What makes a good introduction to a story?

[Misuto3]

Now obviously "to each his own" is strongly suggested here. But is there a generally good introduction to a story that will likely grab readers more then some other intro?

[hannah_arendt]

First of all you have to show the surroundings. I wouldn`t rather continue reading the story which I don`t understand.

[cacian]

for me an introduction is like a fast opening where from the word go the flow is consistant all throughout which takes you right to the end.
in a way the title is the mini introduction which should entice you to want to read on so an introduction should not really be the intensive to a story it should just flow as beginning that leads to the end without any major hiccups or slowness.
in other word think of it as a fizzy tablet you drop in a cup of water as soon as the tablet has touched the water in the cup it starts to fizz. that is what I call an imagery to an introduction soluble and fizzy is what I am looking for :)

[hillwalker]

think of it as a fizzy tablet you drop in a cup of water as soon as the tablet has touched the water in the cup it starts to fizz :)

Brilliant! That's the best analogy I have ever read of how a story should start.

If every aspiring writer got to read this there would be less stories concerned with the main character waking up and following their daily routine before the story even begins.

H