10 ways to achieve a winning first paragraph for your article

by Sushant Risodkar on August 2, 2009

make money online

What’s the second most important part of your posts, after that catchy title? The first paragraph.

Many bloggers don’t get much response to their article because many people dropped out of reading their article because the “1st paragraph” wasn’t too convincing for them.

Like a sales man;  when he knocks at your door he firstly introduce about the product by telling the important and interesting things about it, he doesn’t tells any rubbish info like it’s power consumption or it’s weight etc. . This makes most of the people buy that product. Similarly you have to try and make your 1st paragraph of the article so much interesting that will make the reader scroll down and read the rest of the part.

If your 1st para doesn’t makes you look a good sales man,
then the rest of your article might not be thought useful by readers.

Here are 10 ways to make the first paragraph of your article drag the reader to read the rest of the part:


1. Ask a question-

Starting your post with a question is a very good strategy, it creates curiosity and makes the reader think on it. The thinking may often result in linking your content, and that is something very good for you.

2. Start by quoting an interesting story part-

They are one of the best ways to communicate and to produce emotional reactions in others like sympathy, apathy, laughter, anger, sadness and so on.

3. Put a picture in the first paragraph-

We all know that a good image captures the attention of the eyes, so do not miss the opportunity to use it. But beware, do not forget that you are trying to attract attention from the first paragraph to redirect them to full article, if you use a striking image, but that has nothing to do with the article, the effect is lost. Use an image that readers can identify with the title or phrase, or representing a situation arising in the first paragraph of the article or topic.

4. Use the reader’s Imagination-

Usually if you describe something that a person can imagine or project in the backdrop of his head, then it will help you. Appealing to the mental imagery is one of the most powerful things you can do as a writer or speaker.  You can help make this happen using words like “imagine” ,”think like a ..”, etc..

5. Make an analogy or Comparison-

How many times we explain things without any success until someone comes and says, “does this means…” or “is it similar to…” and suddenly, although the topic has nothing to do, we understand.
When writing your 1st paragraph, remember something which brings to mind a comparison that is useful for the reader to understand more easily, do not ever hesitate to mention it.

6. Use Metaphor in your article-

Metaphors are among the most powerful tools as it helps to tell a story or give advice in only one sentence. It is a great way to attract attention and cause a mental image that allows readers to tell a story themselves.

7. Use some Surprising Statistics-

Starting your article with numbers is not always recommended, but this is the exception to the rule; an interesting and shocking statistic is a great technique. People like them who provide interesting data, but only if they are original, surprising or shocking. Like the images; the statistics used must also be relevant to the topic you are trying.

Note: Do not abuse the amount of numbers, Use figures from reliable sources, and if you use graphics to enhance your statistics for greater impact then it will give you more benefits.

8. Quote someone famous or an expert-

A quote from an expert in one subject or character recognition, can work wonders in attracting the reader’s attention in those first few seconds.

9. Write a summary of your post-

If your article is long and you feel it’s excellent but somewhere the reader might skip then at the last of the article you can summarize the article so that your reader gets the proper information about that article.

10. Beware of links in the first paragraph-

Particularly I think the links are very useful, to describe what it has been inspired from or what it is related to.
But if you use them in first 2-3 lines to raise a condition for understanding your article, then probably your reader might leave. Unless you are a continuing any post series,do not place links in the first paragraph that readers need to visit to understand the rest of the article; it will only encourage them to leave faster which you really don’t want.

Remember! If you get a great title and a first paragraph, then it will ensure that you get the reader’s attention to the rest of the article.

Please lemme know your response on this article and how you! take care of your 1st paragraph of the article.


Top 10 Search Terms:

• ways of paragraphing • paragraph about typhoon • first paragraph of an article • winning paragraph • paragraph about winning • catchy first paragraph • the best opening paragraph for an article • 10 ways to start a paragraph • methods of writing a pharagraph • 1st paragraph


THIS IS A DO FOLLOW BLOG --- ADD YOUR COMMENT

Article Written By Sushant Risodkar

Yo! I'm +Sushant Risodkar (noteeboyz.13@gmail.com) & my nickname on web is Typhoon. I'm a 18 yrs. old young blogger from India & the owner of SmartBloggerz. If you are looking for SUCCESS as a blogger & affiliate marketer then SmartBloggerz is the right blog for you. You can follow me on Twitter or be my friend on Facebook. And hey! Don't forget to LIKE SMARTBLOGGERZ on Facebook. Read more .

