For your opening statement to be really effective, you need to know who will be viewing, hearing, or reading it. You should always keep these points in mind.

• Does your audience know you?

• Do you think your audience agrees or disagrees with your point of view?

You might need to add more points and examples for an audience that is not likely to share your point of view. Otherwise you could end up writing a persuasive argument that isn't convincing.

Open your writer's notebook and complete 2.4 Opening.