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It’s the roadmap to your essay, it’s the forecast for your argument, it’s...your introduction paragraph, and writing one can feel pretty intimidating. The introduction paragraph is a part of just about every kind of academic writing , from persuasive essays to research papers. But that doesn’t mean writing one is easy!

If trying to write an intro paragraph makes you feel like a Muggle trying to do magic, trust us: you aren’t alone. But there are some tips and tricks that can make the process easier—and that’s where we come in.

In this article, we’re going to explain how to write a captivating intro paragraph by covering the following info:  

• A discussion of what an introduction paragraph is and its purpose in an essay
• An overview of the most effective introduction paragraph format, with explanations of the three main parts of an intro paragraph
• An analysis of real intro paragraph examples, with a discussion of what works and what doesn’t
• A list of four top tips on how to write an introduction paragraph

Are you ready? Let’s begin!

What Is an Introduction Paragraph? 

An introduction paragraph is the first paragraph of an essay , paper, or other type of academic writing. Argumentative essays , book reports, research papers, and even personal  essays are common types of writing that require an introduction paragraph. Whether you’re writing a research paper for a science course or an argumentative essay for English class , you’re going to have to write an intro paragraph. 

So what’s the purpose of an intro paragraph? As a reader’s first impression of your essay, the intro paragraph should introduce the topic of your paper. 

Your introduction will also state any claims, questions, or issues that your paper will focus on. This is commonly known as your paper’s thesis . This condenses the overall point of your paper into one or two short sentences that your reader can come back and reference later.

But intro paragraphs need to do a bit more than just introduce your topic. An intro paragraph is also supposed to grab your reader’s attention. The intro paragraph is your chance to provide just enough info and intrigue to make your reader say, “Hey, this topic sounds interesting. I think I’ll keep reading this essay!” That can help your essay stand out from the crowd.

In most cases, an intro paragraph will be relatively short. A good intro will be clear, brief, purposeful, and focused. While there are some exceptions to this rule, it’s common for intro paragraphs to consist of three to five sentences . 

Effectively introducing your essay’s topic, purpose, and getting your reader invested in your essay sounds like a lot to ask from one little paragraph, huh? In the next section, we’ll demystify the intro paragraph format by breaking it down into its core parts . When you learn how to approach each part of an intro, writing one won’t seem so scary!

Once you figure out the three parts of an intro paragraph, writing one will be a piece of cake!

The 3 Main Parts of an Intro Paragraph

In general, an intro paragraph is going to have three main parts: a hook, context, and a thesis statement . Each of these pieces of the intro plays a key role in acquainting the reader with the topic and purpose of your essay. 

Below, we’ll explain how to start an introduction paragraph by writing an effective hook, providing context, and crafting a thesis statement. When you put these elements together, you’ll have an intro paragraph that does a great job of making a great first impression on your audience!

Intro Paragraph Part 1: The Hook

When it comes to how to start an introduction paragraph, o ne of the most common approaches is to start with something called a hook. 

What does hook mean here, though? Think of it this way: it’s like when you start a new Netflix series: you look up a few hours (and a few episodes) later and you say, “Whoa. I guess I must be hooked on this show!” 

That’s how the hook is supposed to work in an intro paragrap h: it should get your reader interested enough that they don’t want to press the proverbial “pause” button while they’re reading it . In other words, a hook is designed to grab your reader’s attention and keep them reading your essay! 

This means that the hook comes first in the intro paragraph format—it’ll be the opening sentence of your intro. 

It’s important to realize  that there are many different ways to write a good hook. But generally speaking, hooks must include these two things: what your topic is, and the angle you’re taking on that topic in your essay. 

One approach to writing a hook that works is starting with a general, but interesting, statement on your topic. In this type of hook, you’re trying to provide a broad introduction to your topic and your angle on the topic in an engaging way . 

For example, if you’re writing an essay about the role of the government in the American healthcare system, your hook might look something like this: 

There's a growing movement to require that the federal government provide affordable, effective healthcare for all Americans. 

This hook introduces the essay topic in a broad way (government and healthcare) by presenting a general statement on the topic. But the assumption presented in the hook can also be seen as controversial, which gets readers interested in learning more about what the writer—and the essay—has to say.

In other words, the statement above fulfills the goals of a good hook: it’s intriguing and provides a general introduction to the essay topic.

Intro Paragraph Part 2: Context

Once you’ve provided an attention-grabbing hook, you’ll want to give more context about your essay topic. Context refers to additional details that reveal the specific focus of your paper. So, whereas the hook provides a general introduction to your topic, context starts helping readers understand what exactly you’re going to be writing about

You can include anywhere from one to several sentences of context in your intro, depending on your teacher’s expectations, the length of your paper, and complexity of your topic. In these context-providing sentences, you want to begin narrowing the focus of your intro. You can do this by describing a specific issue or question about your topic that you’ll address in your essay. It also helps readers start to understand why the topic you’re writing about matters and why they should read about it. 

So, what counts as context for an intro paragraph? Context can be any important details or descriptions that provide background on existing perspectives, common cultural attitudes, or a specific situation or controversy relating to your essay topic. The context you include should acquaint your reader with the issues, questions, or events that motivated you to write an essay on your topic...and that your reader should know in order to understand your thesis. 

For instance, if you’re writing an essay analyzing the consequences of sexism in Hollywood, the context you include after your hook might make reference to the #metoo and #timesup movements that have generated public support for victims of sexual harassment. 

The key takeaway here is that context establishes why you’re addressing your topic and what makes it important. It also sets you up for success on the final piece of an intro paragraph: the thesis statement.

Elle Woods' statement offers a specific point of view on the topic of murder...which means it could serve as a pretty decent thesis statement!

Intro Paragraph Part 3: The Thesis

The final key part of how to write an intro paragraph is the thesis statement. The thesis statement is the backbone of your introduction: it conveys your argument or point of view on your topic in a clear, concise, and compelling way . The thesis is usually the last sentence of your intro paragraph. 

Whether it’s making a claim, outlining key points, or stating a hypothesis, your thesis statement will tell your reader exactly what idea(s) are going to be addressed in your essay. A good thesis statement will be clear, straightforward, and highlight the overall point you’re trying to make.

Some instructors also ask students to include an essay map as part of their thesis. An essay map is a section that outlines the major topics a paper will address. So for instance, say you’re writing a paper that argues for the importance of public transport in rural communities. Your thesis and essay map might look like this: 

Having public transport in rural communities helps people improve their economic situation by giving them reliable transportation to their job, reducing the amount of money they spend on gas, and providing new and unionized work .

The underlined section is the essay map because it touches on the three big things the writer will talk about later. It literally maps out the rest of the essay!

So let’s review: Your thesis takes the idea you’ve introduced in your hook and context and wraps it up. Think of it like a television episode: the hook sets the scene by presenting a general statement and/or interesting idea that sucks you in. The context advances the plot by describing the topic in more detail and helping readers understand why the topic is important. And finally, the thesis statement provides the climax by telling the reader what you have to say about the topic. 

The thesis statement is the most important part of the intro. Without it, your reader won’t know what the purpose of your essay is! And for a piece of writing to be effective, it needs to have a clear purpose. Your thesis statement conveys that purpose , so it’s important to put careful thought into writing a clear and compelling thesis statement. 

How To Write an Introduction Paragraph: Example and Analysis

Now that we’ve provided an intro paragraph outline and have explained the three key parts of an intro paragraph, let’s take a look at an intro paragraph in action.

To show you how an intro paragraph works, we’ve included a sample introduction paragraph below, followed by an analysis of its strengths and weaknesses.

