along with Shakugan no Shana

Zero no Tsukaima, The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya, and Kanon are pretty godo starter series

ZnT = pretty good Harem series to start
Haruhi = ....ummm Haruhi is in its own category
Kanon = Really Kanon, Clannad, Sola, Air, Munto, etc anything done by Kyoto animation is a good thing to impress people and get them on anime

Personally i got hooked on anime through Kanon, i thought it was absolutely amazing