Popular Magazine Articles, Article Review Example

Most of the times, the article readers, are normally interested with the first paragraph of an article to enable them know what the article is all about. Most of the journalists use it to capture the mind of the readers. The need for an effective introductory paragraph grabs the readers by the throat and keeps them hooked to the rest of the article.

Considering this article “Ways to Make Work Better” from the magazine of Readers Digest, a story is told of Eric Westermann who started his career as an archival photographer. In the process of doing this, he did not know he would be removing bone fragments and teeth from the walls … of scalp from the ceilings … of detached fragments toes and ears at murder scenes (Pawlik-Kienlen). The use of such words is more involving to the reader in that the reader will want to know what happened to Erick after starting his carrier. This effective introduction enables readers to have a desire to buy the next magazine from the same writers. It leaves a trail of breadcrumbs throughout the whole article in that the mind of the reader will not rest until he has eaten every crumb.

It also offers a test of what the article is all about. Therefore, by using of anecdotes and stimulating quotations, the author is able to engage the mind of the reader. An excellent introduction also startles a reader. Using the a quotation from the above example,” he did not know he would be removing teeth and bone fragments from the walls” leaves a reader with a desire to understand  how he removed the teeth and borne fragments from the walls.

In addition, asking a proactive question in an introductory statement, in an article, catches the reader’s off-guard with a bit of controversy. This makes them go deep and understand the contents of the magazines. In my opinion, the writer of the article is successful by using a correct mix of appropriate examples and anecdotes. The introductory paragraph of the article captures the mind of a reader by the use of quotations and provocative questions posed to the readers.

Work Cited

Pawlik-Kienlen, Laurie. How to Write an Introduction – Examples of Leads That Hook Readers. theadventurouswriter.com, 2008-2011. Web. 21.05.2011.