The three-second rule
Readers decide in three seconds whether your article is worth their time. That's not enough time to read your carefully crafted argument — it's enough time to scan the first paragraph and make a gut decision.
Answer first, then explain
The inverted pyramid isn't just for journalists. Put your conclusion at the top, then spend the rest of the article explaining why you're right. Readers who agree will keep reading for validation. Readers who disagree will keep reading to find the flaw.