What makes the 10 best first lines in fiction so effective?

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.

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.

One great first line is 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' from George Orwell's '1984'. It immediately sets an off - kilter mood. The idea of clocks striking thirteen is strange and makes the reader wonder what kind of world this is.

The 23 best last lines in fiction are special because they are the final note in a symphony of words. They can bring a sense of finality to the complex web of characters, plots, and themes. They might offer a new insight into the story, something that wasn't obvious until that last moment. Some of them are so well - crafted that they become iconic, like the last line of 'Moby - Dick' which has been quoted and analyzed for years. They are the last taste the reader has of the fictional world, and it has to be strong and distinct.

The best short horror stories are effective because they play on our deepest fears. Take 'The Monkey's Paw'. The fear of getting what we wish for in a horrible way is something that many people can relate to. They also use atmosphere well. In 'The Masque of the Red Death', the descriptions of the different rooms and the overall setting build a tense and spooky atmosphere. Moreover, they often have unexpected twists, like in 'The Lottery' where the seemingly ordinary town has a shockingly cruel tradition.

Some of the best first lines in fiction include 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times' from 'A Tale of Two Cities'. This line immediately sets a contrastive and thought - provoking mood. Another great one is 'Call me Ishmael' from 'Moby - Dick', which is a simple yet powerful introduction to the narrator. And 'All children, except one, grow up' from 'Peter Pan' which gives a sense of the special nature of the story's main character right from the start.

One of the best first lines could be 'It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.' from George Orwell's '1984'. It immediately sets an off - kilter mood, making the reader wonder about this strange world where the clocks do something unexpected. Another great one is 'Call me Ishmael.' from 'Moby - Dick'. It's a simple yet powerful invitation for the reader to follow Ishmael on his journey. And 'All children, except one, grow up.' from 'Peter Pan' is also excellent as it creates a sense of mystery about the one child who doesn't grow up.

The best marketing stories are effective because they connect with emotions. For example, Dove's 'Real Beauty' campaign. It tapped into the insecurities of women about their body image in a positive way. By showing real - looking women in their ads, they made women feel seen and understood, which led to increased brand loyalty.

One effective first line 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 line immediately sets the tone for a story about marriage and social expectations in the 19th - century English society.

One of the best first lines 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 line immediately sets the tone for a story about marriage and social status in the Regency era.