The goal of an introduction is to get your reader to continue reading. To do this, start with a broad topic to which your reader might relate before you narrow your subject down in your thesis. You can think of the first sentence of your paragraph as a hook because you use it to capture your reader's attention.

The first paragraph of a report, often referred to as the Introduction or Executive Summary, should immediately establish the Purpose, Scope, and Significance of the document. You should start with a clear "hook" or a direct statement of the problem or objective being addressed. For example: "The purpose of this report is to evaluate the impact of [Topic] on [Stakeholder] over the period of [Date] to [Date]." Following this "lead" sentence, you should briefly outline the methods used for your research or analysis and state the primary conclusion or recommendation you will reach. This "top-down" approach ensures that even a busy reader who only skims the first paragraph will understand the core message of the report. It is important to avoid vague generalizations and "filler" language; instead, use precise data and professional terminology to establish your authority on the subject. The goal is to provide a "roadmap" for the rest of the document, letting the reader know exactly what they will find in the following sections and why the information is critical to their needs.