Example of Introduction Paragraph

While college students in the U.S. are struggling with how to pay for college, there is another surprising demographic that’s affected by the pressure to pay for college: families and parents. In the face of tuition price tags that total more than $100,000 (as a low estimate), families must make difficult decisions about how to save for their children’s college education. Charting a feasible path to saving for college is further complicated by the FAFSA’s estimates for an “Expected Family Contribution”—an amount of money that is rarely feasible for most American families. Due to these challenging financial circumstances and cultural pressure to give one’s children the best possible chance of success in adulthood, many families are going into serious debt to pay for their children’s college education. The U.S. government should move toward bearing more of the financial burden of college education. 

Example of Introduction Paragraph: Analysis

Before we dive into analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of this example intro paragraph, let’s establish the essay topic. The sample intro indicates that t he essay topic will focus on one specific issue: who should cover the cost of college education in the U.S., and why. Both the hook and the context help us identify the topic, while the thesis in the last sentence tells us why this topic matters to the writer—they think the U.S. Government needs to help finance college education. This is also the writer’s argument, which they’ll cover in the body of their essay. 

Now that we’ve identified the essay topic presented in the sample intro, let’s dig into some analysis. To pin down its strengths and weaknesses, we’re going to use the following three questions to guide our example of introduction paragraph analysis: 

• Does this intro provide an attention-grabbing opening sentence that conveys the essay topic? 
• Does this intro provide relevant, engaging context about the essay topic? 
• Does this intro provide a thesis statement that establishes the writer’s point of view on the topic and what specific aspects of the issue the essay will address? 

Now, let’s use the questions above to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of this sample intro paragraph. 

Does the Intro Have a Good Hook? 

First, the intro starts out with an attention-grabbing hook . The writer starts by presenting  an assumption (that the U.S. federal government bears most of the financial burden of college education), which makes the topic relatable to a wide audience of readers. Also note that the hook relates to the general topic of the essay, which is the high cost of college education. 

The hook then takes a surprising turn by presenting a counterclaim : that American families, rather than students, feel the true burden of paying for college. Some readers will have a strong emotional reaction to this provocative counterclaim, which will make them want to keep reading! As such, this intro provides an effective opening sentence that conveys the essay topic. 

Does the Intro Give Context?

T he second, third, and fourth sentences of the intro provide contextual details that reveal the specific focus of the writer’s paper . Remember: the context helps readers start to zoom in on what the paper will focus on, and what aspect of the general topic (college costs) will be discussed later on. 

The context in this intro reveals the intent and direction of the paper by explaining why the issue of families financing college is important. In other words, the context helps readers understand why this issue matters , and what aspects of this issue will be addressed in the paper.  

To provide effective context, the writer refers to issues (the exorbitant cost of college and high levels of family debt) that have received a lot of recent scholarly and media attention. These sentences of context also elaborate on the interesting perspective included in the hook: that American families are most affected by college costs.

Does the Intro Have a Thesis? 

Finally, this intro provides a thesis statement that conveys the writer’s point of view on the issue of financing college education. This writer believes that the U.S. government should do more to pay for students’ college educations. 

However, the thesis statement doesn’t give us any details about why the writer has made this claim or why this will help American families . There isn’t an essay map that helps readers understand what points the writer will make in the essay.

To revise this thesis statement so that it establishes the specific aspects of the topic that the essay will address, the writer could add the following to the beginning of the thesis statement:

The U.S. government should take on more of the financial burden of college education because other countries have shown this can improve education rates while reducing levels of familial poverty.

Check out the new section in bold. Not only does it clarify that the writer is talking about the pressure put on families, it touches on the big topics the writer will address in the paper: improving education rates and reduction of poverty. So not only do we have a clearer argumentative statement in this thesis, we also have an essay map!  

So, let’s recap our analysis. This sample intro paragraph does an effective job of providing an engaging hook and relatable, interesting context, but the thesis statement needs some work ! As you write your own intro paragraphs, you might consider using the questions above to evaluate and revise your work. Doing this will help ensure you’ve covered all of your bases and written an intro that your readers will find interesting!

4 Tips for How To Write an Introduction Paragraph

Now that we’ve gone over an example of introduction paragraph analysis, let’s talk about how to write an introduction paragraph of your own. Keep reading for four tips for writing a successful intro paragraph for any essay. 

Tip 1: Analyze Your Essay Prompt

If you’re having trouble with how to start an introduction paragraph, analyze your essay prompt! Most teachers give you some kind of assignment sheet, formal instructions, or prompt to set the expectations for an essay they’ve assigned, right? Those instructions can help guide you as you write your intro paragraph!

Because they’ll be reading and responding to your essay, you want to make sure you meet your teacher’s expectations for an intro paragraph . For instance, if they’ve provided specific instructions about how long the intro should be or where the thesis statement should be located, be sure to follow them!

The type of paper you’re writing can give you clues as to how to approach your intro as well. If you’re writing a research paper, your professor might expect you to provide a research question or state a hypothesis in your intro. If you’re writing an argumentative essay, you’ll need to make sure your intro overviews the context surrounding your argument and your thesis statement includes a clear, defensible claim. 

Using the parameters set out by your instructor and assignment sheet can put some easy-to-follow boundaries in place for things like your intro’s length, structure, and content. Following these guidelines can free you up to focus on other aspects of your intro... like coming up with an exciting hook and conveying your point of view on your topic!

Tip 2: Narrow Your Topic

You can’t write an intro paragraph without first identifying your topic. To make your intro as effective as possible, you need to define the parameters of your topic clearly—and you need to be specific. 

For example, let’s say you want to write about college football. “NCAA football” is too broad of a topic for a paper. There is a lot to talk about in terms of college football! It would be tough to write an intro paragraph that’s focused, purposeful, and engaging on this topic. In fact, if you did try to address this whole topic, you’d probably end up writing a book!

Instead, you should narrow broad topics to  identify a specific question, claim, or issue pertaining to some aspect of NCAA football for your intro to be effective. So, for instance, you could frame your topic as, “How can college professors better support NCAA football players in academics?” This focused topic pertaining to NCAA football would give you a more manageable angle to discuss in your paper.

So before you think about writing your intro, ask yourself: Is my essay topic specific, focused, and logical? Does it convey an issue or question that I can explore over the course of several pages? Once you’ve established a good topic, you’ll have the foundation you need to write an effective intro paragraph . 

Once you've figured out your topic, it's time to hit the books!

Tip 3: Do Your Research

This tip is tightly intertwined with the one above, and it’s crucial to writing a good intro: do your research! And, guess what? This tip applies to all papers—even ones that aren’t technically research papers. 

Here’s why you need to do some research: getting the lay of the land on what others have said about your topic—whether that’s scholars and researchers or the mass media— will help you narrow your topic, write an engaging hook, and provide relatable context. 

You don't want to sit down to write your intro without a solid understanding of the different perspectives on your topic. Whether those are the perspectives of experts or the general public, these points of view will help you write your intro in a way that is intriguing and compelling for your audience of readers. 

Tip 4: Write Multiple Drafts

Some say to write your intro first; others say write it last. The truth is, there isn’t a right or wrong time to write your intro—but you do need to have enough time to write multiple drafts . 

Oftentimes, your professor will ask you to write multiple drafts of your paper, which gives you a built-in way to make sure you revise your intro. Another approach you could take is to write out a rough draft of your intro before you begin writing your essay, then revise it multiple times as you draft out your paper. 

