How to create an attention grabbing first sentence? Forum

[AlexandraHope]

As we all know, the first sentence is the most important when it comes to grabbing someone's attention. So what was the best advice you received on how to create such an important sentence?

[dkb17xzx]

"My GPA and LSAT are both above-median."

[jerseymike]

Make sure that the second sentence follows logically

[Emma.]

Don't do it. The whole "attention grabbing first sentence" thing in personal statements is way overdone. This isn't some advertising copy where you need to lure the reader in or else they won't read at all. Of course your goal should be to write something compelling, but that doesn't necessarily mean starting with some crazy first sentence.

[pmacob]

Don't do it. The whole "attention grabbing first sentence" thing in personal statements is way overdone. This isn't some advertising copy where you need to lure the reader in or else they won't read at all. Of course your goal should be to write something compelling, but that doesn't necessarily mean starting with some crazy first sentence.

I agree with a lot of this. People way overthink their first sentence; they're going to read the whole of your personal statement no matter what. The most important thing is that, jerseymike said, the second sentence logically follows the first sentence, and the third sentence logically follows the second, and so on. People so often focus on their first sentence or two, and they often don't make sense in context of the entirety of the personal statement.

If your statement is compelling and well written, they are not going to sit back and say that your personal statement was poor because your first sentence didn't grab their attention well enough. The best way to have a great personal statement is to make it strong throughout, let the quality of your writing overall be what grabs their attention, not some crazy first line.