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Catchy Ways to Start a Science Paper

After researching your topic thoroughly and collecting sources, you must start writing the paper, beginning with your introduction. Creating a hook or a "catchy" start in your introduction will capture the reader's interest in your topic and compel them to read your arguments further. Also, if you begin with "writer's block," or are struggling to figure out where to start, forming a creative hook or catchy passage can also kick-start writing on the rest of your introduction.

Quotation
- Opening with a quote from one of the sources cited can attract interest from the reader. If you plan to use a quote, make sure the quote is valid and from a reputable source. For example: "Robyn Federhoff, Ph.D., of the University of Maryland claims in her report that, 'Seventy-five percent of airborne pathogens originate from nature, specifically from different types of spores.'" If you can't find a catchy quote to use, refer to a famous proverb that is relevant to the topic.
Anecdote
- Opening with an anecdote may be a safe bet if the science paper you are writing is informal, but be cautious if this is a more crucial research term paper. If you decide that an anecdote is appropriate, make sure that it not only relates to your thesis, but also is brief. An anecdote should be a maximum of three sentences. For example, if you are writing about a particular cancer drug and you have a family member with cancer, talk about how the family member took that drug.
Question
- Try opening your science paper with a thoughtful or provocative question that ties to your thesis. Starting with a question helps you focus and direct your introduction to your thesis. For example, "How safe is abortion and how will it affect your body after the procedure?" A broad question allows you to follow up with various statistics you discovered in your research, which can be included in your introduction.
Bold Facts
- You can start your essay by making a bold, broad statement. A simple, bold statement right off the bat is effective in catching your reader's interest immediately. You must be certain, however, that your thesis and arguments are strong enough to back up such a statement. For example, a statement such as, "Abortion is safer than childbirth," should be backed up by your thesis and extensive research.

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