Some opening lines introduce a character in an interesting way. Say, 'The girl with eyes like emerald fire stared into the abyss, unafraid.' Here, the description of the character is so captivating that readers are interested in learning more about her and what she's doing staring into the abyss.
By creating mystery. For example, an opening line like 'The old book smelled of secrets long forgotten.' makes readers wonder what those secrets are. They'll keep reading to find out.
They create mystery. For example, a line like 'The letter arrived on a Tuesday, but it was the contents that would change everything.' makes the reader wonder what's in the letter and how it will change things. It's a simple yet effective way to pique curiosity.
They create mystery. For example, in '1984' by George Orwell, the opening line 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' This makes the reader wonder why the clocks are striking thirteen. It's not normal, and it immediately intrigues the reader, making them want to find out more about this strange world.
Some opening lines hook readers by introducing a fascinating character right away. 'Marley was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that.' This opening from 'A Christmas Carol' makes us curious about Marley. We want to know who he was, and why his death is being emphasized so much at the start. It makes us want to read on to find out more about this character and the story that follows.
They create mystery. For example, an opening line like 'She found the letter on a Tuesday, but it was dated a century ago.' makes the reader wonder who she is, what the letter is about, and how it could be dated so long ago.
Well, good opening paragraphs often present a problem or a conflict early on. Humans are naturally drawn to stories that involve some sort of struggle. So when a novel starts with a character facing a difficult situation, like a character being wrongly accused in the very first paragraph, it makes the reader root for the character and eager to see how they will resolve the situation. This sense of investment in the character's journey from the start is what hooks the readers.
They create intrigue. For example, if the first line is 'She found a letter in the attic, addressed to a stranger but filled with words of love.', it makes the reader wonder who the letter is from and who the stranger is. This mystery draws the reader in.
Well, take 'The Great Gatsby' for example. Its opening line 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.' This makes the reader curious about what that advice was. It creates a sense of personal narrative and mystery.
Many use vivid descriptions. By painting a picture in the reader's mind right from the start, like a description of a unique setting or an interesting character. For instance, an opening line that describes a spooky old house makes you want to know what's inside. Also, some opening lines introduce a conflict early on, which makes readers eager to see how it will be resolved.
They create mystery. For example, like the first line in 'The Hunger Games'. A cold bed makes you wonder what happened, and this mystery makes you keep reading to find out. Simple as that.
They create mystery. For example, a line like 'In a dark, forgotten corner of the old house, something stirred.' makes the reader wonder what that something is. It's simple yet effective in making the reader want to know more.