Explaining a Concept

Write the opening sentences.

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Review your invention writing to see if you have already written something that would work to launch your essay, or try out one or two ways of beginning your essay—possibly from the list that follows:

A surprising or provocative quotation (like Toufexis and Lyu)
An anecdote illustrating the concept (like Lehrer)
A concrete example (like Cain)
A paradox or surprising aspect of the concept
A comparison or contrast that relates the concept to something readers know

Your goal should be to engage your readers’ interest from the start, but do not agonize over the first sentences, because you are likely to discover the best way to begin only after you have written a rough draft.