The Opening Paragraph
The purpose of the opening paragraph is two-fold;
1. introduce your subject
2. get to your thesis
The opening paragraph ought to be succinct enough to “cut to the chase.” You don’t want a long, drawn ought
paragraph or you’ll lose your audience.
Many creative writing programs say to begin with a snappy opening sentence to really grab your reader
by the nose and draw him/her into the writing. For your purposes, avoid snappy and work for scholarly instead.
Other, more sophomoric styles of introduction suggest that you create a “map” or list of the things you are
going to say or points you are going to include in your essay body. This method of opening may be fine for
science and perhaps for history (though rather dull history that would be) but do not employ this method in
literature. It is dull, boring and omnipresent.
There are two styles you can safely employ in order to introduce your subject but one way or the other
 it is imperative that you name your author and title of the work you are addressing early in the
paragraph (within the first two sentences) so that readers know what work you are discussing.
It would be advisable also to mention any major concepts that you will bring up in your thesis earlier in the
opening paragraph as well.
The two styles are like two fighting styles in kendo. Each employs three sections, with one to three sentences per
section. They are as follows;
Introductory style
Here the opening section is a neutral, non-threatening section which includes the title, author and perhaps a major
concept of the thesis. The second section narrows to the thesis, introducing any other concepts or focusing the
concept more closely to the thesis statement. The third section and final sentence is the thesis statement. Don’t
be afraid of using pronouns or connecting words in the thesis so that the flow of the paragraph is more smoothe.
1. neutral opening sentence
2. narrowing sentence
3. thesis
For instance,
In his great work, The Iliad, Homer introduces the reader to his petulant main character, Achilles. This
Greek hero, though exceeding in martial prowess, suffers from a debilitating infection of pride, or hubris as the
Greeks called it. Such infection cripples Achilles in the worst way. Indeed, Achilles’ hubris blinds him to the
suffering of other people.
Contradictory style
Here the opening section consists of a statement to the contrary of the thesis. Don’t flat out refute the thesis, but
rather offer an alternative opinion or vision which will prove false once the thesis is set forth. Remember to
include title and author. In the second section you suggest the flaw inherent in the opening statement by pointing
out a contradictory fact or noticing a nuance which would stand against the opening statement. The third section
and final sentence is, again, your thesis.
1. statement contradictory to thesis
2. refutation of contradictory statement
3. thesis
For instance,
In Homer’s great work, The Iliad, the pride of the petulant main character, Achilles, might seem to be
unconnected to the death and sorrow that ensues in the story. Contrary to this, however, Achilles himself claims
that his pride, or hubris, has brought about the death of Patroclus and his own consequent suffering. Pride is the
very reason that Achilles cannot see his own suffering until it is too late. Indeed, Achilles’ hubris blinds him to
the suffering of other people.