Here’s why this approach can work: as you write your paper, you’ll probably come up with new insights on your topic that you didn’t have right from the start. You can use these “light bulb” moments to reevaluate your intro and make revisions that keep it in line with your developing essay draft. 

Once you’ve written your entire essay, consider going back and revising your intro again . You can ask yourself these questions as you evaluate your intro: 

• Is my hook still relevant to the way I’ve approached the topic in my essay?
• Do I provide enough appropriate context to introduce my essay? 
• Now that my essay is written, does my thesis statement still accurately reflect the point of view that I present in my essay?

Using these questions as a guide and putting your intro through multiple revisions will help ensure that you’ve written the best intro for the final draft of your essay. Also, revising your writing is always a good thing to do—and this applies to your intro, too!

What's Next?

Your college essays also need great intro paragraphs. Here’s a guide that focuses on how to write the perfect intro for your admissions essays. 

Of course, the intro is just one part of your college essay . This article will teach you how to write a college essay that makes admissions counselors sit up and take notice.

Are you trying to write an analytical essay? Our step-by-step guide can help you knock it out of the park.

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

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How to Write an Essay Introduction (with Examples)   

The introduction of an essay plays a critical role in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. It sets the stage for the rest of the essay, establishes the tone and style, and motivates the reader to continue reading. 

Table of Contents

What is an essay introduction , what to include in an essay introduction, how to create an essay structure , step-by-step process for writing an essay introduction , how to write an introduction paragraph , how to write a hook for your essay , how to include background information , how to write a thesis statement .

• Argumentative Essay Introduction Example: 
• Expository Essay Introduction Example 

Literary Analysis Essay Introduction Example

Check and revise – checklist for essay introduction , key takeaways , frequently asked questions .

An introduction is the opening section of an essay, paper, or other written work. It introduces the topic and provides background information, context, and an overview of what the reader can expect from the rest of the work. 1 The key is to be concise and to the point, providing enough information to engage the reader without delving into excessive detail. 

The essay introduction is crucial as it sets the tone for the entire piece and provides the reader with a roadmap of what to expect. Here are key elements to include in your essay introduction: 

• Hook : Start with an attention-grabbing statement or question to engage the reader. This could be a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or a compelling anecdote. 
• Background information : Provide context and background information to help the reader understand the topic. This can include historical information, definitions of key terms, or an overview of the current state of affairs related to your topic. 
• Thesis statement : Clearly state your main argument or position on the topic. Your thesis should be concise and specific, providing a clear direction for your essay. 

Before we get into how to write an essay introduction, we need to know how it is structured. The structure of an essay is crucial for organizing your thoughts and presenting them clearly and logically. It is divided as follows: 2  

• Introduction:  The introduction should grab the reader’s attention with a hook, provide context, and include a thesis statement that presents the main argument or purpose of the essay.  
• Body:  The body should consist of focused paragraphs that support your thesis statement using evidence and analysis. Each paragraph should concentrate on a single central idea or argument and provide evidence, examples, or analysis to back it up.  
• Conclusion:  The conclusion should summarize the main points and restate the thesis differently. End with a final statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Avoid new information or arguments. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write an essay introduction: 

• Start with a Hook : Begin your introduction paragraph with an attention-grabbing statement, question, quote, or anecdote related to your topic. The hook should pique the reader’s interest and encourage them to continue reading. 
• Provide Background Information : This helps the reader understand the relevance and importance of the topic. 
• State Your Thesis Statement : The last sentence is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be clear, concise, and directly address the topic of your essay. 
• Preview the Main Points : This gives the reader an idea of what to expect and how you will support your thesis. 
• Keep it Concise and Clear : Avoid going into too much detail or including information not directly relevant to your topic. 
• Revise : Revise your introduction after you’ve written the rest of your essay to ensure it aligns with your final argument. 

Here’s an example of an essay introduction paragraph about the importance of education: 

Education is often viewed as a fundamental human right and a key social and economic development driver. As Nelson Mandela once famously said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” It is the key to unlocking a wide range of opportunities and benefits for individuals, societies, and nations. In today’s constantly evolving world, education has become even more critical. It has expanded beyond traditional classroom learning to include digital and remote learning, making education more accessible and convenient. This essay will delve into the importance of education in empowering individuals to achieve their dreams, improving societies by promoting social justice and equality, and driving economic growth by developing a skilled workforce and promoting innovation. 

This introduction paragraph example includes a hook (the quote by Nelson Mandela), provides some background information on education, and states the thesis statement (the importance of education). 

This is one of the key steps in how to write an essay introduction. Crafting a compelling hook is vital because it sets the tone for your entire essay and determines whether your readers will stay interested. A good hook draws the reader in and sets the stage for the rest of your essay.  

• Avoid Dry Fact : Instead of simply stating a bland fact, try to make it engaging and relevant to your topic. For example, if you’re writing about the benefits of exercise, you could start with a startling statistic like, “Did you know that regular exercise can increase your lifespan by up to seven years?” 
• Avoid Using a Dictionary Definition : While definitions can be informative, they’re not always the most captivating way to start an essay. Instead, try to use a quote, anecdote, or provocative question to pique the reader’s interest. For instance, if you’re writing about freedom, you could begin with a quote from a famous freedom fighter or philosopher. 
• Do Not Just State a Fact That the Reader Already Knows : This ties back to the first point—your hook should surprise or intrigue the reader. For Here’s an introduction paragraph example, if you’re writing about climate change, you could start with a thought-provoking statement like, “Despite overwhelming evidence, many people still refuse to believe in the reality of climate change.” 

Including background information in the introduction section of your essay is important to provide context and establish the relevance of your topic. When writing the background information, you can follow these steps: 

• Start with a General Statement:  Begin with a general statement about the topic and gradually narrow it down to your specific focus. For example, when discussing the impact of social media, you can begin by making a broad statement about social media and its widespread use in today’s society, as follows: “Social media has become an integral part of modern life, with billions of users worldwide.” 
• Define Key Terms : Define any key terms or concepts that may be unfamiliar to your readers but are essential for understanding your argument. 
• Provide Relevant Statistics:  Use statistics or facts to highlight the significance of the issue you’re discussing. For instance, “According to a report by Statista, the number of social media users is expected to reach 4.41 billion by 2025.” 
• Discuss the Evolution:  Mention previous research or studies that have been conducted on the topic, especially those that are relevant to your argument. Mention key milestones or developments that have shaped its current impact. You can also outline some of the major effects of social media. For example, you can briefly describe how social media has evolved, including positives such as increased connectivity and issues like cyberbullying and privacy concerns. 
• Transition to Your Thesis:  Use the background information to lead into your thesis statement, which should clearly state the main argument or purpose of your essay. For example, “Given its pervasive influence, it is crucial to examine the impact of social media on mental health.” 

A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, or other type of academic writing. It appears near the end of the introduction. Here’s how to write a thesis statement: 

• Identify the topic:  Start by identifying the topic of your essay. For example, if your essay is about the importance of exercise for overall health, your topic is “exercise.” 
• State your position:  Next, state your position or claim about the topic. This is the main argument or point you want to make. For example, if you believe that regular exercise is crucial for maintaining good health, your position could be: “Regular exercise is essential for maintaining good health.” 
• Support your position:  Provide a brief overview of the reasons or evidence that support your position. These will be the main points of your essay. For example, if you’re writing an essay about the importance of exercise, you could mention the physical health benefits, mental health benefits, and the role of exercise in disease prevention. 
• Make it specific:  Ensure your thesis statement clearly states what you will discuss in your essay. For example, instead of saying, “Exercise is good for you,” you could say, “Regular exercise, including cardiovascular and strength training, can improve overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.” 

