A classic example is 'Call me Ishmael.' from Herman Melville's 'Moby - Dick'. It's simple yet so effective. It makes the reader wonder who Ishmael is, and it gives an air of a personal account about to be shared. Just these three words are enough to start the reader on a journey into the story.
One great first line is from 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens: 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.' This line immediately sets a tone of contrast and complexity, making the reader curious about what the story will entail.
A great first line is 'All children, except one, grow up.' from J.M. Barrie's 'Peter Pan'. It's simple yet profound. It makes you curious about that one child who doesn't grow up. It also has a touch of melancholy as it seems to suggest that growing up is the norm and this one child is an exception, which sets the stage for the magical and somewhat bittersweet story of Peter Pan.
In Charlotte Bronte's 'Jane Eyre', the line 'There was no possibility of taking a walk that day.' starts the story. It gives a sense of confinement which is relevant to Jane's situation as an orphan at Gateshead. It makes the reader curious about why she can't go for a walk and what kind of life she leads.
One great first line is from 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen: 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' This line sets the stage for the story's focus on marriage and social class in 19th - century England.
One great first line is from 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen: 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' It immediately sets the satirical and society - observing tone of the novel.
One great opening line could be 'It was a dark and stormy night.' This classic line immediately sets a mood of mystery and unease. It makes the reader wonder what might be happening in such a forbidding setting.
The opening line of '1984' by George Orwell, 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' It's a very striking line. The idea of the clocks striking thirteen is abnormal and immediately creates a sense of unease and a dystopian atmosphere.
One great first line could be 'In a world where magic slept beneath the surface, an ordinary boy was about to change everything.' It immediately sets up a world with magic and a character who will be important.
One great first line could be 'The last man on earth sat alone in a room. There was a knock on the door.' It immediately grabs the reader's attention and sets up a mysterious and intriguing scenario. It makes you wonder who could be knocking if he's the last man, creating a sense of suspense right from the start.
One of the best first lines is from 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen: 'It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.' This line immediately sets the tone for a story about marriage and social status in the Regency era.