Carefully review the essay topic provided by the school or university. The opening of your essay should speak directly to the topic that you've been asked to address. Common essay topics include, "Write about the most difficult task you've had to overcome" or "Write about the most influential person or event you've experienced in your lifetime."
Restate the essay topic into several different questions. Working with a direct question helps you focus your ideas. If the essay topic is "Write about the most difficult task you've had to overcome," you might restate the topic as, "What was the hardest decision I've ever had to make?" or "At what point in my life did I experience a lot of self-doubt?"
Create an outline of your essay. Your opening sentences should provide direction for your essay, so it's best to begin with the end in mind. Write down one sentence that summarizes what each of your main body paragraphs will discuss as well as a single sentence that summarizes your entire essay.
Write a list of five to 10 possible opening sentences based on your essay outline. Each sentence should clearly reference the intended essay topic, as well as make a specific reference to your unique experience. For example, you may have opening sentences like, "It wasn't until I was packing up the last box in my room that I realized I might be making the wrong decision about moving," or "The hardest decision I've ever made wasn't one that would affect my life, but one that would affect the lives of everyone in my family."
Read your opening sentences out loud. Eliminate any sentences that are confusing, off-topic, cliche or too general. Limit your list to your top five favorite opening sentences.
Read your edited list of opening sentences to a friend, teacher, parent or college counselor. Ask them which of your sentences is the most interesting and the most clear. Even if they don't all agree, asking for outside input will help you eliminate weaker options and provide an outside perspective of your writing.
Choose your top two or three sentences from the list and write out individual opening paragraphs based on the sentences. If you struggle to write the opening paragraph, the sentence is likely not the best to open your essay.
Read your sample paragraphs out loud to yourself or to a group of listeners. Use the paragraph that is the most interesting and that leads smoothly into the remainder of your essay based on your outline.