Sushant Risodkar has written 372 superb article(s) on this blog


{ 81 comments… read them below or add one }

Hesham August 2, 2009 at 8:25 pm

Good post, I am following some of the ideas here!

Reply

Typhoon August 3, 2009 at 3:45 pm

@Hesham, Thanks buddy. I knw you liked it and re-tweeted it :0

Reply

Doug Dillard August 3, 2009 at 12:05 am

Great post! I know many times I have left a site after reading the first few sentence in a post. I really like the Ask a question and/or the Make an Analogy/Comparison ideas.
.-= Doug Dillard´s last blog ..Why Comment on MakingMoneyOnline.com? =-.

Reply

Typhoon August 3, 2009 at 4:02 pm

@Doug Dillard, Gr8 to see you here Doug and Thanks for telling us about your thought on 1st paragraph importance.

Reply

Margaret Elmendorf August 3, 2009 at 12:14 am

Great post. I think I am going to copy it and print it so I can keep it right beside me. I do try to ask a question in the beginning. But I want to write another blog with all this in my mind. Great suggestions.
.-= Margaret Elmendorf´s last blog ..Does your Puppy or Dog chew?? =-.

Reply

Typhoon August 3, 2009 at 4:12 pm

@Margaret Elmendorf, Oh.. How lovely. I think I must also add a Print option button on my blog so that people can print my articles easily.. hehe

Reply

teratips August 3, 2009 at 12:31 am

hay typhoon, you are also going to be pro, as it looks like pro-blogging tips.
.-= teratips´s last blog ..How to Set Cookies in PHP =-.

Reply

Typhoon August 3, 2009 at 4:14 pm

@teratips, Thanks tera for commenting and boosting me to be a pro-blogger :0

Reply

George Serradinho August 3, 2009 at 10:52 am

Wow, I think I am guilty of putting some links in the first paragraph. I will have to be more careful and do my best to follow these wonderful tips you have listed.

I normally only ask questions at the end of my posts, but will try and ask in the beginning too. Thanks for sharing these tips.
.-= George Serradinho´s last blog ..Serious Monday Roundup #3 =-.

Reply

Typhoon August 3, 2009 at 4:17 pm

@George Serradinho, It’s not too bad if you put links in the 1st para but be sure you add a string as target="_blank" in the links of 1st para so that people suddenly don’t leave the blog.

Reply

Liane YoungBlogger August 3, 2009 at 4:18 pm

As they say, it’s all about the leading :D in this case, the beginning sentences are the most crucial of them all. It can vary per style, but the thing is to first catch the reader’s eye. It’s a must.
.-= Liane YoungBlogger´s last blog ..[Poll Results] Is Blog Advertising Really Dead? =-.

Reply

Typhoon August 3, 2009 at 4:58 pm

@Liane YoungBlogger, Yup, If your style is good and people like it then your all articles can be a hit.

Reply

Greg Ellison August 3, 2009 at 4:42 pm

I like to add pictures to my posts when I can, and I also like to ask a question for my readers at the end. Like Serradinho I will try to ask questions in the beginning to see how my readers like it. Thanks for sharing some great content. Greg Ellison
.-= Greg Ellison´s last blog ..Make your picture into a yearbook picture =-.

Reply

Typhoon August 3, 2009 at 5:06 pm

@Greg Ellison, Asking question at starting could really make your readers get excited in what’s more in that article to read. It could also make people comment more..

Reply

Een Rockstar August 3, 2009 at 5:31 pm

Nice tips, I always start with a picture or make a scenario to make a winning first paragraph.
.-= Een Rockstar´s last blog ..Rockstar Seo Tips =-.

Reply

Typhoon August 4, 2009 at 12:53 pm

@Een Rockstar, Thanks for commenting. Well I tweeted your recent article :0

Reply

Karen from Blazing Minds August 3, 2009 at 9:33 pm

Now this is some great advice and 10 which I will try to follow and hopefully improve my blogging shortly..
.-= Karen @ Blazing Minds´s last blog ..Blogs I’ve found of interest today! =-.

Reply

Typhoon August 4, 2009 at 12:54 pm

@Karen @ Blazing Minds, Thanks for commenting and tweeting up this article :)

Reply

Klaus from TechPatio August 4, 2009 at 12:24 am

I agree with all your points, it’s just a matter of me not always applying them to my blog posts, unfortunately :(

I especially agree regarding metaphors, that’s also important to use in your speech as it fires up your listener(s) mind with images.
.-= Klaus @ TechPatio´s last blog ..Help Me Test This System: Get Thousands Of Website Visitors For Free =-.

