Eng-103 Introduction Paragraph Notes - Recording-2025-01-26T06:50:58.592Z

Engaging the Reader

• To draw readers into a fictional world, start with elements that spark intrigue or conflict.

• Present a question or a scenario that creates expectation and curiosity without immediate resolution.

Starting with Conflict

• Example: "He couldn't drive on or turn back. Floodwaters covered the road in both directions. Within a matter of minutes, his life would be changed forever."

• This beginning raises immediate tension and questions about the character's fate.

Universal Themes

• Great stories resonate with fundamental human needs:

  • Need for love

  • Need for respect

  • Need for control over one's life

  • Need to overcome hardships

  • Need to find meaning in life

• Emotional engagement is key; the reader must care about the characters and their journey.

Avoid Long Descriptions

• Jump straight into action rather than lengthy descriptions to capture interest.

• Focus on dilemmas or goals that the protagonist needs to confront.

Introducing the Protagonist's Dilemma

• After engaging the reader, delve into character details and the fictional world.

• Use a character's existing attributes to create a dramatic problem they must solve.

• Ensure the dramatic conflict ties back into the central theme of the story.

The Connection Between Beginning and End

• The hook at the beginning should relate to the story's conclusion, creating a coherent narrative.

• Questions posed in the beginning should find resolution by the end, providing closure and satisfaction to the reader.