Examples of essay introduction 

Here are examples of essay introductions for different types of essays: 

Argumentative Essay Introduction Example:  

Topic: Should the voting age be lowered to 16? 

“The question of whether the voting age should be lowered to 16 has sparked nationwide debate. While some argue that 16-year-olds lack the requisite maturity and knowledge to make informed decisions, others argue that doing so would imbue young people with agency and give them a voice in shaping their future.” 

Expository Essay Introduction Example  

Topic: The benefits of regular exercise 

“In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of regular exercise cannot be overstated. From improving physical health to boosting mental well-being, the benefits of exercise are numerous and far-reaching. This essay will examine the various advantages of regular exercise and provide tips on incorporating it into your daily routine.” 

Text: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee 

“Harper Lee’s novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ is a timeless classic that explores themes of racism, injustice, and morality in the American South. Through the eyes of young Scout Finch, the reader is taken on a journey that challenges societal norms and forces characters to confront their prejudices. This essay will analyze the novel’s use of symbolism, character development, and narrative structure to uncover its deeper meaning and relevance to contemporary society.” 

• Engaging and Relevant First Sentence : The opening sentence captures the reader’s attention and relates directly to the topic. 
• Background Information : Enough background information is introduced to provide context for the thesis statement. 
• Definition of Important Terms : Key terms or concepts that might be unfamiliar to the audience or are central to the argument are defined. 
• Clear Thesis Statement : The thesis statement presents the main point or argument of the essay. 
• Relevance to Main Body : Everything in the introduction directly relates to and sets up the discussion in the main body of the essay. 

Writing a strong introduction is crucial for setting the tone and context of your essay. Here are the key takeaways for how to write essay introduction: 3  

• Hook the Reader : Start with an engaging hook to grab the reader’s attention. This could be a compelling question, a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or an anecdote. 
• Provide Background : Give a brief overview of the topic, setting the context and stage for the discussion. 
• Thesis Statement : State your thesis, which is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be concise, clear, and specific. 
• Preview the Structure : Outline the main points or arguments to help the reader understand the organization of your essay. 
• Keep it Concise : Avoid including unnecessary details or information not directly related to your thesis. 
• Revise and Edit : Revise your introduction to ensure clarity, coherence, and relevance. Check for grammar and spelling errors. 
• Seek Feedback : Get feedback from peers or instructors to improve your introduction further. 

The purpose of an essay introduction is to give an overview of the topic, context, and main ideas of the essay. It is meant to engage the reader, establish the tone for the rest of the essay, and introduce the thesis statement or central argument.  

An essay introduction typically ranges from 5-10% of the total word count. For example, in a 1,000-word essay, the introduction would be roughly 50-100 words. However, the length can vary depending on the complexity of the topic and the overall length of the essay.

An essay introduction is critical in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. To ensure its effectiveness, consider incorporating these key elements: a compelling hook, background information, a clear thesis statement, an outline of the essay’s scope, a smooth transition to the body, and optional signposting sentences.  

The process of writing an essay introduction is not necessarily straightforward, but there are several strategies that can be employed to achieve this end. When experiencing difficulty initiating the process, consider the following techniques: begin with an anecdote, a quotation, an image, a question, or a startling fact to pique the reader’s interest. It may also be helpful to consider the five W’s of journalism: who, what, when, where, why, and how.   For instance, an anecdotal opening could be structured as follows: “As I ascended the stage, momentarily blinded by the intense lights, I could sense the weight of a hundred eyes upon me, anticipating my next move. The topic of discussion was climate change, a subject I was passionate about, and it was my first public speaking event. Little did I know , that pivotal moment would not only alter my perspective but also chart my life’s course.” 

Crafting a compelling thesis statement for your introduction paragraph is crucial to grab your reader’s attention. To achieve this, avoid using overused phrases such as “In this paper, I will write about” or “I will focus on” as they lack originality. Instead, strive to engage your reader by substantiating your stance or proposition with a “so what” clause. While writing your thesis statement, aim to be precise, succinct, and clear in conveying your main argument.  

To create an effective essay introduction, ensure it is clear, engaging, relevant, and contains a concise thesis statement. It should transition smoothly into the essay and be long enough to cover necessary points but not become overwhelming. Seek feedback from peers or instructors to assess its effectiveness. 

References  

• Cui, L. (2022). Unit 6 Essay Introduction.  Building Academic Writing Skills . 
• West, H., Malcolm, G., Keywood, S., & Hill, J. (2019). Writing a successful essay.  Journal of Geography in Higher Education ,  43 (4), 609-617. 
• Beavers, M. E., Thoune, D. L., & McBeth, M. (2023). Bibliographic Essay: Reading, Researching, Teaching, and Writing with Hooks: A Queer Literacy Sponsorship. College English, 85(3), 230-242. 

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The 5 Parts of an Introduction: A Comprehensive Guide

• by Richard Edwards
• October 8, 2023

Welcome to our blog post on the five essential parts of an introduction! Whether you’re writing an essay, a research paper, or even a thesis, the introduction sets the stage for your reader and provides a roadmap for what’s to come.

In this guide, we’ll explore the key components that make up a strong introduction, answering questions such as how to write a compelling opening, how many sentences should be in an introduction, and what should be included in the first chapter of a research paper. We’ll also touch upon attention-getters and the crucial role they play in engaging your audience right from the start.

So, if you’re ready to master the art of introductions and captivate your readers from the get-go, let’s dive in and discover the five vital parts that will make your writing shine. Remember, a well-crafted introduction can make all the difference in hooking your readers’ attention and setting the stage for a successful piece of writing.

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What are the 5 Parts of an Introduction?

The hook: start with a bang.

When it comes to writing introductions, you need to grab your reader’s attention right from the start. Think of it as a fishing hook—your goal is to reel them in! So, ditch the boring cliches and instead, surprise them with an unexpected fact or a captivating anecdote. For example, did you know that in 2023, people are more likely to read a blog post if it has a touch of humor? True story!

Background Information: Set the Stage

After hooking your readers, it’s time to provide them with some context. Give them a brief overview of the topic you’re about to dive into. But hold on, don’t go all Wikipedia on them! Keep it concise and focus on the essential details. Imagine you’re explaining it to a friend who has zero background knowledge but possesses a sense of humor as sharp as a New York City cab driver’s wit.

Thesis Statement: Make Your Point

Now that your readers are intrigued and have a basic understanding of the topic, it’s time to unveil your main argument. This is your chance to shine! Craft a clear and concise thesis statement that encapsulates the purpose of your blog post. Think of it as the trailer that makes people want to watch the movie. Make it so compelling that readers can’t help but continue reading to see how you’ll support your point.

Scope and Outline: Map it Out

Before diving into the meaty paragraphs, briefly outline what you’ll cover in your blog post. It’s like performing a magic trick, but instead of a rabbit, you’re pulling out the promise of valuable information. Break down your subtopics into logical sections and give your readers a sneak peek into what they can expect. This way, they’ll know they’re in good hands and won’t click away in search of a more organized read.

Transition: Smooth Sailing Ahead

You’ve now set the stage, reeled them in with your hook, provided some background information , stated your thesis, and outlined what’s to come. It’s time to wrap up the introduction with a smooth transition that seamlessly guides your readers into the main body of your blog post. Think of it as passing the baton in a relay race. You want your readers to move forward effortlessly, eager to explore the depths of your captivating content.