Reply

Typhoon August 4, 2009 at 12:56 pm

@Klaus @ TechPatio, It’s good that you told you aren’t applyign those. Brave guy..
But believe me if you get time and apply it you will surely gonna see some difference in your readers reaction to your post.

Reply

Compute Live August 4, 2009 at 1:21 am

I think asking a question or showing some element of suprise should make the reader to beyond the first paragraph
.-= Compute Live´s last blog ..WordPress 2.8.3 Security Release =-.

Reply

Typhoon August 4, 2009 at 12:59 pm

@Compute Live, Yup, I think asking question is not the main thing. Asking those questions in a Fun way that will make the readers go excited is important. Because some questions might even bore the readers which can have a negative impact so you have to make sure the question are asked in a fun way.

Reply

Compute Live August 4, 2009 at 3:53 pm

@Typhoon,

Yaa…I meant that way…didnt mention it thou… ;)
.-= Compute Live´s last blog ..How to Remove Bing Background image =-.

Reply

Trey - Swollen Thumb Entertainment August 4, 2009 at 4:24 am

Hey Typhoon. I’ve heard a lot of these tips before, but the one that got to me was the one about not putting a link in the first paragraph. It makes so much sense, but I never really thought about it before. I mean, if you’re trying to hook your readers with your opening paragraph, and convince them to read the rest of the article, then why would you send them somewhere else in the process? Once you’ve got them reading and interested, then you should put your links in, so that they can do further reading, but only after they read YOUR article because they’re interested in what you have to say. Good point!
.-= Trey – Swollen Thumb Entertainment´s last blog ..Why I Love Game Shows =-.

Reply

Typhoon August 4, 2009 at 6:48 pm

@Trey – Swollen Thumb Entertainment, Thanks for commenting and telling me about what you liked in this article:)

Reply

Adam August 4, 2009 at 4:57 am

Great advice. I usually have an interesting title as well just to generate a bit of interest.

Reply

Typhoon August 4, 2009 at 6:51 pm

@Adam, Ya after having a Catchy and interesting Title. Your 1st paragraph should also catch user’s interest..

Reply

Extreme John August 4, 2009 at 8:49 pm

All of these are excellent tips Typhoon, it actually surprises me that I do a few of those things from time to time. I think I am more of the surprise type for the first paragraph because I don’t really plan out or pre-think about articles I just write’em.
.-= Extreme John´s last blog ..Stumble Upon Me and I Do Follow and Stumble You =-.

Reply

Extreme John August 4, 2009 at 8:49 pm

Oh yeah this is an easy Stumble and Retweet :)
.-= Extreme John´s last blog ..Stumble Upon Me and I Do Follow and Stumble You =-.

Reply

Typhoon August 10, 2009 at 8:20 pm

@Extreme John, Thanks for stumbling and re-tweeting :)

Reply

Keller Hawthorne August 6, 2009 at 12:06 am

This post helped remind me that it’s not all about the content or title – the first paragraph is the first impression.

I started using the practice of bullet-pointing a summary of my post at the top if it’s a really long article. I probably need to go back and spruce up old posts.

Thanks!
.-= Keller Hawthorne´s last blog ..PODCAST: 5 Mistakes Internet Business Owners Make When Choosing a Niche =-.

Reply

Typhoon August 10, 2009 at 8:23 pm

@Keller Hawthorne, I am glad that this article helped reminded an important thing that content or title is not only the main things. There are several things on which you have to look to succeed as a blogger.

Thanks for commenting :/

Reply

Nehh August 6, 2009 at 2:49 pm

Great tips, my blog is mainly related to celebrities.. I add lots of images, but never ask questions,, thanks for the idea… I definitely try asking questions from now onwards. Thanks.
.-= Nehh´s last blog ..Katharine McPhee Blonde =-.

Reply

Typhoon August 7, 2009 at 4:13 pm

Thanks for commenting. Do lemme know if it have any effect on “Celebrity niche”.

Reply

sampaguita August 7, 2009 at 1:32 pm

This is really important, first paragraph is the back up of your catchy title.
I dont know but it does make sense, if people gets bored reading the 1st paragraph they usually quit reading the rest. But this only happens if the reader is judgemental and not really interested on digging the rest of the information.

They usually say “dont judge the book by its cover” but this quote doesnt work out now adays, Things today usually gets sold by its first impression.
Cover markets, just like how title and first paragraph affects your whole article :)
.-= sampaguita´s last blog ..Traffic Generation Methods You Can Use For Your Blog or Website =-.

