While the word "Hello" may have been enough to snag the character played by Tom Cruise in "Jerry McGuire," the use of the word "Hello" as a universal introductory beginning for any type of document (except maybe some kind of letter) is not strong enough to make the kind of connection you need in all kinds of documents.
Only increasingly one sees this word used in all kinds of documents instead of a strong introductory sentence. The problem? It's the word one uses on the telephone or in person, but that use of "Hello" as a greeting does not mean that it fits functionally or efficiently on the page or screen.
The problem with using "hello" as if it can do all things in all introductory situations is that it fails. It fails because people forget that there is a great responsibility in workplace documents to snag a reader's curiosity, promote that reader's curiosity by making a connection to the idea that will be explored, and then leading that reader through the document logically and, ultimately, persuasively.
To do that, you need to reconsider the function of an introductory sentence or phrase and don't count on "Hello." Here are at least five jobs your introduction still needs to do:
1. Not greet a reader--snag a reader. So, telegraph the key idea that will draw a reader in. Waving or saying hello won't do that. Some people just wave and say good-bye.
2. Using some other form of dialogue is often a strong choice to make. News writers do this frequently. Short story writers do this sometimes. And, perhaps, having seen it in some other context, you might wrongly assume that a greeting is the same type of beginning. It isn't. Dialogue is different than a greeting. Quoted dialogue is also different. Here's an example: "I killed him because he betrayed my sister and he had it coming." Now that's a strong lead for a non-fiction news report or a short story. See how dialogue initiates the idea of story? Find the story angle--and business documents often have them--and look for the key idea there.
3. Choose a visual picture or a strong action verb. Avoid passive language or weak ideas. Here's an example to begin a professional autobiography. "When I crossed the threshold of the newsroom, I knew that becoming a reporter was what I wanted to do with my life." Look for the moment you can report--the one that has the most information in it. Use it.
4. Do not under any circumstances use the introduction to explain how you plan to organize the document for the reader. Just don't ever do that. See it this way. Ever planned to kiss someone good-night? Did you tell that person: "Stand still there for a few seconds while I plant a kiss on you?" Why not? If someone won't stand still to be kissed, will that same type of person stand still while you explain your organizational strategy for a piece of work that he/she might not want to read?
5. Got some powerful numbers or stats to report? If they fit, use them.
There are as many ways as there are stories to start a piece of writing. Look for the part of your idea that has the greatest appeal for a reader, and find an active and visually pleasing way to use it to lead the reader into your work. "Hello" only works with Tom Cruise. The rest of us have to try harder.
Only increasingly one sees this word used in all kinds of documents instead of a strong introductory sentence. The problem? It's the word one uses on the telephone or in person, but that use of "Hello" as a greeting does not mean that it fits functionally or efficiently on the page or screen.
The problem with using "hello" as if it can do all things in all introductory situations is that it fails. It fails because people forget that there is a great responsibility in workplace documents to snag a reader's curiosity, promote that reader's curiosity by making a connection to the idea that will be explored, and then leading that reader through the document logically and, ultimately, persuasively.
To do that, you need to reconsider the function of an introductory sentence or phrase and don't count on "Hello." Here are at least five jobs your introduction still needs to do:
1. Not greet a reader--snag a reader. So, telegraph the key idea that will draw a reader in. Waving or saying hello won't do that. Some people just wave and say good-bye.
2. Using some other form of dialogue is often a strong choice to make. News writers do this frequently. Short story writers do this sometimes. And, perhaps, having seen it in some other context, you might wrongly assume that a greeting is the same type of beginning. It isn't. Dialogue is different than a greeting. Quoted dialogue is also different. Here's an example: "I killed him because he betrayed my sister and he had it coming." Now that's a strong lead for a non-fiction news report or a short story. See how dialogue initiates the idea of story? Find the story angle--and business documents often have them--and look for the key idea there.
3. Choose a visual picture or a strong action verb. Avoid passive language or weak ideas. Here's an example to begin a professional autobiography. "When I crossed the threshold of the newsroom, I knew that becoming a reporter was what I wanted to do with my life." Look for the moment you can report--the one that has the most information in it. Use it.
4. Do not under any circumstances use the introduction to explain how you plan to organize the document for the reader. Just don't ever do that. See it this way. Ever planned to kiss someone good-night? Did you tell that person: "Stand still there for a few seconds while I plant a kiss on you?" Why not? If someone won't stand still to be kissed, will that same type of person stand still while you explain your organizational strategy for a piece of work that he/she might not want to read?
5. Got some powerful numbers or stats to report? If they fit, use them.
There are as many ways as there are stories to start a piece of writing. Look for the part of your idea that has the greatest appeal for a reader, and find an active and visually pleasing way to use it to lead the reader into your work. "Hello" only works with Tom Cruise. The rest of us have to try harder.