How to Write an Introduction for a Book
If you are an aspiring book writer, you should know how to write an introduction for a book. The introduction of a book is the beginning section. It is a very delicate section of a book because it is the most read part and it plays a vital role in determining the attitude of your readers and reviewers towards the book. Additionally, the introduction will help potential buyers in determining whether to purchase your book or not- ehow.com.
Therefore, if for instance you have come up with a page-turning novel, the introduction should provide a glimpse of the story in an engaging way so that it can capture the attention of the readers. However, if you are having a writer’s block, writing a compelling introduction for your book can be challenging and a daunting task. Nevertheless, with a guide for writing the introduction this task becomes easy.
A guide on how to write an introduction for a book
- Think from the reader’s perspective
Readers will only buy your book if they find it interesting or appealing to them. For instance, if a reader realizes that a book will help them solve their problem after reading the introduction, they are likely to buy it. Therefore, write your introduction with the readers in mind. Consider the expectations of your readers and make sure that the introduction of your book shows readers that the book will meet them- lisatener.com.
- Have a purpose
Perhaps, before you know how to write an introduction for a book you should know why you should write an introduction for a book. The purpose of writing the introduction of a book is more than just to introduce your piece to the readers. The introduction should also create a good impression. For instance, if you are writing a fictional book, start with action sequence, flashback or dialogue. For a non-fiction book, start with a powerful quote or an interesting fact. Aim at igniting the curiosity and interest of your readers.
- Engage in some research
Before you write the introduction for your book, go through several books in the library or local store to find out how various book introductions are written. Take notes of the prologues that capture your attention and interest. Take time to determine why they captured your attention and interest. This way, you will know how ideas should flow in the introduction of a book to make it interesting to your readers.
- Consider style and tone
Each writer has a unique style and tone. Maintaining a style and tone is what will make your book introduction unique. Therefore, come up with an introduction that depicts a unique style and tone.
- Be informative
The introduction should inform readers about the book. Therefore, pick a theme that runs throughout the book and provide a snapshot of it to your readers in the introduction. For instance, you can lure your readers by focusing on the dark secret, main character or the hidden truths in the book. An introduction with such a snapshot is likely to intrigue readers and lure them into buying or reading the book.
- Be persuasive
The introduction should persuade readers to read the book. You can use literary skills to incorporate imagery in the introduction and create the desired impact. Use bold statements to engage readers throughout the introduction.
- Highlight the key features of the book
Format is very important for non-fictional books. Therefore, highlight features that distinguish your book in the introduction. Let readers see what differentiates your book from the others that are in the same market or category. Also provide information about you as a writer and relevant expertise to enhance your credibility and authority on the topic. Include significant certified experts and research staffs who helped in compiling data and writing the book.
- Use a cliffhanger to keep your readers entertained
Use tragedy, drama or comedy as a hook for your readers. If your book is a narrative, include appealing characteristics that readers will be interested in.
- Get another person’s opinion
Your introduction is intended for the readers of your book. To determine if you have written an effective introduction, get the opinion of another person. This should be a trusted person. Another person can add another, important dimension to your introduction.
- Edit
Readers will form their first impression about your book after reading the introduction. As such, the introduction should be free of errors if you want readers to form a positive impression about the entire book. Taking a few minutes to proofread, revise and edit the introduction can make all the difference.
What a good book introduction should accomplish
There are attributes that an introduction by a writer who knows how to write an introduction for a book should include or should accomplish.
A good introduction for a book should:
- Guide and inspire readers
The introduction should be like a promise to the readers. It should tell them what they should expect from the entire book. Therefore, start the introduction with a hook that provides answers to the basic question of the reader. This question is “what is in store for me?” You can start with shocking facts, statistics or a question that summarizes the book. You can also start with an overview of your book. A good introduction should be specific and clear while guiding readers and inspiring them to read on.
- Give an interesting story behind the book
A good introduction should explain the reason for writing the book. Some readers will not read your book unless they know the motivation behind it. For instance, if your book talks about pregnancy nutrition, some readers will only read a book after knowing what made you write it. This can be complications that you had during pregnancy or delivery due to poor nutrition. Therefore, include unique concerns and challenges that may have compelled you to write your book in the introduction- writersrelief.com.
- Use the right language and approach
Non-fiction books should use exposition language for the introductions. An experienced writer who knows how to write an introduction for a book will tell you that jumping into the center of a scene or using an anecdote works best for a feature or a magazine article. For books however, you need to get into real business immediately by telling readers what they will get by reading the book. Therefore, if you start the book with a story or an anecdote, ensure that it is pithy. Write about the topic of the book and how you arrived at it. This could be an epiphany that followed an arduous struggle, a grand revelation, or a simple realization. Ensure that the story that you tell in the introduction entices the readers- nightowlspress.com.
More on how to write an introduction for a book
- Be open or mysterious
You can be mysterious in the introduction of your book or open but you cannot be both. A mysterious introduction is effective because it creates suspense. However, a mysterious introduction might not work for your book. In that case, be open. With an open introduction, you introduce your characters directly and describe them.
- Introduce some action
Do not be coy in the introduction. You might think that giving readers a little teaser will be effective than giving them too much. This is not true. To some readers, this is a turn off. There are readers who like introductions that state the thesis of the book boldly. Such readers want provocative introductions rather than half-revelations. Therefore, introduce some action in your introduction to keep your story going and interesting to most readers.
- Match the style of the introduction with the style of the entire book
As stated earlier, every writer has a unique style and tone that differentiate them from other writers. Ensure that the style and tone that you use for your introduction matches the style and tone of the other sections of the book or the actual text. For instance, if you are writing a humorous book, do not start with a moody introduction.
- Finally…
Make your introduction simple, clear and concise. The introduction is not a place for long-winded descriptions, loads of statistics or tangents. Every word of the introduction should count. Therefore, do not use many, unnecessary words to make a simple point. Instead, choose your words wisely to ensure that you only use engaging, clear language. Always have the readers in mind while writing the introduction and use good sample introductions as your writing guide. You can find a book introduction sample here.
Get online help with an introduction for a book
If you encounter difficulties while writing the introduction for your book, follow the above guide and hints on how to write an introduction for a book. Once you have written the introduction of your book, contact us for professional editing help. Alternatively, continue reading more guidelines on this blog or visit our home page for more information about our writing and editing services.
Online Sources
http://www.ehow.com/how_5847672_write-introduction-book.html
http://www.lisatener.com/2009/02/how-to-write-an-introduction-think-like-your-readers/
http://writersrelief.com/blog/2010/05/how-why-and-when-to-write-an-introduction-for-a-nonfiction-book/
http://www.nightowlspress.com/how-to-write-a-book-introduction-that-captures-your-readers
http://www.wikihow.com/Sample/Book-Introduction