Are You Committing These Seven Deadly Introduction Sins in Your Articles?
If so, it's time to repent
I see you.
Starting your Medium articles like each one is a novel. I don’t see the rest of the article because I’ve moved on after three lines of setting the scene. That’s the harsh truth.
Assuming you’ve written a headline that makes a reader open your article, most will give you a few seconds and two or three sentences to give them a reason to stay.
The good news is they’ve opened it, which means they want to read what you have to say. It’s up to you to give them a reason to. Online writing is a different animal from legacy writing. The usual rules of grammar and paragraph construction are…flexible.
The introduction is the make-or-break moment in any article.
Hooking your reader quickly and effectively is the entire game. Here are the seven "sins" writers often commit in their intros—along with tips on avoiding each one:
Sin #1: Being Too Vague
Kicking off with a generic statement dilutes your article’s impact. Instead, be specific and relatable—address a concrete problem or idea that speaks directly to the reader.
Sin #2: Too Much Background Before the Hook
Don’t drown readers in backstory. Open with a powerful hook to create curiosity and save the context for later paragraphs. Think of a line that grabs attention, then lead into your background information gradually.
Sin #3: Using Clichés
Phrases like “In today’s world…” or “Since the dawn of time…” are an automatic nope for most readers. If you can’t replace them, drop them altogether. It’s fine in a rough draft; just make sure you’re aware of them so you can edit them out.
Sin #4: Giving Away the Whole Article in the Intro
You don’t tell your entire life story on a first date, at least not if want a second date. Heep the intrigue and offer just enough to entice, leaving the details for the main body.
Sin #5: Writing for Yourself, Not the Reader
This is one I struggle with. It’s tempting to introduce topics with what you find interesting, but you always need to ask: What does the reader want to know? Most readers don’t care about who you are or your interests. Ensure something is in it for them.
Sin #6: Over-complicating the Language
Complex jargon or convoluted sentences can turn readers off before reaching your main points. Keep your language clear and accessible—imagine you’re talking to a friend. Internet writing isn’t academic writing.
Sin #7: Forgetting a Call to Curiosity
A strong intro should spark curiosity and make the reader need to know what’s next. Questions, surprising facts, or relatable anecdotes work well to create that sense of “I need to know more.”
By avoiding these seven common pitfalls, you’ll increase the odds you get to walk through the pearly gates of successful internet writers. Ignore them and be condemned to writing hell.