<p>i just read somebody say to make an essay start in a unique and interesting way you should right it normally then literally switch the first and last paragrahps, just making a few changes so it sounds nice. all the college essays i've read always start out strangely, and since i usually just like to write in a very straight forward, non-creative way, i thought this could be a great technique to use. is it?</p>
<p>ha i guess it’s a bad idea</p>
<p>That sounds really stupid. It might work in some cases, but it would require you to be creative in adapting the paragraphs anyway.</p>
<p>there’s a reason quentin tarantino didn’t go to college</p>
<p>well maybe not exactly switch them but just make it so it starts with the end like in medias res</p>
<p>Think about your favorite scenes in movies. Now think of how they start. There you go. </p>
<p>Some of my examples:</p>
<ol>
<li>Devil Wears Prada- Paris scence. This whole section of the movie begins with a slideshow of Paris set to a U2 song. Very chique.<br></li>
<li>Bourne Identity- entire opener. We go along on the journey with Matt. We kinda figure out before he does what he is, but the first few minutes we are just as confused as Matt is.<br></li>
<li>Rounders- opener. Matt Damon (again) collects stacks of hundred dollar bills hidden throughout his house. He then goes to a shady basement to play poker. We know immediately from the stacks of hundos that this is probably some vice.</li>
<li>Star Wars- binary sunset. Classic. Epic. Profound. Luke ponders the future while staring at a binary sunset. This captures the serenity of Luke (future Jedi, so he should be collected), the setting of Star Wars (binary sunsets don’t happen on earth). And, to boot, this is all set against the slow Jedi theme.<br></li>
</ol>
<p>I’d add others, but I don’t know how much they’d help you. But I hope you get the point. If you’re not a movie buff, think of favorite books. Or songs. Or whatever.</p>
<p>Writing an intriguing essay starts with a hook, that’s true. So what’s a hook? Short factual statement. A question? A statistic. A sound…Yikes! There are many others, but it’s all about the essay as a whole. Does it flow? Do your readers want to read more? My suggestion: don’t try to sound cool or creative if that’s not your style. Capture your “voice”, write about your passion, and have fun. That’s how to start it, develop it, and end it.</p>
<p>ok yea trying something new for the most important essays of my life probably isn’t a good idea. i’ll just do what i always do, but make sure the first couple of sentences are extra interesting.</p>
<p>^thisssss :)</p>
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<p>True. To add, if you want to make your essay real interesting, make your hook some sort of surprising, maybe controversial statement, that somehow ties to your essay.</p>
<p>Example, my friend started his essay by saying “I’m an addict.” Who would predict that he’d then go on to talk about how he’s addicted to mountain dew because he stays up late because he’s such a perfectionist. Is he really an addict? I guess it’s true in a way. But not in the common sense. So still true, but surprising, controversial, and makes the reader want to keep going.</p>
<p>Most schools have writing centers that are free of charge to students, where upper year students help with thesis development, grammar, and helping to understand the development of essays and understand what professors are looking for when they mark!</p>