10 ways to achieve a winning first paragraph for your article

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.


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81 thoughts on “10 ways to achieve a winning first paragraph for your article”

    1. @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.

  2. 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 =-.

    1. @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 :/

  7. 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 =-.

  8. 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 =-.

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

  10. 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! =-.

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