What do you think is the part of an article that is most difficult to write?
The introduction?
The body?
The conclusion?
According to Colombian writer and journalist Gabriel García Márquez:
“One of the most difficult things [to write] is the first paragraph. I have spent many months on a first paragraph, and once I get it, the rest just comes out very easily. In the first paragraph you solve most of the problems with your book. The theme is defined, the style, the tone.”
Can you relate with him?
Some of you probably do!
That’s why today, we’ll focus on how you can write coherent introductions…
Understanding How Introductions Shape Reading
Writing is like storytelling, even when the topic is serious or technical.
After all, readers want to know: “Why should I care? Where are we going with this?”
Yet too often, writers make readers wait too long for answers.
According to Joseph Bizup and Joseph M. Williams in their book, “Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace,” when a document (or even just a paragraph) fails to announce its main point early, it leaves readers disoriented and mentally exhausted.
They illustrate this with a study involving sixth-grade students learning to distinguish facts from opinions.
Here’s the first version of the summary:
“Thirty sixth-grade students wrote essays that were analyzed to determine the effectiveness of eight weeks of training to distinguish fact from opinion. That ability is an important aspect of making sound arguments of any kind. In an essay written before instruction began, the writers failed almost completely to distinguish fact from opinion. In an essay written after four weeks of instruction, the students visibly attempted to distinguish fact from opinion, but did so inconsistently. In three more essays, they distinguished fact from opinion more consistently, but never achieved the predicted level of performance. In a final essay written six months after instruction ended, they did no better than they did in their pre-instruction essays. Their training had some effect on their writing during the instruction period, but it was inconsistent, and six months after instruction it had no measurable effect.”
The key idea—that the training had no lasting effect—doesn’t appear until the very end. The result?
The passage feels like it meanders. Readers don’t fully understand the point until they’ve worked through all the data, and only then can they reframe the earlier details in hindsight.
The second version of this summary, however, flips the order:
“In this study, thirty sixth-grade students were taught to distinguish fact from opinion. They did so successfully during the instruction period, but the effect was inconsistent and less than predicted, and six months after instruction ended, the instruction had no measurable effect. In an essay written before instruction began, the writers failed almost completely to distinguish fact from opinion. In an essay written after four weeks of instruction, the students visibly attempted to distinguish fact from opinion, but did so inconsistently. In three more essays, they distinguished fact from opinion more consistently, but never achieved the predicted level of performance. In a final essay written six months after instruction ended, they did no better than they did in their pre instruction essay. We thus conclude that short-term training to distinguish fact from opinion has no consistent or long-term effect.”
As you can see, this version begins with a brief introduction that lays out the study, the result, and the conclusion. Then, it moves into the details.
The effect is immediate: Readers are oriented, engaged, and able to follow the logic from the start.
To fix this common problem, Bizup and Williams offer a toolkit of six core principles designed to help writers like you create clarity at every level—from full documents to short sections.
These principles can be used not only when writing but also when reading something dense and trying to make sense of it.
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Start Strong and Clear
Each document should begin with a short, easily grasped introduction that presents the central problem and points to the solution. Readers should know when the introduction ends and the main discussion begins.
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Lead with the Main Point
Don’t save the best for last. The introduction should end with the key point and main themes that the document will develop. Think of it as giving readers a mental framework before diving into the details.
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Use Headings with Purpose
When possible, use headings that reflect the key themes of the section. This gives readers a preview of what’s to come and allows them to skim and navigate effectively.
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Repeat Key Themes
Throughout the document, echo the main themes introduced at the beginning. This helps readers stay anchored and reinforces your core message.
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Introduce Every Section Clearly
Each new section or subsection should begin with a short segment that introduces the section’s focus. End that intro with a sentence that clearly states both the section’s point and the key concepts to follow.
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Structure for Readability
Whether you’re writing a paragraph, section, or entire document, the point should come at the end of the introduction—just before the longer, more complex information begins. That way, the reader sees the destination before embarking on the journey.
Building a Better Reading (and Writing) Experience
Some writers fear that if they “give away” their point too early, readers won’t stick around.
However, Bizup and Williams argue the opposite:
When readers know the why up front, they’re more likely to stay engaged.
Just like a good teacher previews a lesson before diving into details, effective writers guide readers with clarity and intention.
… and the result of that?
Writing that feels organized, persuasive, and even graceful—no matter how complex the topic!
The bottom line?
Clear writing isn’t just about sounding smart but also about being generous.
When you structure your work with clarity, your readers will feel less like they’re trudging through molasses and more like they’re cruising down a well-lit road with helpful signs.
So, whether you’re writing a research paper, a business proposal, or an essay for school, remember:
Begin with a clear intro, state your point early, signal your themes, and guide your reader every step of the way.
That’s not just good writing; that’s writing with grace.
About The Dynamic Marketing Communiqué’s
“Wednesdays: Write with the Pen of the Masters”
Who doesn’t find content writing to be a skill that requires a lot of practice and effort?
In fact, many people may even find copywriting very intimidating.
However, you can be a good writer as long as you have the right tools. You won’t always get things right the first time, but with enough time and practice, you’ll get the hang of it!
When you write copy for any brand or for your company, your aim is to make an impact and…
… to get people to remember.
Getting people to remember means getting consumers to buy your product or avail of your service.
… and when you get your content to deliver the results you want, THAT is great copy!
Every Wednesday, we publish content based on tips and insights from the masters of content writing, copywriting, and storytelling.
Become more familiar with ways to write great copy that helps you gain ROI from your efforts, drive profitability, and achieve your business goals.
Learn time-tested tactics that better capture the attention of your target audience, and maximize the benefits of great copywriting.
Hope you find this week’s insights interesting and helpful.
Stay tuned for next Wednesday’s “Write with the Pen of the Masters!”
Cheers,
Dyane Diasanta
Senior Content Writer
Valens Dynamic Marketing Capabilities
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