Do you want to captivate a reader? or so you just want to get your point across? I want to know how much importance [you] place on the first paragraph of a thread. How much of what's stated there in decides weather or not you choose to respond. And If you take an interest in a given thread how much of your interest is sparked by that notorious first paragraph or less.

I generally read the first paragraph, and choose whether to read further based on that. Too much stuff on this site to read everything.

I don't have a lot of time on my hands. If the purpose seems vague or indeterminate in the first paragraph of anything, I move on to something else. There's a lot to learn in this world, and it doesn't bother me to allow some potential knowledge to fall by the wayside, if I can attain greater knowledge elsewhere. I'll always opt for for brevity, simplicity, and efficiency in presentation over anything else.

-FT.

I'm an English major and it was drilled into us that the 1st paragraph should convey ALL that a written material was to convey. The rest fills out the 1st paragraph.

It's very important, ideally it should also be brief, as others had said I would prefer the first paragraph to be an interesting summarised overview of what is to follow.

I dont know about may ATS'ers but I like some specific subjects and even some specifics members.

Is like buying something...there are ATS members that distinguish themselves for the quality of their threads, the subjects they bring to the site and their knowledge or opinion on the subject.

I don like members that take stance on the issues and set up their thread for a good debate, I might not agree with them but will comment on the subject and thats how the exchange of ideas begins.

I'm not that big into the hole grammar thing as me myself I'm not a native english speaker as many members arent either so grammar itself is not a tool to measure someones knowledge or intelligence on a particular subject, instead I look to the message the person is trying to convey.

I look down at other posts first off and see if anyone posts an explanation.
I figure if they can understand the content there might be hope for me.
Also if there is a glint of my contribution in anyway I'll figure out something.
I usually go beyond two lines unless they are that good.
However I do go back and read the OP.
ED: I don't like following posts that break up posts and give separate
answers. We should digest where ideas are coming from in a entire
rhetoric.


[edit on 10/29/2009 by TeslaandLyne]

Yeah, you need to catch the eye of a potential reader quickly..

The thread title should be the essence.

The first paragraph a potted summary of the topic.

Then the body of the post fills in more detail still.

I like to consider myself a detective of sorts. If the clues aren't obvious I don't give up on the case.

Some of the least intelligent people I have ever met have been known to say some of the rarest most brilliant things I have ever heard.

I don't mind sifting through the haystack to find the needle.

If no needle is there I usualy will provide ample needling to the person who wrote the Post!

There are some truy brilliant and learned people on ATS, some self taught gifted people on ATS, and some functional illiterates here on ATS and from time to time they all have something relevant in my humble opinion to say.

For instance I had no idea Intrepid is a Major in the English Army and they drilled his excellent writing skills into him!

Who would have thunk it!

If the opening is clear and properly formatted, there is a higher chance that other ATS members will consider reading the rest of the article. It sets a good impression. If the opening is very badly worded and the grammar is mostly poor, many people will be put off by it and probably decide not to read further.

Sounds strange, but it can sometimes be better to write an introductory paragraph at the end. Get all of your ideas down, structure paragraphs and group ideas accordingly, and then make an opening paragraph after establishing which information you want to include. This really does work wonders for some people.

The first paragraph is not the be-all and end-all that many people claim it to be, but the potential to captivate and attract uncertain readers is better if yours is of high quality. Do remember that the middle paragraphs are usually seen as the "meat" of the pieces, and thus more time and effort should be placed on these. It's all good and well to have a strong intro and conclusion, but if the body is weak, then this detracts from the overall quality of the article.

Originally posted by wiredamerican
The first paragraph matters to me. When I read threads that include "mods please move this thread if you need to thanks" or "i searched for this topic but I could not find it" or apologies if this topic has already been posted"----these sentences are turn-offs.

Whats even more powerful than the first paragraph are pictures. People love pictures.

Same. I get pretty annoyed when I see people say stuff like that. It is a weakness of mine where I lose patience to read the rest. There is a difference between stating "Warning, graphic footage to follow" and "If the mods want they can move it..." The first is courteous and necessary for the T&Cs, but the second is simply stating the obvious!

[edit on 2/11/2009 by Dark Ghost]