That is the job of the introduction: prove to the reader this book is worth reading. A well-done introduction grabs the reader and compels them to keep reading. It pulls them through, and makes them excited to start the content, because the introduction has answered the most important question the reader has: “Why should I read this book?” WHAT AN INTRODUCTION SHOULD DO: • Get the reader immediately interested in the book • Clearly lay out the pain the reader is facing • Paint a picture of a better future, or a benefit the reader can get • Outline briefly what the reader will learn in the book • Explain why the author is the expert and authority on this sub- ject • Get the reader committed to reading the book WHAT AN INTRODUCTION SHOULD NOT DO: • Be a summary of the book • Try to tell the whole story of something that is already in the book • Tell the author’s whole life story • Tediously explain exactly what is coming in the book • Have a meandering story that the reader doesn’t care about • Have too much background • Be too long • Start at the beginning of the author’s life • Have too much autobiography • Be entirely about the author and what they want to talk about THE BEST INTRODUCTIONS ARE FORMULAIC This is the thing to know about introductions: there is a formula to effective ones, and you should follow it. 108 · ThE SCriBE METhOD