What is the first paragraph of a report commonly called?

The first paragraph of a report is commonly referred to as the introduction. This section serves several important purposes in setting the stage for the report. It provides background information on the topic, outlines the purpose of the report, and often presents a thesis statement or main argument that guides the reader through the subsequent content.

The introduction helps to engage the reader's interest by clarifying what they can expect and why the report is significant. It typically outlines the scope of the report, the methodology used, and may offer a brief overview of key findings or conclusions.

While other terms may appear similar, they serve different functions. For example, an abstract is a brief summary of the entire report, usually found at the beginning, but it is not the opening paragraph itself. A synopsis also summarizes content but is more detailed and not traditionally used as a standalone section in reports. An overview might provide a broad summary but does not specifically fulfill the role and expectations of an introduction within report writing.