How can you write an introduction and conclusion that grab attention?

How can you write an introduction and conclusion that grab attention? This is a question that many writers face, especially when they want to engage their readers and persuade them to read on. In this article, you will learn some tips and strategies to craft effective introductions and conclusions that hook your audience and leave a lasting impression.

1 Why are introductions and conclusions important?

Introductions and conclusions are like bookends that hold your content together. They set the tone, context, and purpose of your writing, and they help your readers to follow your main points and arguments. A good introduction should capture your reader's attention, introduce your topic and thesis, and provide a roadmap of what you will cover. A good conclusion should summarize your key takeaways, restate your thesis, and provide a call to action or a final thought.

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Melynda Kloc

I help founders, CEOs, and visionaries uncover their story and share their truth to create authentic and lasting connections with their clients, customers, and fans.
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Gotta grab the attention to get the reader to participate in the first place! The introduction, or hook, sets the tone. If the hook falls flat, readers aren't going to read beyond that. The same goes for the conclusion. If you aren't relating to or convincing readers to take the action that you want them to take, they're just leaving the site without taking that action. It's important to incorporate a CTA into the conclusion so that readers know exactly what you expect them to do next. And you need to write it in a manner that they WANT to do what you want them to do.

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2 How to write an attention-grabbing introduction

Introducing your writing with an attention-grabbing hook can be an effective way to engage your reader. You can use a surprising fact or statistic, a relevant quote or anecdote, a provocative question or statement, or a bold claim to draw your reader in. Make sure the hook is relevant, credible, and concise; avoid clichés and generalizations. After the hook, introduce your topic and provide some background information to explain why it is important or interesting. Then, state your thesis statement - the main idea or argument of your writing - which should be clear, specific, and debatable. Lastly, preview the main points that you will discuss in your body paragraphs to give your reader an understanding of the structure and direction of your writing.

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Rosalynn Whitehead, MA HRD

Trainer | Educator | Editor | Technical Writer
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“Michael Jackson is alive!” Not really, but that’s the type of hook I use to draw the attention of my college students when I’m introducing them to the basic structure of an essay. It caught your attention, right? From there I ask them to create a truthful hook: I’ve gained their attention and several students are contributing as we develop the introduction. That one sentence, that engaging hook, allows them to see how important it is to grab the reader's attention from the beginning. That sentence inspires them to use their creativity as they write their own essays.

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3 How to write an attention-grabbing conclusion

A clincher is an effective way to write an attention-grabbing conclusion. It can be a summary of your main points and thesis, a recommendation for action or further research, a thought-provoking question or statement, a quote or anecdote that reinforces your message, or a twist that reveals a new insight. Make sure your clincher is relevant, memorable, and concise, and avoid introducing new information or repeating yourself. Your conclusion should provide closure and completeness to your writing by reflecting your main points and thesis instead of merely restating your introduction.

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4 How to tailor your introductions and conclusions to different audiences and purposes

When writing introductions and conclusions, you should consider your specific audience and purpose. Depending on the writing situation, you may need to adjust your tone, style, and content to suit the expectations of your reader. For instance, an academic essay may require a formal and objective tone, credible sources, and a standard format. Whereas a blog post may need a casual and personal tone, images or videos, and a catchy headline. Additionally, for a sales letter you should use a persuasive and emotional tone; highlight the benefits and features of your product or service; and include a clear call to action.

To tailor your introductions and conclusions to different audiences and purposes, ask yourself questions such as who is your reader, what do you want to achieve with your writing, how can you hook the reader's attention from the start, how can you summarize your main points in a concise way, and how can you leave a lasting impression on the reader? By answering these questions, you can craft effective introductions and conclusions that grab attention and achieve your writing objectives.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you write an introduction and conclusion that grab attention?

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1 Why are introductions and conclusions important?

2 How to write an attention-grabbing introduction

3 How to write an attention-grabbing conclusion

4 How to tailor your introductions and conclusions to different audiences and purposes

5 Here’s what else to consider

Writing

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How can you write an introduction and conclusion that grab attention?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Why are introductions and conclusions important?

2 How to write an attention-grabbing introduction

3 How to write an attention-grabbing conclusion

4 How to tailor your introductions and conclusions to different audiences and purposes

5 Here’s what else to consider

Writing

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