I looked at the first paragraph of over 1000 novels to make this list.
The first few paragraphs below are the ones that surprised me, surprised me, and delighted me. The paragraphs that made me want to read the rest of the book, paragraphs so memorable I would dream of them.
How to write an introduction
Here’s a helpful video tutorial I made some time ago that will help you better understand how to write a paragraph introduction:
.
6 steps to writing an effective paragraph body
There are six main steps to creating a strong paragraph body. Each paragraph has certain steps that are necessary and must appear in a fixed place, for example, as the first sentence. Writers have more flexibility with other stages, which can be delayed or rearranged (more on that later).
-
Decompose folded topic sentences
A subject sentence with too many parts will make you write a lot of support. But as you already know, readers often find paragraphs much harder to digest. The solution is to break complex topic sentences into two or more smaller ideas and then dedicate a separate paragraph to each one.
-
Move transition to next paragraph
Although the body of a paragraph should always begin with a topic sentence and end with a statement of purpose, sometimes with a direct link to the essay’s thesis, you do not need to include the transition in the who paragraph; instead, you can put it just before the topic sentence in the next paragraph.
For example, if the body of a paragraph is already too long, you might want to avoid a transition at the end.
-
Be concise
Body paragraphs should be no longer than half or three-quarters of a page, double-spaced with 1-inch margins in 12-point Times New Roman font. Sometimes it takes a little longer, but in general you should avoid writing paragraphs that fill or stretch out on a page.
-
Go through some of the steps in the previous paragraph
The steps above are a general guide, but you can change the order (up to a point). For example, if your topic sentence is very complex, you may need to break it into several parts, each requiring its own evidence and analysis.
You can also modify steps 3 and 4 by starting with your analysis and then providing evidence. Better yet, consider toggling between providing evidence and providing analysis.
The idea here is that using more than one layout for your paragraphs generally makes the essay more engaging. Remember that monotony can cause a reader to lose interest quickly, so don’t be afraid to change it up.
-
Do not repeat the same information between paragraphs
If similar proofs or analyzes also work for other paragraphs, you should help the reader make those connections. You can do this by including warning phrases such as “As also indicated in the next paragraph” and “As already stated.”
Step 5: Check and Revise
As you research and write, your argument may change focus or direction as you learn more.
For this reason, it’s often a good idea to wait until later in the writing process before writing your introductory paragraph; It may even be the last thing you write
The Five-Paragraph Essay
Although academic papers are more advanced in their own category, a basic high school or college essay has the following standard essay structure: five paragraphs:
Paragraph 1: Introduction Paragraph 2: Group 1 Paragraph 3: Group 2 Paragraph 4: Group 3 Paragraph 5: Conclusion