Essay Writing
How to Start a College Essay: 10 Opening Lines That Work
Your opening line can make or break your essay. Here's how to write one that makes admissions officers keep reading.
You've been staring at a blank document for an hour. The cursor blinks. You type a sentence, delete it, type another, delete that too. Sound familiar?
The opening line is the hardest part of any college essay. It needs to hook the reader, set the tone, and make them want to keep reading—all in one sentence.
Here are 10 techniques that work, with examples you can adapt for your own essay.
1. Start in the Middle of the Action
Drop the reader into a specific moment. No setup, no context—just action.
Example:
"The flour exploded across the kitchen counter, and I knew my grandmother's recipe had just become mine to figure out."
This works because it creates immediate curiosity. What happened? Why does the recipe matter? The reader has to keep going to find out.
2. Make a Bold Statement
Say something unexpected or counterintuitive that makes the reader pause.
Example:
"The first time I failed, it was spectacular."
Bold openings work when they're genuine. Don't be controversial for its own sake—the statement should connect to something real about your experience.
3. Use a Surprising Detail
Lead with something specific and unexpected that reveals character.
Example:
"I own seventeen identical black notebooks, and I've filled every one."
Specific numbers and details signal that this essay will be concrete and vivid, not generic and forgettable.
4. Start with Dialogue
A line of dialogue drops the reader into a scene immediately.
Example:
"'You're not actually going to wear that, are you?' My mother's question would follow me across two continents."
Dialogue creates immediacy and voice. It also hints at relationships and tension that the essay will explore.
5. Establish a Contrast
Set up a tension between two things—expectations vs. reality, past vs. present, two parts of your identity.
Example:
"On paper, I was the perfect student. In reality, I hadn't opened a textbook in six months."
Contrasts create tension, and tension keeps readers engaged.
What NOT to Do: Openings That Fall Flat
"I have always been passionate about..."
Vague, overused, and tells rather than shows. Everyone claims passion—show it instead.
"Webster's Dictionary defines success as..."
Dictionary definitions are a cliché. Admissions officers have seen thousands of these.
"From a young age, I knew I wanted to..."
Chronological openings are boring. Start with something happening now, then flashback if needed.
Repeating the prompt
"A time I faced a challenge was when..." wastes precious words. Get into your story immediately.
Pro Tips for Your Opening
- Write your opening last. It's often easier to write a great hook once you know where your essay ends up.
- Test multiple versions. Write 5-10 different opening lines and see which one feels most compelling.
- Read it out loud. If it sounds awkward when spoken, revise it.
- Get a second opinion. Ask someone to read just your first paragraph. Do they want to keep reading?