only happened to me once before in my life, but it’s so cool to see it.
• They gave him a little wave as they drove away.
• The car had left the parking lot, and a few hours later we arrived home.
• They were going to play a game of bingo.
• He’d made up his mind to do it. He’d have to tell her soon, though. He was waiting for a moment when they were alone and he could say it without feeling like an idiot. But when that moment came, he couldn’t think of anything to say.
• Jamie always wanted to own a plane, but his parents were a little tight on the budget. So he’d been saving up to buy one of his own. 
• The night was getting colder, and the wind was blowing in from the west.
• The doctor stared down at the small, withered corpse.
• She’d never been in the woods before, but she wasn’t afraid.
• The kids were having a great time in the playground.
• The police caught the thieves red-handed.
• The world needs a hero more than ever.
• Mother always said, “Be good and nice things will happen…”
• There is a difference between what you see and what you think you see.
• The sun was low in the sky and the air was warm.
• “It’s time to go home,” she said, “I’m getting a headache.”
• It was a cold winter’s day, and the snow had come early.
• I found a wounded bird in my garden.
• “You should have seen the look on my face.”
• He opened the door and stepped back.
• My father used to say, “All good things come to an end.”
• The problem with fast cars is that they break so easily.
• “What do you think of this one?” asked Mindy.
• “If I asked you to do something, would you do it?” asked Jacob.
• I was surprised to see her on the bus.
• I was never the most popular one in my class.
• We had a bad fight that day.
• The coffee machine had stopped working, so I went to the kitchen to make myself a cup of tea.
• It was a muggy night, and the air-conditioning unit was so loud it hurt my ears.
• I had a sleepless night because I couldn’t get my head to turn off.
• I woke up at dawn and heard a horrible noise.
• I was so tired I didn’t know if I’d be able to sleep that night.
• I put on the light and looked at myself in the mirror.
• I decided to go in, but the door was locked.
• A man in a red sweater stood staring at a little kitten as if it was on fire.
• “It’s so beautiful,” he said, “I’m going to take a picture.”
• “I think we’re lost,” he said, “It’s all your fault.”
• It’s hard to imagine what a better life might be like
• He was a tall, lanky man, with a long face, a nose like a pin, and a thin, sandy moustache.
• He had a face like a lion’s and an eye like a hawk’s.
• The man was so broad and strong that it was as if a mountain had been folded up and carried in his belly.
• I opened the door. I didn’t see her, but I knew she was there.
• I walked down the street. I couldn’t help feeling a little guilty.
• I arrived at my parents’ home at 8:00 AM.
• The nurse had been very helpful.
• On the table was an array of desserts.
• I had just finished putting the last of my books in the trunk.
• A car horn honked, startling me.
• The kitchen was full of pots and pans.
• There are too many things to remember.
• The world was my oyster. I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth.
•  “My grandfather was a World War II veteran. He was a decorated hero who’d earned himself a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart.
• Beneath the menacing, skeletal shadow of the mountain, a hermit sat on his ledge. His gnarled hands folded on his gnarled knees. His eyes stared blankly into the fog. 
• I heard a story about a dragon, who was said to be the size of a house, that lived on the top of the tallest mountain in the world.
•  I was told a story about a man who found a golden treasure, which was buried in this very park.
• He stood alone in the middle of a dark and silent room, his head cocked to one side, the brown locks of his hair, which were parted in the middle, falling down over his eyes.
•  Growing up, I was the black sheep of the family. I had my father’s eyes, but my mother’s smile.
• Once upon a time, there was a woman named Miss Muffett, and she lived in a big house with many rooms.
• When I was a child, my mother told me that the water looked so bright because the sun was shining on it. I did not understand what she meant at the time.    
•  The man in the boat took the water bottle and drank from it as he paddled away.
• The man looked at the child with a mixture of pity and contempt.
• An old man and his grandson sat in their garden. The old man told his grandson to dig a hole. 
• An old woman was taking a walk on the beach. The tide was high and she had to wade through the water to get to the other side.
• She looked up at the clock and saw that it was five minutes past seven.
• The man looked up from the map he was studying. “How’s it going, mate?”
• I was in my room on the third floor, staring out of the window.
• A dark silhouette of a woman stood in the doorway.
• The church bells began to ring.
• The moon rose above the horizon.
• A bright light shone over the road.
• The night sky began to glow.
• I could hear my mother cooking in the kitchen.
• The fog began to roll in.
• He came in late to the class and sat at the back.
• A young boy picked up a penny and put it in his pocket.
• He went to the bathroom and looked at his face in the mirror.
• It was the age of wisdom and the age of foolishness. We once had everything and now we have nothing.
• A young man died yesterday, and no one knows why.
• The boy was a little boy. He was not yet a man. He lived in a house in a big city.
• They had just returned from the theatre when the phone rang.
• I walked up to the front of the store and noticed the neon sign was out.
• I always wondered what happened to Mary.
• I stopped to say hello and then walked on.
• The boy’s mother didn’t want him to play outside…
• The lights suddenly went out…
• After 10 years in prison, he was finally out.
• The raindrops pelted the window, which was set high up on the wall, and I could see it was a clear day outside.
• My friend and I had just finished a large pizza, and we were about to open our second.
• I love the smell of the ocean, but it never smells as good as it does when the waves are crashing.
• They just stood there, staring at each other.
• A party was in full swing until the music stopped.

