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Opening appeal diagnostic
Last updated May 14, 2026 · 2 min read
Reader drops peak earliest at the opening. Revising the opening has the highest ROI of any section.

Sub-scores
In the Reader feedback tab, the Opening appeal diagnostic has two sub-scores:
| Sub-score | Examines |
|---|---|
| Hook | Does the first line / first paragraph make me want to read on |
| Positioning | How quickly readers grasp time / place / protagonist and what kind of story this is |
Each reader gives the opening a score (0-10) plus a one-line take.
Strong openings usually have
- A concrete action or image (vs opening on introspection / long scenery)
- A "what happens next" question
- No weather / time-of-day filler lead-in
- Not too many characters at once
What the report tells you
- Each reader's opening score and comment
- AI quotes from your opening, flagging strong / weak lines
- On Overview's attention curve, the engagement swing across the first few paragraphs
How to fix
Hand items to the Action items tab, or click "Edit in Writing Studio" at the bottom of the report — revise with the AI Coach there, item by item. See: Action items
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