Another way is to think about the overarching theme. If the opening sentence is 'The first star of the night twinkled above the forest', you could create a title like 'The Star above the Forest: A Journey of Discovery'. The star is the key element from the opening, and 'A Journey of Discovery' implies that there's something to be found or learned in the forest under that star, which can be very appealing to readers as it creates a sense of adventure.
Another title could be 'The Lost Locket: Unraveling Family Secrets'. Suppose the best opening sentence was about a locket being found in an attic. This title not only includes the key element from the opening but also adds the intrigue of family secrets that the locket might hold, making the reader want to know more about how the secrets are related to the locket and what they are.
First, recall the details clearly. Think about the people involved, the setting, and the sequence of events. Then, add your emotions. If it was a happy memory, convey that joy. Next, use vivid language. For example, instead of saying 'it was a nice day', say 'the sun was shining brightly and the sky was a brilliant blue'.
Best opening sentences engage readers by creating mystery. For example, if an opening sentence is something like 'The door at the end of the hall had never been opened, not in all the years she had lived there.', it makes the reader wonder what's behind the door and why it's never been opened. This mystery hooks the reader and makes them want to keep reading.
You could begin with a tense moment, like a deadline for solving the case or a threat to the detective. Build up the suspense from the get-go.
Start with a mystery or a cliffhanger. Make the reader curious and eager to know more.
The best opening sentences hook the reader. For example, in 'The Great Gatsby' with 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.' It makes you want to know what that advice was. They also set the tone. A dark opening like in 'Dracula' ('3 May. Bistritz. - Left Munich at 8:35 P.M., on 1st May, arriving at Vienna early next morning...') sets a mysterious and somewhat foreboding tone for the whole horror story.
You need to start with an interesting hook. Maybe it's a mystery, a thrilling event, or a unique character introduction that grabs the reader's attention right away.
They create intrigue. For example, a good opening might pose a question in the reader's mind. If a novel starts with 'The door was ajar, and a strange noise came from within.', it makes the reader wonder what's behind the door and what the noise is.
One great opening sentence could be 'The day the world ended, I was eating a peanut butter sandwich.' It immediately creates a sense of mystery and makes the reader wonder what happened to the world. Another is 'She walked into the room, and everyone knew things would never be the same.' This makes the reader curious about who she is and why she has such an impact. 'In the middle of the night, a strange noise woke me up, and that was the start of the nightmare.' It sets an eerie tone and makes the reader want to find out more about the nightmare.
Good opening sentences can draw the reader in right away. For example, 'The body lay in the middle of the empty room, a single rose on its chest.' This makes the reader wonder about the identity of the body, how it got there, and the significance of the rose. It hooks the reader and makes them want to keep reading to solve the mystery.