opening line
Story's initial words
An opening line is the first sentence of a written work—a novel, essay, or speech.
Good opening lines hook readers immediately: "Call me Ishmael", "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times".
The term extends to conversation starters, especially romantic approaches: He tried a cheesy opening line at the bar.
In performance, an opening line is what a comedian or speaker leads with to establish rapport.
- hookCurved catching device
- attention grabberThing that draws notice
- introductionPreliminary section or presentation
- first impressionInstant assessment of someone
- icebreakerTension-easing social activity
greeting · salutation · preamble · book proposal · conversation starter · pitch · call to action · lead · beginning · once upon a time · chess · gambit · overture · curtain raiser · prologue · threshold · invitation · flirtation
- Pitch Elementshook, tagline, value proposition, unique selling point, call to action
- story openersfirst chapter, chapter one, prologue, beginning, intro
- gamblinggamble, gambling, casinos, casino, bets
- horse racingthoroughbred, horse racing, racehorse, flat race, horses
- songwritinglyrics, verse, verse-chorus, refrain, song structure
- beginningsbegin, beginning, start, first, origin
opening lineclosing line
Final statement concluding something
last words · parting words · conclusion · sign-off · denouement
opening lineparting words
Farewell remarks
farewell · goodbye · sign-off · closing remarks · valediction
opening lineconclusion
End or deduction
denouement · resolution · finale · closing remarks · final statement
opening, line, open, opens, opened, opener, openers, openly, openness