Famous First Impressions: The Power of Perfect Opening Lines

(Hardback)

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Description

A unique exploration of opening lines from classic literature to modern music.

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. In that spirit, Famous First Impressions: The Power of Perfect Opening Lines revels in the greatest openings from novels, plays, poems, songs, films, speeches, and more. Bestselling author Paul Volponi examines how talented writers and artists instantly gain our attention, often in just a few words, and dissects each lines style, value, and impact. Exploring themes such as crime and punishment, dystopian landscapes, identity, science fiction, and the natural world, Volponi reveals the interconnectedness of opening lines ranging from Emily Dickinsons Im Nobody! Who are You to Taylor Swifts Blank Space.

Famous First Impressions features individuals as diverse as Toni Morrison, Adele, Edgar Allan Poe, Don McLean, Maya Angelou, William Shakespeare, Dr. Seuss, Anne Frank, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., introducing readers to new genres and writers while also providing fascinating insight into those they already love. And with science fiction and drama discussed in the same breath as classic rock and poetry, this book is sure to inspire less-than-enthusiastic readers and booklovers alike.

Reviews

A masterclass in the art of capturing an audience's attention from the very first line, Famous First Impressions is an engaging roadmap filled with a wealth of cultural and literary insights for creatives at any stage of their journey. -- Luke Beling, author of The Field of Plenty and singer-songwriter featured of Grey's Anatomy
I would have loved a book like this when I was teaching English! How much easier it would have been to get students interested not only in reading, but in writing as well--to show them how much thought and skill goes into formulating and opening line, even in a Taylor Swift song! -- Jason Trask, author of The New Plantation: Lessons from Rikers Island and I'm Not Muhammad

Author Bio

Paul Volponi is a bestselling author, journalist, and educator. His twelve novels for young adults have received a dozen American Library Association honors and his novel Black and White was a winner of the International Reading Association Childrens Book Award. Volponi is also the author of multiple nonfiction books for young adults, including The Great G.O.A.T. Debate: The Best of the Best in Everything from Sports to Science, Superhero Smart: Real-World Facts behind Comic Book Characters, and SpongeBob SquarePants: The Unauthorized Fun-ography. Volponi resides in New York City.