Reply

Typhoon August 7, 2009 at 3:37 pm

Thanks for your awesome opinion. I really liked reading your comparison between the “Cover of the Book” with this article.

Reply

Balaji | GuideToTech.com August 7, 2009 at 9:56 pm

Hope you have a Read ProBloggers Blogging Book right mate..
All the points are well explained by him mate…
.-= Balaji | GuideToTech.com´s last blog ..Calculator For Windows 7, Vista and XP =-.

Reply

Typhoon August 10, 2009 at 8:18 pm

@Balaji | GuideToTech.com, Naah. Didn’t found time to purchase that book. Well actually I am not a big fan of reading e-books but still try to read some..

Reply

MichaelR from VoIP and Tech Blog August 8, 2009 at 11:14 am

Again, another excellent post from Typhoon. You should really put a print button on your articles so readers can easily print it out. I for one will print this so I can take a look at it when I’m writing my piece.

I’ll make my first paraghraph catchy and interesting the next time.

Michael
.-= MichaelR@VoIP and Tech Blog´s last blog ..Submit Your ATA Model, Let Us Help! =-.

Reply

Term Paper August 10, 2009 at 3:06 pm

Try to convince your reader that by reading this post, he or she will get benefited interims of money, clothing or social networking. It will boost your chances by thousand times.

Reply

Ricky August 10, 2009 at 6:18 pm

I consider image,question and some good statastics will always play an important role in getting good traffic or loyal readers.

Reply

Nihar August 12, 2009 at 11:03 pm

Agree with you…

I didn’t try asking question before. Need to try and see how many comments i get that shows how many readers are seriously reading and giving their inputs.
.-= Nihar´s last blog ..Bhuvan India by ISRO is India’s Google Earth =-.

Reply

Typhoon August 13, 2009 at 7:30 pm

That’s what makes asking question a gr8 way to determine whether your readers are seriously reading point to point or just reading useful and important things and flying away from the blog.

Reply

IndianCashMaker August 13, 2009 at 7:04 pm

hey this one is useful…it will help me a lot
.-= IndianCashMaker´s last blog ..BlogSpot Users- Show Post Comment Form Below the Post =-.

Reply

ramesh August 15, 2009 at 8:45 pm

You got a good experience in this field…keep going man…..nice article…

Reply

Albert Fang August 16, 2009 at 12:55 am

Writing style is everything when it comes to blogging. The concept is being unique and creative and be your self. That is what seperates your self as a blogger from everyone else.
.-= Albert Fabg´s last blog ..Why Marketing Techniques Don’t Sound as Ridiculous =-.

Reply

Online shop hosting September 11, 2009 at 12:14 pm

Great post, yes first paragraph is the most important paragraph in your article. Besides having a great title to peak someone’s interest, your opening needs to be just as interesting and as attention grabbing as your headline.
.-= Online shop hosting´s last blog ..F.A.Q =-.

Reply

Paula from Affiliate Blog Online October 16, 2009 at 6:06 am

Interesting article. It got me thinking about how I start my articles so I went and took a look. I generally start it with “I” …I did this, and Today I did that.

Not sure whether that is a good or bad thing but I am going to start mixing it around a bit and use some of the suggestions you’ve made above.
.-= Paula from Affiliate Blog Online´s last blog ..Blogging Using the Wordpress iPhone Application =-.

Reply

Dwarkanath Rao December 3, 2009 at 7:56 pm

First para is the most important piece of any article. We can even term it as the SOUL of the whole article. And making it good is always our top priority. Thanks for the share. Worth Reading

Reply

Senthil Ramesh December 6, 2009 at 10:59 pm

Everyone should take atmost of the first paragraph. Agreed about it. It takes a lot of effort to make it catchy and make the users read it further. Asking a question or giving the summary of what you are about to say is a great way to win the hearts of people and it is the only thing that can make the users further to move on.
.-= Senthil Ramesh´s last blog ..What Does Google Say About These Websites =-.

Reply

Lucifer from Blog Contests December 6, 2009 at 11:39 pm

Very true it is the deciding factor for the readers : to read it further or not…and so it should be catchy as u said senthil…
.-= Lucifer@Blog Contests´s last blog ..Prizes Worth Over $1200 @FamousBloggers =-.

Reply

Leave a Comment

CommentLuv badge
This blog uses premium CommentLuv which allows you to put your keywords with your name if you have had 3 approved comments. Use your real name and then @ your keywords (maximum of 3)


whos.amung.us