For more ideas on how to start your story, check out these first-line writing prompts . Did you find this list of creative story starters useful? Let us know in the comments below!

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

Related Posts

Comments loading...

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• Fiction Writing
• Writing Novels

How to Write an Introduction to a Book

Last Updated: April 11, 2022 References

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 81,989 times. Learn more...

Books often have an introduction before the first chapter of the book. This text, which is essentially a short chapter, is meant to provide information on what the book is going to be about. It gives background information, talks about why the book is important and gives an overview of the contents.

Developing the Introduction

• Think about your main ideas as you are writing notes for your introduction. Sketch out the overall themes of your book, so you have them ready.

• For instance, if you are writing a book on birds, you could begin by telling a childhood story about how you tried to save a stuffed animal bird once by using office tape.
• Or you could talk about how many birds are in the world as a way of introducing them.

• What’s the point of talking about birds? Why is this book important? Why would someone want to read it?
• If you can answer those questions in a couple of paragraphs, you’ve got a good start on your introduction.

• Any person picking up the book should be able to determine whether it fits what they need it for, so you should go over the intended purpose of the book in the introduction.

• Basically, you want the right reader for your book, and telling your readers who the audience is will help them figure it out. You don’t have to use the word “audience” in your introduction. Just give an idea of who the book is meant for, such as:
• “This book uses scientific language, but every term is explained thoroughly. As long as you are willing to learn, you should find this guide helpful even if you don’t have a background in biology.”
• In those two sentences, you’ve told the reader that they might encounter scientific words they don't know, but that you will give them an idea of what these words mean; you’ve also told them that maybe they should find another book if they don’t want to dig through scientific jargon.
• However, make sure you follow through on what your promise; that is if you say you are going to define your scientific words, make sure you do.

• Consider providing a summary of each chapter. Not every introduction does this, but it does give your readers an idea of what to expect, which certainly isn’t a bad thing.
• Since you’ve already made a summary of each chapter for the outline above, read through them to make sure they are appropriate for your readers, and then insert them at the end of your introduction. Try to keep the summaries short, a paragraph or less.

Experimenting with Different Styles

• Make your introduction straightforward and to the point, as your readers will be expecting an introduction that progresses in a logical line.

• You can often have a bit more freedom when introducing a book of poetry. In fact, it can be more poetic. However, like an anthology of stories, it really depends on the context.
• If you are just writing an introduction for an old friend’s book, it can be more poetic and playful, but for a book in an academic setting, it may need to be more informational.

