How to write an effective Opening Paragraph

EXAMPLE 1
Nigel grabs his glass, and stares into the sun filled room, like a seaman searching for land. Not for the first time in a couple of years he’s scowling deeply. Their oscillating relationship had begun in this sunlit space. Thinking back, he loses count of the times since then they have tried to draw a line; to move on; to get on with their lives.

EXAMPLE 2
The force of the front door slamming closed blew an untidy heap of paperwork into a snowstorm of bills and circulars. Brad burst into the living room, nostrils steaming like a bull and grabbed her hard by both shoulders.
“Molly”, he screamed, “you selfish woman!”
“Why did you do it? I can’t believe it, you murdering cow.” He slapped her sharply across the face, his own cheeks stinging with rage.

EXAMPLE 3
“True! – nervous – very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses – not destroyed – not dulled them. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am I mad? Hearken! and observe how healthily – how calmly I can tell you the whole story.”

TASK: After reading the three examples you need to write a paragraph for the following: 1. Which example was more effective and why? 2. Which opening paragraph successfully HOOKED the reader and why? Provide an example? 3. Identify how the examples could be changed to be more effective.

How to write an effective Opening Paragraph

EXAMPLE 1
Nigel grabs his glass, and stares into the sun filled room, like a seaman searching for land. Not for the first time in a couple of years he’s scowling deeply. Their oscillating relationship had begun in this sunlit space. Thinking back, he loses count of the times since then they have tried to draw a line; to move on; to get on with their lives.

EXAMPLE 2
The force of the front door slamming closed blew an untidy heap of paperwork into a snowstorm of bills and circulars. Brad burst into the living room, nostrils steaming like a bull and grabbed her hard by both shoulders.
“Molly”, he screamed, “you selfish woman!”
“Why did you do it? I can’t believe it, you murdering cow.” He slapped her sharply across the face, his own cheeks stinging with rage.

EXAMPLE 3
“True! – nervous – very, very dreadfully nervous I had been and am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease had sharpened my senses – not destroyed – not dulled them. Above all was the sense of hearing acute. I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. How, then, am I mad? Hearken! and observe how healthily – how calmly I can tell you the whole story.”

TASK: After reading the three examples you need to write a paragraph for the following: 1. Which example was more effective and why? 2. Which opening paragraph successfully HOOKED the reader and why? Provide an example? 3. Identify how the examples could be changed to be more effective.