What is an Essay Introduction?
An introduction is the first part of an essay. Your introduction would keep readers hooked and compelled to read the rest of what you have written.
A good essay introduction should do the following:
- Grab the Reader’s Attention
A great way to start an essay is by using a “hook” to grab your reader's attention and introduce the general topic. Here are some suggestions on how you can create this:
- Ask a rhetorical question.
- State an interesting quote, fact, or statistics about the topic.
- Show the comparison between the two subjects.
- Discuss the past event.
For an effective introduction, your reader understands your topic.
- Provide Background Information
You should provide some background information about the topic after the hook statement. You can discuss:
- What is an essay about?
- Why is this topic important?
- Answer the question
However, keep in mind that you don’t provide complete information in an essay introduction.
- State the Thesis Statement
A good thesis statement is the backbone of any essay. It should be brief and easily understandable to support your argument with clarity.
The thesis statement should include:
- The main essay purpose
- The point of discussion you will include in your essay
The thesis statement should be short, and it is the last part of the introduction. You can use it to summarize the rest of your essay in 2-3 lines.
What is the Purpose of the Introduction in an Essay?
The main purpose of an essay introduction is to provide your reader with a clear idea of what you will cover in the rest of your essay. It provides background information on a specific problem or issue.
One of the most important parts of writing an essay is to state your argument clearly in the introduction. When writing a paper introduction, you should be general to specific. That is, start off by addressing the topic at hand in more generalized terms before narrowing down and focusing on your argument specifically.
How to Write an Essay Introduction?
The perfect introduction for an essay is crucial in order to create interest and draw readers in. It's not one way of starting an essay. There are many ways you can do it, but in general, people like to get started by writing the introduction and then adding other sections as they go along.
Here are some steps to help you write a perfect essay introduction.
1. Identify the Audience
A good introduction grabs the attention of any possible readers. You want to make them curious, interested, or even outraged by your work. It's hard if you don't know who read your essay.
Writing an essay for class can feel like an intimidating task. You might think that only your instructor will be reading what you write, but it's important to remember that other students in the same course also need information.
2. Use the Element of Surprise
Start with an interesting statistic when you want to grab your audience's attention. If that doesn't work, write other surprising facts but only relevant in context.
3. Start with a Hook Statement
Every good essay begins with an interesting hook, so spend some time writing yours. The first sentence should be short and clear but not too dense--it leads readers into what will come next for them to get engaged enough to want more information about the topic.
Avoid claims or plain statements of fact, as these can lead people away from reading your essay.
Examples:
Good Hook Statements | Weak Hook Statements |
|---|---|
| Braille was an extremely important innovation. |
Mary Shelley’s classic Frankenstein is often read as a cautionary tale about scientific advancement’s dangers. | Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a well-known book from the 19th century. |
4. Provide Information
The introductory paragraph of your essay should introduce the topic and identify any relevant themes. You can mention points that you will discuss in the body section. But do not give much information here because this is where you should narrow down your focus, and readers need to understand how/why this topic is discussed. The amount of space you need for the introduction background relies on the scope and topic.
5. Present Thesis Statement
A good thesis statement is like the foundation of your argument. It should summarize what you’re trying to say in one or two sentences and then provide evidence for that claim.
6. Map your Essay Structure
It is important to end the introduction of an essay by giving your readers a sense of what topic you'll cover in each section. Keep it concise and avoid being too over the map to easily understand where their attention should be focused when reading further sections.
7. Check and Revise
When you're writing an essay, your original argument might change direction. It's always a good idea to write the introduction paragraph in the end.
Make sure your conclusion and body paragraphs reflect the position you take in your essay. If not, tweak it now and then use a more consistent thesis statement.
Essay Introduction Examples
Below are some great essay introduction examples of different types of essays and sample introduction examples that help you create a well-written one.
Argumentative Essay Introduction Example
An argumentative essay starts with an introduction like other essays. The introduction of your essay should present background information needed to understand the argument and evidence that backs it up.
Below is an example that gives you a better understanding of an argumentative essay introduction.
The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided.
The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source, a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives, and a highly flexible learning environment.
Informative Essay Introduction Example
Informative essays are a great way to educate others on any given topic. They are written to provide information to the readers.
In order to make your introduction catchy and interesting, use a hook. You can check hook examples to learn how to write them. This will capture the reader's attention from the beginning of the essay, so they don't want to stop reading.
Here is an example of the informative essay introduction.
Ireland is a country steeped in history. In fact, its history dates beyond 3,000 B.C., when the megalithic tombs were constructed in Newgrange. Throughout the country's expansive evolution, the Irish fought time and again to maintain their independence as a sovereign nation.
The rich history is clearly visible through its many castles, including Leighlinbridge Castle and Carlow Castle, two of Ireland's oldest establishments.
Persuasive Essay Introduction Example
A catchy introduction is one of the keys to a good persuasive essay. Writing a persuasive essay introduction is not only hard; it's also difficult because you need to persuade readers.
For your help, we gathered an example that helps in your writing phase.
Fear of foreign influence in the Western hemisphere, national pride, and contemporary popular ideas concerning both expansion and foreign peoples had significantly more influence on American foreign policy than did the voices of industrialists. |
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