Community Q&A

• Your introduction should be interesting to the reader to continue reading the book. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
• Overall, your introduction should draw your readers in, cover what you are going to say in the following chapters, and provide some background information about why you wrote the book. If you cover those topics, you will have done your job in writing an introduction. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 4
• An introduction can be anywhere from a few pages to a full-length chapter, depending on how much you have to say. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 2

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://scribewriting.com/write-book-introduction/
• ↑ https://www.dystopianstories.com/write-book-introduction-hook-reader/
• ↑ http://writersrelief.com/2010/05/14/how-why-and-when-to-write-an-introduction-for-a-nonfiction-book/
• ↑ https://writenonfictionnow.com/writing-perfect-introduction-nonfiction-book/
• http://writersrelief.com/blog/2010/05/how-why-and-when-to-write-an-introduction-for-a-nonfiction-book/
• http://www.lisatener.com/2009/02/how-to-write-an-introduction-think-like-your-readers/

About This Article

There are several approaches to writing an introduction to a book, so you can pick one or a few to help prepare your reader. One way to approach the introduction is to write a short, paragraph-long summary of each chapter. You could also discuss your main purpose in writing the book to help your reader better appreciate your work and why it might be important. Pulling your reader in with a funny story, joke, or interesting fact that relates to the book is another fun way to begin your book. No matter how you introduce your book, toward the end you’ll want to move into more specifics to help the reader transition into the first chapter. To learn how to pick the right style of writing for your introduction, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Did this article help you?

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Get all the best how-tos!

Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter

Table of Contents

What an Introduction Should Do

What an introduction should not do, the formula for an introduction, example introduction outline, why to write your intro last, how to outline your book introduction.

You know why most readers—probably including you—skip book introductions?

Because most authors think the purpose of the introduction is to explain everything they will talk about in the book.

That is boring and wrong.

The purpose of a good introduction is to engage the reader and get them to read the book .

Just because someone is reading an introduction does not mean they are going to finish the book . The thing that scares people off of books is not the price—it’s the commitment of time. People don’t care about $10. They care about spending their time on something that is interesting and engaging to them.

That is the job of the introduction: prove to the reader this book is worth reading. A well done introduction grabs the reader and compels them to keep reading. It pulls them through and makes them excited to start the content, because the introduction has answered the most important question the reader has:

“Why should I read this book?”

• Get the reader immediately interested in the book
• Clearly lay out the pain the reader is facing
• Paint a picture of a better future or a benefit the reader can get
• Outline briefly what the reader will learn in the book
• Explain why the author is the expert and authority on this subject
• Get the reader committed to reading the book
• Be a summary of the book
• Try to tell the whole story of something that is already in the book
• Tell the author’s whole life story
• Tediously explain exactly what is coming in the book
• Have a meandering story that the reader doesn’t care about
• Have too much background
• Be too long
• Start at the beginning of the author’s life
• Have too much autobiography
• Be entirely about the author and what they want to talk about

The Best Introductions are Formulaic

This is the thing to know about introductions: there is a formula to effective ones, and you should follow it.

Even though it may not seem like there’s a formula, there is one, and if you don’t stick to it, then your readers will feel it, and be upset—even if they don’t know why.

You can be very creative within the boundaries of the formula, but follow the formula and your introduction will work well.

A good introduction is like an interesting sales pitch, not a dry and boring informational piece. Introductions are built from these elements:

• Hook the reader
• Tell a story about the reader’s current pain
• Tell a story about the reader’s potential pleasure
• Tell them what they’ll learn
• Describe the author’s background/origin of book
• Set up the book with a call to action

Part 1: Hook the reader

An introduction has to hook the reader fast. It should grab them by the lapels and force them to pay attention.

Here are examples of hooks. They start average and then get much better:

“Let’s start with a question: Why do certain groups perform better than other groups?”

“You’ve been told a lie. Everything you know about sugar is wrong.”

“I thought I was going to die.”

“We shot dogs. Not by accident. We did it on purpose, and we called it Operation Scooby. I’m a dog person, so I thought a lot about that.”

These all grab your attention. They make you sit up, take notice, and read the next line.

There is not a specific formula to figuring out your hook. These are the three questions we use to help determine what the hook is:

• What is the most interesting story or claim in the book?
• What sentence or fact makes people sit up and take notice?
• What is the intended audience going to care about the most, or be most interested in or shocked by?

