opening lines
Story's initial sentences
Opening lines are the first words of a written work—a novel, poem, essay, or speech.
The term usually implies these words carry special weight, setting tone and drawing readers in: The opening lines of "Moby-Dick" are among the most famous in literature.
In conversation, opening lines are rehearsed remarks meant to initiate contact, especially romantic: He tried out his opening lines at the bar.
- once upon a timeTraditional narrative opening
- in the beginningAt the start
- prologueIntroductory literary section
- chapter oneOpening portion of text
- introductionPreliminary section or presentation
greeting · icebreaker · conversation starter · foreword · hook · attention grabber · salutation · preamble · first words · beginning · epigraph · overture · preface · meet cute · thesis statement · lead-ins · small talk · exposition
- classic excerptsto be or not to be, call me Ishmael, once upon a time, nevermore, et tu Brute
- Famous Linesfamous lines, classic quotes, memorable lines, one-liners, catchphrases
- speed datingthree minutes, five minutes, time limit, rotations, rounds
- openersbottle opener, can opener, corkscrew, church key, churchkey
- story openersfirst chapter, chapter one, prologue, beginning, opener
- pickuppickup artist, approach, opener, cold approach, kino
opening linesclosing lines
Final sentences of text
last words · ending · conclusion · finale · parting words
opening linesclosing remarks
Final statements concluding presentation
farewell · goodbye · sign-off · valediction · dismissal
opening linesparting words
Farewell remarks
kiss-off · rejection · brush-off · farewell speech · walking away