Hit the ground running with a shocking or provocative opening statement that will instantly put readers in the moment and make them curious what it means.
Example:
The eyes of the world were on the Vatican, awaiting the first appearance of the newly crowned Pope. All eyes, of course, except those of the assassin who looked down on the pontiff's blood-soaked chasuble and added an extra bullet for good measure.
Evoke mood through vivid descriptions of the setting and the time period when it takes place.
Example:
The first storms of the new century were unleashed on Nantucket with a vengeance, battering the coast and the remains of its splintered harbor with enough rain and roaring winds, as if intent on sending even the sturdiest of whalers to the bottom of the sea.
Deliver a conversation in progress that hints of the core conflict that will drive the rest of the novel.
Example:
"Father wanted me to have the crown and you know it!" Edgar screamed, still struggling to extricate himself from the tight cords that were dangerously starting to cut off circulation in his wrists.
"I'm sure at one time that was the plan," Millicent replied with a smile, pausing yet again to admire her reflection in the mirror. "But that was before he realized you were an idiot."
Introduce characters that your readers can instantly relate to.
Example:
Margaret had never been a woman who woke up every morning looking pretty. Truth be told, it took her at least two hours of makeup to even come close to "plain." Today, however, none of it mattered. Today she was finally going to get payback for a lifetime of being overlooked.
End your introductory chapter with a cliffhanger that forces readers to turn the page.
Example:
From the standpoint of the men, the invention of robotic companions who adored them was the nearest thing to Eden. What they didn't count on was a bug in the system called Eve.