Some other things to think about when finding your hook:

• A great hook is counterintuitive, and it violates expectations or reverses
• It’s not going to be the first story you think of
• It’s the story people always ask you about
• It is never the story that makes you look the best

Often the hook is an anecdote. One powerful way to write an anecdotal hook well is to use the “cinematic” technique: tell it as if you are describing a scene in a movie. At its core, the hook makes the reader sit up and take notice.

Though the first sentence must be effective, the rest of the page and initial story must do the same thing.

An attention-grabbing sentence needs to lead into something that keeps them—a short story, example, statistic, or historical context that introduces the subject in a way that is interesting and exciting—and will engage the reader and compel them to read more, and lead them into the rest of the material.

Part 2: Tell stories about the reader’s current pain

Once you have the reader’s attention with the hook, the introduction next answers the implicit reader question: “Why do I care?”

Basically, what’s the reason the reader went to the bookstore? What problem were they looking to solve?

This is not about giving the reader simple information. It’s not enough to list nothing but boring facts and figures. No one pays attention to that.

People pay attention to stories, especially stories that resonate with their problems, pain, and conflicts. Once they are in touch with those pain points, then they want to hear about solutions that provide relief and pleasure, and maybe even take them somewhere new in their life.

This ties directly into the audience section  you wrote in your positioning. You should know your reader’s pain precisely, because you’ve already told that story once, at least in the abstract. The story or stories in the introduction should dive deep and describe the massive pain the reader is suffering by not taking the advice or lessons in your book. Pain induces action.

Part 3: Tell stories about the reader’s potential pleasure

Once you’ve appealed to the reader’s pain point, then you should tell a story that describes the pleasure that comes from taking the action. Show them why the results are so amazing and that the goal is worth the pain.

Again, this ties into your audience positioning—you already have this story, you did it in your audience section. Dive deep into it and provide more specifics.

Part 4: Tell them what they’ll learn

Once you’ve laid out the pain and pleasure stories and the reader understands what’s at stake for them by reading this book, then you need to explain exactly how you are going to help them solve their pain and get to their pleasure.

Make sure this is so clear and simple that even a seventh grader could understand. It should be as basic as, “I am going to show you precisely how to do this. I’ll walk you through, step by step by step, until you have mastered everything necessary to get your results.”

Part 5: Describe your background/origin of book

Once you’ve hooked the reader, appealed to their pain, and shown them the benefit they can have if they overcome it, now it’s time to explain who you are, why you wrote the book, and why the reader should trust what you have to say.

Essentially, you’ll establish your authority to be their guide, and contextualize the book for them.

The best way to do this again, is to tell a story. Why did you write this book? Why does this subject matter to you? How did you learn enough to be in a position to teach what you know to people? Why are you qualified—even uniquely qualified—to write this book? Why should the reader credit what you have to say?

This is where you can talk about your hero’s journey story—what it took for you to get to this place—because this is where the reader is wondering why they should trust you. After all, if you are going to help them by teaching them so much, they need to know why they should listen to you.

But, and this is very important: remember that the reader doesn’t care about you . They only care about you and your story insofar as it applies to the book and to your expertise. Do not give them an autobiography. Just enough about you to know that they should listen is all it takes.

Part 6: What the book is and is not

This is an optional part of the intro, but many authors like to put this in. By telling the reader what the book is and is not, it sets the right expectations in the beginning. You can do this very simply, mainly by stating what you will not be, and the things they will not get out of it.

Underselling here, just a little, works great.

Part 7: Segue to first chapter

Once you have done all of this, then all that is left is a simple transition to get the reader ready to dive in and start engaging the book.

I know this all seems like a lot, so here is an example intro to help you see how it ties together:

Most authors find the introduction to be the hardest part of the book to write, and that’s why we recommend authors outline it last.

Why is it hardest and better when it’s done last? I tell authors we outline the intro last because we want it to hit hard and entice, and it’s easier to be more effective in that when we already have a specific understanding of the full scope and key messaging of the book.

You can’t effectively tease something if you don’t fully understand how it’s going to play out in practice.

The Scribe Crew

Read this next.