And there you have it, the 5 parts of an introduction. Now, buckle up because we’re about to dive into the heart of this blog post. Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster ride of knowledge, humor, and maybe even a sprinkle of GIFs. Let’s get started!

Frequently Asked Questions about the Five Parts of an Introduction

How do you write a 5 paragraph essay outline.

Writing a 5-paragraph essay outline is not as intimidating as it may seem. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you out:

Step 1: Introduction

Begin with an attention-grabbing hook that captivates your readers. Then provide some background information about your topic, leading up to your thesis statement.

Step 2: Body Paragraphs

Devote one paragraph to each supporting point that you mentioned in your thesis statement. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence, followed by relevant evidence and examples to support your claim.

Step 3: Conclusion

In this final paragraph, summarize your main points and restate your thesis statement. Leave your readers with a thought-provoking statement or call-to-action.

How many sentences are in an introduction

The number of sentences in an introduction can vary depending on the complexity of the topic and the length of your essay. Typically, it is recommended to have around 3-5 sentences in an introduction. However, keep in mind that the focus should be on conveying the necessary information effectively rather than obsessing over the exact number of sentences.

What are the five parts of Chapter 1 in research

When conducting research, Chapter 1 often sets the stage for the entire study. It typically consists of the following five parts:

1. Introduction

This part provides an overview of the research topic, its significance, and the purpose of the study.

2. Theoretical Framework

Here, the researcher explains the theories, concepts, or frameworks that form the foundation of the study.

3. Research Problem or Research Questions

This section highlights the specific problem or questions that the study aims to address, presenting the rationale behind them.

4. Research Methodology

In this part, the researcher outlines the approach, methods, and techniques used to gather and analyze data.

5. Significance of the Study

Finally, the researcher explains the potential impact and contribution of the study to the field, emphasizing its relevance.

What are the five parts of a paragraph

A well-structured paragraph typically consists of the following five parts:

1. Topic Sentence

The topic sentence introduces the main idea or the central focus of the paragraph.

2. Supporting Sentences

These sentences provide evidence, examples, or explanations to strengthen the topic sentence and develop the main idea.

3. Transitional Sentence

A transitional sentence smoothly connects the current paragraph to the next one, ensuring a logical flow of ideas.

4. Concluding Sentence

The concluding sentence wraps up the paragraph, summarizing the main points or leaving the reader with a thought to ponder.

5. Unity and Coherence

To ensure the paragraph flows smoothly, it should have unity (all sentences should relate to the main idea) and coherence (ideas should be organized in a logical manner).

What is an introduction and example

An introduction, as the word suggests, introduces the topic and provides readers with an overview of what to expect in the rest of the content. Let’s consider an example to illustrate this:

Suppose you’re writing a blog post about the benefits of yoga. In the introduction, you might start with a captivating hook like, “Picture yourself on a serene beach, feeling the gentle breeze as your body becomes one with the harmonious practice of yoga.” After establishing the setting and engaging the reader’s imagination, you can proceed to provide a brief overview of yoga’s origins, health benefits, and its positive impact on mental well-being. This introduction sets the stage for the rest of the content, enticing readers to continue exploring the topic.

What are the five types of attention getters

In writing, attention getters are techniques used to capture readers’ interest. Here are five types of attention getters you can employ:

1. Anecdotes

Engage your audience by sharing a short, relevant anecdote or story that relates to your topic.

Introduce your topic with a compelling quote from a renowned individual or a thought-provoking statement.

3. Shocking Facts or Statistics

Present surprising data or statistics that highlight the significance of your topic.

4. Rhetorical Questions

Pose a thought-provoking question that sparks curiosity and encourages readers to continue reading for the answer.

Injecting a touch of humor can instantly grab readers’ attention and set a lighthearted tone for your content.

What are the four or five components of an introduction

An introduction typically consists of four or five components, depending on the complexity and length of the content. These components include:

1. Hook or Attention Grabber

The hook is the opening statement designed to capture the reader’s attention and entice them to continue reading.

2. Background Information

Provide relevant context or background information to give readers a clear understanding of the topic.

3. Thesis Statement

The thesis statement states the main argument or central idea of the content, guiding the focus of the entire piece.

4. Scope and Outline

Briefly outline the main points or subtopics that will be covered in the body of the content, giving readers an overview of what’s to come.

5. Transition

In longer pieces, a transition sentence or paragraph may be included to smoothly lead readers from the introduction to the main body.

What is the most important part of an introduction

The most important part of an introduction is the thesis statement. The thesis statement clarifies the purpose and direction of the content, serving as the backbone of the entire piece. It should be concise, specific, and thought-provoking, providing readers with a clear idea of what to expect and enticing them to continue reading.

What are the five chapters of a thesis

A typical thesis consists of five chapters, each serving a specific purpose:

This chapter provides an overview of the research topic, highlights its significance, and introduces the study’s objectives.

2. Literature Review

Here, the researcher critically examines existing studies, theories, and publications related to the research topic.

3. Methodology

The methodology chapter outlines the research design, methods, and procedures employed to collect and analyze data.

In this chapter, the researcher presents and discusses the findings obtained through the research methods.

5. Conclusion

The final chapter summarizes the main findings, discusses their implications, and suggests areas for future research.

What four things should an introduction do

An introduction should accomplish four key things:

1. Captivate the Reader

Ensure your introduction has a compelling hook that grabs the reader’s attention and entices them to continue reading.

2. Provide Background Information

Offer relevant context and background information to establish the foundation and set the stage for the topic.

3. Present the Thesis Statement

Clearly state the main argument or central idea of the content, guiding the reader’s understanding and expectations.

4. Engage and Motivate

Create a sense of curiosity and engagement, motivating readers to explore the rest of the content and delve deeper into the subject matter.

What are the five parts of research

A research study generally consists of five essential parts:

The introduction provides an overview of the research topic, its significance, and the research’s purpose and objectives.

This section involves an in-depth analysis of existing studies and research related to the topic to establish a broader context.

In this part, the researcher outlines the research design, data collection methods, and any other procedures used in the study.

The results section presents the findings obtained from the research, often including statistical analysis and data representation.

Finally, the conclusion summarizes the key findings, discusses their implications, and provides recommendations for future research or action.

What are the parts of an introduction

An introduction typically consists of the following parts:

The hook grabs the reader’s attention and sparks interest in the topic.

Provide relevant context and background information to give readers a foundation to understand the topic.

The thesis statement succinctly states the main argument or central idea of the content.

Offer a brief overview of the main points or sections that will be addressed in the body of the content.

5. Transition (in longer pieces)

In longer pieces, a transition sentence or paragraph may be included to smoothly guide readers from the introduction to the main body.

What is important in a good introduction

A good introduction sets the tone and foundation for the rest of the content. It should accomplish the following:

• Capture readers’ attention with an engaging hook.
• Provide relevant background information to establish context.
• Clearly state the thesis statement to guide readers’ understanding.
• Give readers an overview of what to expect in the content.
• Establish a smooth transition into the main body of the piece.

How do you write a good introduction

Writing a good introduction is essential to engage readers and set the stage for the rest of the content. Here are some tips:

• Start with an attention-grabbing hook or intriguing statement to captivate readers.
• Provide relevant background information or context to give readers a clear understanding of the topic.
• Craft a concise and impactful thesis statement that clearly states the main argument or central idea.
• Give a brief overview of the main points or sections that will be covered in the body of the content.
• Ensure a smooth transition from the introduction to the main body by using transitional words or sentences.

