How to Start Writing: 3 Great Ways to Open Any Piece
Do you sometimes find it hard to write the first paragraph of an article (or any other kind of writing)? If so, don't despair. Many people suffer from the same problem, including me, but there is a remedy! Here are 3 effective ways to start any type of writing.
1. Controversy is a powerful weapon
Being controversial can be a great way to start a piece, but it can sometimes kill your content, so use it cautiously. People love to either agree or argue with you, and this makes your writing feel more vivid and alive.
Take, for instance, my article on the metric system in America. It drew more reader responses than almost anything else I wrote. Why? Because it made people either agree or disagree with me. You can never please everyone!
2. Ask questions
By asking your readers a question, you are in a way "grabbing them by the eyeballs" and almost forcing them to read the rest of your content. Did you notice how I started this article?
3. Tell a (useful) story
Everybody has a story to tell. If you have a story that's relevant and has a good point to be drawn from it, why not use it? We all love to hear good stories, but make sure the story isn't made up. Nobody wants to be fooled!
If you're stuck before you even reach the first paragraph, read our tips on how to overcome writer's block.