How to Choose the Best Book Ghostwriting Package for Your Book

How to Choose the Best Ghostwriting Company for Your Nonfiction Book

How to Choose a Financial Book Ghostwriter

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• How to write a narrative essay | Example & tips

How to Write a Narrative Essay | Example & Tips

Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

A narrative essay tells a story. In most cases, this is a story about a personal experience you had. This type of essay , along with the descriptive essay , allows you to get personal and creative, unlike most academic writing .

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

What is a narrative essay for, choosing a topic, interactive example of a narrative essay, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about narrative essays.

When assigned a narrative essay, you might find yourself wondering: Why does my teacher want to hear this story? Topics for narrative essays can range from the important to the trivial. Usually the point is not so much the story itself, but the way you tell it.

A narrative essay is a way of testing your ability to tell a story in a clear and interesting way. You’re expected to think about where your story begins and ends, and how to convey it with eye-catching language and a satisfying pace.

These skills are quite different from those needed for formal academic writing. For instance, in a narrative essay the use of the first person (“I”) is encouraged, as is the use of figurative language, dialogue, and suspense.

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

Narrative essay assignments vary widely in the amount of direction you’re given about your topic. You may be assigned quite a specific topic or choice of topics to work with.

• Write a story about your first day of school.
• Write a story about your favorite holiday destination.

You may also be given prompts that leave you a much wider choice of topic.

• Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself.
• Write about an achievement you are proud of. What did you accomplish, and how?

In these cases, you might have to think harder to decide what story you want to tell. The best kind of story for a narrative essay is one you can use to talk about a particular theme or lesson, or that takes a surprising turn somewhere along the way.

For example, a trip where everything went according to plan makes for a less interesting story than one where something unexpected happened that you then had to respond to. Choose an experience that might surprise the reader or teach them something.

Narrative essays in college applications

When applying for college , you might be asked to write a narrative essay that expresses something about your personal qualities.

For example, this application prompt from Common App requires you to respond with a narrative essay.

In this context, choose a story that is not only interesting but also expresses the qualities the prompt is looking for—here, resilience and the ability to learn from failure—and frame the story in a way that emphasizes these qualities.

An example of a short narrative essay, responding to the prompt “Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself,” is shown below.

Hover over different parts of the text to see how the structure works.

Since elementary school, I have always favored subjects like science and math over the humanities. My instinct was always to think of these subjects as more solid and serious than classes like English. If there was no right answer, I thought, why bother? But recently I had an experience that taught me my academic interests are more flexible than I had thought: I took my first philosophy class.

Before I entered the classroom, I was skeptical. I waited outside with the other students and wondered what exactly philosophy would involve—I really had no idea. I imagined something pretty abstract: long, stilted conversations pondering the meaning of life. But what I got was something quite different.

A young man in jeans, Mr. Jones—“but you can call me Rob”—was far from the white-haired, buttoned-up old man I had half-expected. And rather than pulling us into pedantic arguments about obscure philosophical points, Rob engaged us on our level. To talk free will, we looked at our own choices. To talk ethics, we looked at dilemmas we had faced ourselves. By the end of class, I’d discovered that questions with no right answer can turn out to be the most interesting ones.

The experience has taught me to look at things a little more “philosophically”—and not just because it was a philosophy class! I learned that if I let go of my preconceptions, I can actually get a lot out of subjects I was previously dismissive of. The class taught me—in more ways than one—to look at things with an open mind.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

College essays

• Choosing Essay Topic
• Write a College Essay
• Write a Diversity Essay
• College Essay Format & Structure
• Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
• AI Detector
• Plagiarism Checker
• Citation Generator

If you’re not given much guidance on what your narrative essay should be about, consider the context and scope of the assignment. What kind of story is relevant, interesting, and possible to tell within the word count?

The best kind of story for a narrative essay is one you can use to reflect on a particular theme or lesson, or that takes a surprising turn somewhere along the way.

Don’t worry too much if your topic seems unoriginal. The point of a narrative essay is how you tell the story and the point you make with it, not the subject of the story itself.

Narrative essays are usually assigned as writing exercises at high school or in university composition classes. They may also form part of a university application.

When you are prompted to tell a story about your own life or experiences, a narrative essay is usually the right response.