What is the content of an introduction in a thesis

In a thesis, the introduction aims to establish the context, set the objectives, and present the main argument. The key components of an introduction in a thesis include:

• Background information about the research topic.
• Explanation of the problem or rationale behind the study.
• Scope and limitations of the research.
• Research objectives or questions.
• Significance and potential impact of the research.
• Brief overview of the research methodology.

What are the parts of an introduction in research

In a research paper, the introduction typically includes the following parts:

1. Background Information

Provide relevant context and background information to establish the foundation for the research.

2. Research Problem or Question

Clearly state the specific problem or research question that the study aims to address, explaining its significance.

3. Objective and Scope

Present the research objectives or the scope of the study, outlining what will be covered and what will be excluded.

4. Rationale or Justification

Discuss the reasons behind choosing the research topic and explain its relevance or potential impact.

5. Methodology (briefly)

Provide a brief overview of the research methodology, explaining the approach or methods used.

How do you write a 5-page essay

Writing a 5-page essay may seem like a daunting task, but with the right approach, it becomes manageable. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Plan your essay: Outline the main points or arguments you want to cover in each paragraph.

Introduction (approximately half a page): Start with a catchy hook, provide background information, and end with a thesis statement.

Body paragraphs (about three pages): Dedicate one paragraph to each main point or argument. Start with a topic sentence, provide supporting evidence, and explain how it relates to your thesis.

Counterargument/refutation (half a page): Address potential counterarguments and refute them with evidence.

Conclusion (half a page): Summarize the main points, restate the thesis, and leave the reader with a compelling closing thought.

Proofread and revise: Review your essay for clarity, coherence, and errors in grammar and punctuation.

How do you write a thesis introduction

Writing a thesis introduction involves the following components and steps:

Start with a hook or attention-grabbing statement to capture the reader’s interest.

Provide background information that establishes the context and relevance of your research.

Clearly state the research problem or question your thesis aims to address.

Present the objectives and scope of your research, specifying its significance and potential contributions.

Provide an overview of the research methodology and explain why it is appropriate for your study.

Establish the organization and structure of your thesis, briefly outlining each chapter or section.

Remember to keep your introduction concise, engaging, and focused on setting the stage for your thesis.

What are the sections of a thesis

A thesis typically includes the following sections:

1. Title Page

This page provides the title of your thesis, your name, the degree you are pursuing, the institution’s name, and the year of submission.

2. Abstract

The abstract offers a concise summary of the thesis, highlighting the research question, methodology, and main findings.

3. Table of Contents

The table of contents lists all the main sections and subsections of your thesis, including page numbers.

4. Introduction

The introduction establishes the background, objectives, scope, and significance of your research.

5. Literature Review

This section critically analyzes relevant studies, theories, and literature related to your research topic.

6. Methodology

The methodology section describes the research design, data collection methods, and analysis techniques employed.

Here, you present and discuss the findings obtained from your research, often including tables, graphs, or charts.

8. Discussion

The discussion section interprets the results, compares them to previous studies, and explains their implications.

9. Conclusion

The conclusion summarizes the main findings, discusses their broader implications, and suggests areas for future research.

10. References

This section lists all the sources cited or consulted during your research, following the appropriate citation style.

11. Appendices

Appendices include any additional information or supporting documents that are too extensive to include in the main body.

What is included in an introduction paragraph

An introduction paragraph usually includes the following elements:

• Hook or attention-grabbing statement.
• Background information or context about the topic.
• Thesis statement or main argument.
• Brief overview of the main points or sections that will be covered in the body.

These elements work together to engage the reader, provide necessary information, and set the stage for the rest of the content.

What are the parts of a thesis

• background information
• brief overview
• entire study
• essential parts
• introduction
• research paper
• topic sentence

Richard Edwards

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Introduction How to get an essay started

Getting started can often be difficult. Even professional writers say that the hardest part of writing is the beginning. Writing an introduction to an essay can therefore seem a daunting task, though it need not be so difficult, as long as you understand the purpose and the structure of the introduction. An example essay has been given to help you understand both of these, and there is a checklist at the end which you can use for editing your introduction.

Purpose of the introduction

When writing an introduction to an academic essay, it is useful to remember the main purpose of the introduction. In general, the introduction will introduce the topic to the reader by stating what the topic is and giving some general background information. This will help the reader to understand what you are writing about, and show why the topic is important. The introduction should also give the overall plan of the essay.

In short, the main purpose of the introduction is to:

• introduce the topic of the essay;
• give a general background of the topic;
• indicate the overall plan of the essay.

This last purpose is perhaps the most important, and is the reason why many writers choose to write the introduction last , after they have written the main body , because they need to know what the essay will contain before they can give a clear plan.

Structure of the introduction

Although essays vary in length and content, most essays will have the same overall structure, including the introduction. The structure is related to the purpose mentioned above. The introduction to an essay should have the following two parts:

• general statements (to introduce the topic and give the background);
• a thesis statement (to show the structure).

General statements

The general statements will introduce the topic of the essay and give background information. The background information for a short essay will generally just be one or two sentences. The general statements should become more and more specific thesis statement , which is the most specific sentence of the introduction--> as the introduction progresses, leading the reader into the essay (some writers talk about "attracting the readers' attention", though for an academic essay, this is less important). For longer essays, the general statements could include one or more definitions , or could classify the topic, and may cover more than one paragraph.

The following is an example of background statements for a short essay ( given below ):

Although they were invented almost a hundred years ago, for decades cars were only owned by the rich. Since the 60s and 70s they have become increasingly affordable, and now most families in developed nations, and a growing number in developing countries, own a car.

These sentences introduce the topic of the essay (cars) and give some background to this topic (situation in the past, the situation now). These sentences lead nicely into the thesis statement (see below).

Thesis statement

The thesis statement is the most important part of the introduction. It gives the reader clear information about the content of the essay, which will help them to understand the essay more easily. The thesis states the specific topic, and often lists the main (controlling) ideas that will be discussed in the main body. It may also indicate how the essay will be organised, e.g. in chronological order, order of importance, advantages/disadvantages, cause/effect. It is usually at the end of the introduction, and is usually (but not always) one sentence long.

In short, the thesis statement:

• states the specific topic of the essay;
• often lists the main (controlling) ideas of the essay;
• may indicate the method of organisation of the essay;
• is usually at the end of the introduction;
• is usually one sentence.

Here is an example of a thesis statement with no subtopics mentioned:

While cars have undoubted advantages, they also have significant drawbacks.

This thesis statement tells us the specific topic of the essay (advantages and disadvantages of cars) and the method of organisation (advantages should come first, disadvantages second). It is, however, quite general, and may have been written before the writer had completed the essay.

In the following thesis statement, the subtopics are named:

While cars have undoubted advantages, of which their convenience is the most apparent, they have significant drawbacks, most notably pollution and traffic problems.

This thesis gives us more detail, telling us not just the topic (advantages and disadvantages of cars) and the method of organisation (advantages first, disadvantages second), but also tells us the main ideas in the essay (convenience, pollution, traffic problems). This essay will probably have three paragraphs in the main body.

Example essay

Below is a discussion essay which looks at the advantages and disadvantages of car ownership. This essay is used throughout the essay writing section to help you understand different aspects of essay writing. Here it focuses on the thesis statement and general statements of the introduction (mentioned on this page), topic sentences , controlling ideas, and the summary and final comment of the conclusion. Click on the different areas (in the shaded boxes to the right) to highlight the different structural aspects in this essay.

