The ________ must clearly state your reason for writing and give the recipient a compelling reason to keep reading.

A) career summary on your résumé
B) opening paragraph of your application letter
C) word cloud in your employment portfolio
D) keyword cluster included in your résumé

The opening paragraph of your application letter, also known as the introduction, must clearly state your reason for writing and give the recipient a compelling reason to keep reading. This is where you capture the reader's attention and make a strong first impression. A career summary on your résumé, word cloud in your employment portfolio, and keyword cluster included in your résumé may also be important, but they do not fulfill the same purpose as the opening paragraph of an application letter.