The key difference is that a narrative essay is designed to tell a complete story, while a descriptive essay is meant to convey an intense description of a particular place, object, or concept.

Narrative and descriptive essays both allow you to write more personally and creatively than other kinds of essays , and similar writing skills can apply to both.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, July 23). How to Write a Narrative Essay | Example & Tips. Scribbr. Retrieved March 25, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/narrative-essay/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, how to write an expository essay, how to write a descriptive essay | example & tips, how to write your personal statement | strategies & examples, unlimited academic ai-proofreading.

✔ Document error-free in 5minutes ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts

If you’re looking to inspire your students’ writing and creativity, turn to these fun and exciting writing prompts. Perfect for overcoming writer’s block or even starting a brand-new short story in a different narrative, creative writing prompts can help students begin a new piece with confidence.

Plus, these story starters can also encourage students to explore different genres while honing their writing skills. There are a lot of ways you can use writing prompts in your classroom. Try: 

Reading a book in a genre, then having students use a story starter in that same genre. 

Starting off class with 10 minutes of writing, using one of the prompts below. If you'd like, you can ask a volunteer to share their story! Students may be surprised by the variety of stories that are written based on the same prompt. 

Using these prompts as an introduction to a creative writing unit. 

Providing fast finishers with a way to stay busy — and have fun. 

Using story starters to encourage students to write at home.

Adventure Story Starters 

Take inspiration from classics like Treasure Island and newer popular series like The Bad Guys to explore how to write thrilling adventure stories. And to encourage students to begin writing their own adventure-focused stories, share these creative story starters: 

You’re part of a pirate crew in search of a long-lost storied treasure trove. What is happening on the ship and where do you find the treasure? 

You get the chance to use a time machine to meet one historical figure of your choice. Who do you go meet, and what will you do to explore that time period?

You receive a fortune in a fortune cookie that changes the course of your life. What does the fortune say, and what happens when it comes true?

Get students excited about adventure stories with these great books: 

Fantasy Story Starters 

Have fans of dragons, unicorns, wizards, and other mythical creatures in class? Encourage them to give fantasy writing a shot. 

You’re on a quest through a hidden underground world that no one else has ever seen. What magical creatures do you come across? What do they look like, and how do they act? 

There is a witch who lives in a nearby legendary haunted house. She puts a hex on you that needed to be broken by the time the clock struck midnight the next night. What kind of hex is it, and how do you break it? 

You stumble into an enchanted forest. How did you find it, and what do you discover in it?

Check out these fun fantasy titles for more inspiration:

Sci-Fi Story Starters 

Kids interested in STEM concepts will love science fiction! Try these prompts to see how your students combine science with their wildest imaginations. 

• You’re the first person to ever set foot on Mars. What is it like? What do you explore first? 
• You and your friend have the same dream in the middle of the night about a prophecy that involves another dimension. What is the prophecy, and what is this other dimension? What do you and your friend have to do to reach and alter this dimension?
• After NASA discovers a whole new world of giants in a nearby nebula, they send a team of scientists through a wormhole to study them. You are one of the scientists on board. What does the journey feel like? What do the giants look like in this world? 

Plus, find great kid-friendly sci-fi here:

Genre Scrambler Story Starters 

Have some fun with genre studies by combining them! Try these prompts to get started:

• You are on an expedition in the Arctic and discover a new species of animals living in the harsh climate that no one has ever seen before. What kind of species is it, and what characteristics do they have? 
• You’re walking home from school and notice that the front door of a neighbor’s house is wide open, and no one is in sight. The old man who normally lives there is nowhere to be found. Curious, you go into the house and find that everything is fake: the furniture, the food, the technology, etc. In fact, the whole property is made of plastic, even the grass and trees! What happened to the old man who lives here? Why does this house exist, and why is everything fake? 
• You are a child living in the early 1800s in an unnamed country when an asteroid hits, releasing aliens that want to make contact with your leaders. What do these aliens want? How does everyone react?

Shop popular books of all genres that will inspire young writers below! You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store .

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• March Madness
• AP Top 25 Poll
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Easter 2024

What is Palm Sunday and how is it celebrated worldwide?