Although they were invented almost a hundred years ago, for decades cars were only owned by the rich. Since the 60s and 70s they have become increasingly affordable, and now most families in developed nations, and a growing number in developing countries, own a car. While cars have undoubted advantages, of which their convenience is the most apparent, they have significant drawbacks, most notably pollution and traffic problems . The most striking advantage of the car is its convenience. When travelling long distance, there may be only one choice of bus or train per day, which may be at an unsuitable time. The car, however, allows people to travel at any time they wish, and to almost any destination they choose. Despite this advantage, cars have many significant disadvantages, the most important of which is the pollution they cause. Almost all cars run either on petrol or diesel fuel, both of which are fossil fuels. Burning these fuels causes the car to emit serious pollutants, such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrous oxide. Not only are these gases harmful for health, causing respiratory disease and other illnesses, they also contribute to global warming, an increasing problem in the modern world. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists (2013), transportation in the US accounts for 30% of all carbon dioxide production in that country, with 60% of these emissions coming from cars and small trucks. In short, pollution is a major drawback of cars. A further disadvantage is the traffic problems that they cause in many cities and towns of the world. While car ownership is increasing in almost all countries of the world, especially in developing countries, the amount of available roadway in cities is not increasing at an equal pace. This can lead to traffic congestion, in particular during the morning and evening rush hour. In some cities, this congestion can be severe, and delays of several hours can be a common occurrence. Such congestion can also affect those people who travel out of cities at the weekend. Spending hours sitting in an idle car means that this form of transport can in fact be less convenient than trains or aeroplanes or other forms of public transport. In conclusion, while the car is advantageous for its convenience , it has some important disadvantages, in particular the pollution it causes and the rise of traffic jams . If countries can invest in the development of technology for green fuels, and if car owners can think of alternatives such as car sharing, then some of these problems can be lessened.

Union of Concerned Scientists (2013). Car Emissions and Global Warming. www.ucsusa.org/clean vehicles/why-clean-cars/global-warming/ (Access date: 8 August, 2013)

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Below is a checklist for an essay introduction. Use it to check your own writing, or get a peer (another student) to help you.

Next section

Find out how to structure the main body of an essay in the next section.

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Go back to the previous section about essay structure .

Author: Sheldon Smith    ‖    Last modified: 26 January 2022.

Sheldon Smith is the founder and editor of EAPFoundation.com. He has been teaching English for Academic Purposes since 2004. Find out more about him in the about section and connect with him on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn .

Compare & contrast essays examine the similarities of two or more objects, and the differences.

Cause & effect essays consider the reasons (or causes) for something, then discuss the results (or effects).

Discussion essays require you to examine both sides of a situation and to conclude by saying which side you favour.

Problem-solution essays are a sub-type of SPSE essays (Situation, Problem, Solution, Evaluation).

Transition signals are useful in achieving good cohesion and coherence in your writing.

Reporting verbs are used to link your in-text citations to the information cited.

In this lesson, you will learn about the two parts of an introductory paragraph. An introductory paragraph is usually the first paragraph of an essay. The two parts of an introductory paragraph are as follows:

Thesis Statement

According to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Writing Center, the hook has two basic purposes:

• To draw the reader in
• To give context to the essay topic

Drawing the Reader In

As the writer, you only have one chance to draw your reader in and make them want to read your essay. While it can sometimes be difficult to know what combination of thoughts and words might draw your reader in, there are some things you can do to have a much better chance of success. Let’s explore this by looking at an example.

Imagine for a moment that you were asked to write an essay in response to the following question:

If you were writing an essay in response to that prompt, how could the first paragraph in your essay, the introductory paragraph, draw your reader in and make him or her want to read your essay? What kind of hook could you use?

Let’s explore this question by looking at a few examples of some approaches you could take.

• Elder Jorg Klebingat in a talk entitled “Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence” taught, “Whenever the adversary cannot persuade imperfect yet striving saints...to abandon belief in a personal and loving God, he employs a vicious campaign to put as much distance as possible between [us] and God...As long as [we] allow these voices to chisel away at [our] soul, [we] can’t approach the throne of God with real confidence.” This “campaign” Elder Klebingat describes between the adversary and us oftentimes results in something called “thinking errors.”
• I can remember vividly the first time I truly felt like giving up. It was in a Physical Education class in primary school and my teacher, Mr. Scott, needed me to successfully spike a volleyball over the net before the end of class that day. If I did not, I would not pass the class. Though his request was simple, to me it felt completely impossible. I had failed to fulfill his requirement for the past four days. Why would this day be any different? “What’s the use in trying?” I thought to myself. “I might as well just give up now and not even try instead of trying and failing in front of my peers.” I didn’t realize it at the time, but what I was suffering from in that moment was something far worse than a simple lack of athleticism. I had a thinking error.
• Take a moment to think back on one of the most challenging times of your life. What was it like? What caused it and what made it so hard? What impact did that difficult situation have on your mind? What thoughts did you have (and perhaps still have) as you worked through that difficult situation? Hard times are hard no matter what. A lot of times they are actually made harder though by our own minds. Keeping a healthy state of mind is hard and it can be even harder when going through challenges. This is largely due to the tendency we all have to commit thinking errors—false ways of thinking and viewing the world.

Giving Context to the Essay Topic

Another basic purpose of the hook is to give context to the essay topic. So what is “context” and why is it important when writing a hook? Let’s explore that a little bit further with a simple analogy.

Have you ever had access to a cell phone or computer? If so, you have likely seen or even used some of the “Map” applications or features it has. Perhaps you typed in your home address and then saw some satellite (aerial) images of your home. Perhaps you then zoomed out so you could see your yard, the surrounding neighborhood, and even some of the other neighborhoods close by. Maybe you even zoomed far out enough to see surrounding buildings, neighborhoods, or even cities you had not seen before—context around your own home or neighborhood that made you view where you live a little differently or more clearly.

Think of your hook and its purpose of giving context to your essay topic as the “zoom” feature of your essay. Much like the zoom feature on a digital map gives you context for your home by allowing you to see how it fits in with the neighborhood, surrounding neighborhoods, and even surrounding cities, the hook of your essay can give your reader context for your essay topic and thesis statement by zooming out a little so your reader can see how the topic you are addressing fits in with the other more broad (and perhaps more familiar) topics that surround it. Taking the time to adjust the “zoom” feature within your hook will ensure that your reader has enough context for your essay topic to find and understand your thesis statement (the heart and home) of your essay.

It may take some time and practice to determine how far you need to zoom out on your essay topic to provide your reader with the right amount of context to find and understand your thesis statement, so don’t be afraid to experiment a little bit. A good way to test if you are on the right track is to write out your best version of a hook (one that does what it can to draw your reader in and give context to your essay topic) and your best version of a thesis statement (a sentence that establishes the controlling idea of your essay based on your essay topic) and then have a close family member or friend read it over. If the hook zooms out enough (gives enough context) for your thesis statement to seem logical and make sense, then you probably have the right amount of zoom. If not, then you may have to look at zooming out or in a bit more so the location and content of your thesis statement make sense.

Ponder and Record

As you review the above material, please consider the following questions and record your answers:

• Based on what you read in the “Drawing the Reader In” section above, which approach are you likely to take when writing your hook (for instance, will you share an engaging example, a thought-provoking quote, a related personal experience, or a series of thoughtful questions)?
• How could you also use those approaches in the “drawing your reader in” section to give context (or the right amount of zoom) to your essay topic?

Another important part of the introductory paragraph is the thesis statement. The thesis statement serves as the road map for the rest of your essay —it indicates the controlling idea you will be focusing on throughout your essay (your response to the prompt question) and also outlines the controlling ideas of each of your body paragraphs.

