What are some of the best opening paragraphs in fiction and why are they so effective?

Effective opening paragraphs often set the tone for the whole novel. Consider 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker. '3 May. Bistritz. - Left Munich at 8.35 P.M., on 1st May, arriving at Vienna early next morning; should have arrived at 6.46, but the train was an hour late. Buda - Pest seems a wonderful place, from the glimpse which I got of it from the train and the little I could walk through the streets.' This matter - of - fact, journal - like start sets a somewhat eerie, anticipatory tone as if the narrator is unknowingly walking into danger. It makes the reader anticipate something bad is going to happen.

The opening paragraph of '1984' by George Orwell is also great. 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' This simple yet jarring statement creates a sense of unease and a world that is different from our own. It makes the reader curious about what kind of place this is where the normal rules seem to be broken.

One of the best opening paragraphs 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 immediately sets the tone for a story centered around marriage and social status in 19th - century England.

One great opening 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 sets the tone for the story which is much about marriage and social status in the 19th - century English society.

One of the best first lines could be 'There is one mirror in my house. It is behind a sliding panel in the hallway upstairs.' This immediately creates a sense of mystery. It makes the reader wonder why there's only one mirror and why it's hidden. It hooks the reader right from the start, making them want to find out more about the house and the character's situation.

The opening of 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald is also remarkable. 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. “Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had.”' This opening gives us a sense of the narrator's character, his self - reflection, and also sets up the idea of class differences and judgment that are central to the novel.

In 'The Great Gatsby' by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the opening paragraph is quite evocative. 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. “Whenever you feel like criticizing any one,” he told me, “just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had.”' This sets up the narrator's perspective and gives a hint of the moral and social commentary that will be threaded throughout the novel.

Another great one is from 'Neuromancer' by William Gibson. 'The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel.' This opening is very evocative. It creates a dystopian and somewhat surreal image right from the start, drawing the reader into a world that is both familiar and alien at the same time.

Some of the best opening paragraphs in fiction engage readers instantly by using language in a very engaging way. They might use unique and interesting words that you don't often come across. This makes the reader stop and take notice. Also, when the opening paragraph sets up an interesting relationship between characters, it's very engaging. For example, if the first paragraph shows two characters who seem to have a secret between them, the reader will be hooked. And finally, an opening that plays with the reader's emotions, like starting with a sad or exciting moment, can get the reader invested in the story right away.

Well, they often create an immediate sense of unease. For example, a line that starts with a strange or disturbing description like in 'The Exorcist' where it begins with something that gives a feeling of wrongness. It makes the reader want to know what's going on.