FILE - Nuns wait for the start of the Palm Sunday’s mass celebrate by pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at The Vatican Sunday, April 2, 2023. Palm Sunday will be celebrated by Christians worldwide Sunday, March 24, 2024. It commemorates the Christian belief in the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, when palm branches were strewn before him. It marks the start of Holy Week. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

FILE - Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, center, walks in a procession during the Palm Sunday Mass in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where many Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and rose from the dead, in the Old City of Jerusalem, Sunday, April 2, 2023. TPalm Sunday will be celebrated by Christians worldwide Sunday, March 24, 2024. It commemorates the Christian belief in the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, when palm branches were strewn before him. It marks the start of Holy Week. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File)

FILE - Christian faithful march carrying green Palm branches to commemorate Palm Sunday, which marks the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, in the streets of Nairobi, Kenya, Sunday, April 2, 2023. Palm Sunday will be celebrated by Christians worldwide Sunday, March 24, 2024. It commemorates the Christian belief in the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, when palm branches were strewn before him. It marks the start of Holy Week. (AP Photo, File)

• Copy Link copied

Palm Sunday commemorates the Christian belief in the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, when he was greeted by cheering crowds waving palm branches that they set out on the ground along his path, according to the Bible.

This year, Palm Sunday falls on March 24. Also known as Passion Sunday, it marks the start of Holy Week. The most sacred week of the Christian year includes the Good Friday re-enactment of Jesus’ crucifixion story and death, and their belief in his resurrection on Easter.

Here is a quick look at Palm Sunday’s significance.

IS THERE A DONKEY IN THIS STORY?

The procession of Jesus into Jerusalem is described by the four Gospel writers in the Bible.

The Gospels differ, but based on one expert they agree on this: Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey — or a colt. So, which one is it?

Colt is defined as “a young male horse that is usually not castrated.” But in the Bible, the word meaning “colt” is used almost exclusively for young donkeys, not horses, writes Joanne M. Pierce , professor emerita of religious studies at the College of the Holy Cross.

Pierce writes that this brings to mind a reference from the Book of Zechariah in Jewish scriptures, where the prophet describes a victorious king who enters Jerusalem riding on a donkey.

In Judaism, she says, the passage from Zechariah refers to the Messiah , a spiritual king who would peacefully redeem Israel, and the donkey is interpreted as a sign of humility .

“In Christianity, this animal becomes almost a symbol of Christ himself, given how it patiently suffers and bears others’ burdens,” Pierce writes in a piece published by The Conversation . “Horses, on the other hand, tend to be associated with royalty, power and war.”

WHAT ABOUT THE PALMS?

In the biblical Palm Sunday story, a cheering crowd greeted Jesus along the road. Some spread their garments on the ground; others threw down leafy branches they had cut from the fields. In the Gospel of John, they are branches from palms, a tree that symbolized victory and triumph.

In the Gospel of Matthew, people began to shout: “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” The word “Hosanna” was a plea for salvation and an exclamation of adoration.

After the procession, the Bible says Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple.

HOW IS PALM SUNDAY CELEBRATED?

The ritual or liturgy typically starts with a blessing of the palms by clergy. It’s followed by a reading of the Passion of Christ, meaning an account of the final events of Jesus’ life.

Some ceremonies in German-speaking countries used to include a figure of Jesus riding a donkey, Encyclopedia Britannica says . The figure is called a “ Palmesel ,” or German for “palm donkey,” according to New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, which on its site recounts how worshippers would lay palms on the ground before the Palmesel during lively processions.

Christian pilgrims in the Holy Land mark Palm Sunday by holding Masses and processions retracing Jesus’ triumphal entry. Worshippers carry palm fronds and olive branches and march from the top of the neighboring Mount of Olives to Jerusalem’s historic Old City, home to holy sites of the three Abrahamic monotheistic faiths.

In churches around the world, the palms are often taken home by congregants, and some will become ashes.

HOW DO THE PALMS TURN INTO ASHES?

Ashes can be purchased, but some churches make their own by burning the palms from prior years.

They’re used to make the ashes for Ash Wednesday , the solemn day of fasting and reflection that signals the start of Christianity’s most penitent season.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.