A Set Up or A Hook: Perfecting the First Sentence
F irst sentences carry an enormous amount of responsibility on their shoulders, and writers need to ensure they can bear the weight. Make every word count. Source Think of the first sentence as the “host” of the story. The reader sits down. Eager hands open up the book to the first page. The first sentence greets the reader, setting the tone and voice of the story they’re about to experience. The writer must convince the reader to step over the threshold into the story. Remember, readers want instant gratification. The minute the first sentence makes them wait for something interesting or thought provoking, they get bored. A first sentence, and a good host, balances between an informative and alluring personality. The first sentence invites a reader in and offers information in order to anchor them in the story. It should grab the reader's attention by engaging their curiosity. A reader supplied with the right questions will continue to read in search f...