To write a truly effective thesis statement, there are a few simple things you should remember. Your thesis statement should do the following:

• Indicate the controlling idea of the essay.
• Outline the controlling idea of each body paragraph of your essay.
• Be the last sentence in the introductory paragraph.
• Be reviewed (and rewritten, if necessary).

Indicate the Controlling Idea of the Essay

One of the keys to a great basic (or body) paragraph is a single controlling idea—as stated in the topic sentence of that paragraph. The basic essay is no different. Just as the basic paragraph requires a single controlling idea, so too does the basic essay. And just as that controlling idea is established in the topic sentence of a basic paragraph, the controlling idea of the basic essay is established within its thesis statement.

To illustrate this idea, let’s look at an example. Imagine once again that you were asked to write an essay in response to the following question:

What might your answer be? Perhaps it might be something like the following:

The answer to that question indicates the controlling idea of your essay. Since one of the roles of your thesis statement is to establish the controlling idea of your essay, this same answer, if phrased properly, can become the thesis statement for your essay.

Based on the prompt question example above, what would your thesis (or answer) for that prompt question be?

Outline the Controlling Idea of Each Body Paragraph

Another thing your thesis should do is outline the controlling ideas for each of your body paragraphs. Sometimes, the prompt question you are answering asks for only one specific answer, resulting in just one specific controlling idea in one body paragraph. This is the case with the prompt question above. It asks for one thing that can be done to overcome a specific thinking error.

This is not always the case though. Many prompt questions may ask for two or three items to be focused on instead of just one. What might a thesis statement like that look like? How could a thesis statement indicate not only the controlling idea for the entire essay, but also the controlling ideas that will be addressed by the two or three body paragraphs to follow?

Let’s explore this by looking at a different version of the same prompt question. Imagine for a moment that the prompt question did not simply ask for “one thing” you could do to overcome a specific answer, but rather “two” or “three”? It might be something like the following:

What might a thesis statement that needs to address not just one but three things a person can do to overcome a specific thinking error look like? It could take on many forms, one of which can be seen in the example below:

Notice how this thesis statement answers the prompt question while also outlining the controlling ideas for each of the three body paragraphs to follow?

How might your thesis statement change if the prompt question asked to indicate not one but three things you could do to overcome a thinking error?

This expectation sounds simple, but you would be surprised by how many students struggle with this sometimes. When writing a basic essay, it is important that you place your thesis statement at the end of your introductory paragraph. It should come after the hook, as shown in the graphic below:

This will help your reader to quickly identify the direction your essay is headed. It will also help your reader know what controlling ideas will likely be shared in your other body paragraphs.

Be Reviewed (and Rewritten, if Necessary)

Sometimes, the body paragraphs and their supporting details slightly (or even greatly) change the direction of the essay or your answer to the prompt question. After you have written the other parts of your essay (especially the body paragraphs) it is always a good idea to go back and review the introductory paragraph (specifically the thesis statement) to ensure that the thesis “answer” to the prompt question and the answer you support throughout the body paragraphs of your paper match with one another.

Think of it this way, how frustrated would you be if you were promised a map to the local theme park for a day of fun, only to receive directions to an oil refinery? You would likely be frustrated by the fact that what you were promised up-front was not delivered to you in the end.

Always make sure the roadmap you issue to your reader in the introductory paragraph matches the actual directions they receive in the body of your essay.

• What are the four keys to writing a powerful thesis statement?
• Why should the thesis statement be placed at the end of the introductory paragraph? Why not the beginning?
• Why would it be important to revisit the introductory paragraph after the rest of the essay has been written? What purpose would that serve?

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UMGC Effective Writing Center The Introductory Paragraph

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The paragraph that begins an essay causes students the most trouble, yet carries the most importance. Although its precise construction varies from genre to genre (and from essay to essay), good introductory paragraphs generally accomplish the same tasks and follow a few basic patterns. Some of them are listed below, but keep in mind that what follows are guidelines, not immutable templates.

Tasks:  The introductory paragraph to a short essay usually attempts to do three things:

• Introduce the topic  with some indication of its inherent interest or importance, and a clear definition of the boundaries of the subject area
• Indicate the structure and/or methodology of the essay , often with the major sections of the essay or its structural principle clearly stated
• State the thesis of the essay , preferably in a single, arguable statement with a clear main clause

Not every essay does all three in the first paragraph, and the degree to which an essay declares its structure or methodology may vary widely, depending on how necessary that information will be to the readers. Sometimes, the entire first paragraph will serve no other purpose than to generate interest in the subject or raise a question, leaving the other tasks for the second paragraph. However, this kind of opening requires a lot of skill, and you can lose your readers in the second and third paragraphs if do not make your purpose clear.

Patterns:  The standard pattern for an introductory paragraph follows the order of the tasks outlined above. Below is an outline of that pattern, written as if it were the first section of a formal outline of the entire essay:

Introduction

• Its boundaries
• Why it is interesting
• The essay’s main sections (structure)
• Why they come in that order (structural principle)
• How the author plans to draw the necessary conclusions from the information available (methodology)
• Its premise (the general claim about the information available)
• Its conclusion (the consequences of the first claim)

Not every essay contains every element in precisely this order, but most good essays cover all of them, either explicitly or implicitly. In longer and more scholarly essays, the structure/methodology section should be longer, or can even be its own paragraph. It should also include some mention of the essay’s position within the field as a whole.

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Awesome Guide on How to Write an Essay Introduction

'I'd like to recall the day I nearly burned myself in flames in my automobile while going 250 mph and escaping the police'. – Thankfully, we don't have a story like that to relate to, but we bet we piqued your interest.

That's what we refer to as an efficient hook. Fundamentally, it's an attention-grabbing first sentence that piques an audience's interest and encourages them to keep reading. While writing an essay, a strong hook in essay introductions is essential.

Delve into the article if you're wondering how to start an essay with a strong introduction. This is the ultimate guide for writing the parts of a introduction paragraph from our custom dissertation writing service to engage your readers.

Introduction Definition

The introduction paragraph, to put it simply, is the first section of an essay. Thus, when reading your essay, the reader will notice it right away. What is the goal of an opening paragraph? There are two things that an excellent introduction achieves. It initially informs the reader on the subject of your work; in other words, it should describe the essay's topic and provide some background information for its main point. It must also spark readers' interest and persuade them to read the remainder of your article.

To provide you with essay writing services , we only need your paper requirements to create a plagiarism-free paper on time.

How Long Should an Introduction Be

Typically, there are no strict restrictions on how long an opening paragraph should be. Professional essay writers often shape the size of it with the paper's total length in mind. For instance, if you wonder how to make introduction in essay with five paragraphs, keep your introductory sentence brief and fit it inside a single section. But, if you're writing a longer paper, let's say one that's 40 pages, your introduction could need many paragraphs or even be pages long.

Although there are no specific requirements, seasoned writers advise that your introduction paragraph should account for 8% to 9% of your essay's overall word length.

And, if you place an order on our coursework writing services , we will certainly comply with your introduction length requirements.

What Makes a Good Introduction

All of the following criteria should be fulfilled by a strong opening sentence:

• Start your introduction on an essay with a catchy sentence that draws the reader in.
• It needs to include baseline information about your subject.
• This should give readers a sense of the main argument(s) that your essay will address.
• It must include all necessary information on the setting, locations, and chronological events.
• By the end of your introduction, make a precise remark that serves as your essay's thesis.

What Are the 3 Parts of an Introduction Paragraph

So, what should be in a introduction paragraph? The introduction format essay has three sections: a hook, connections, and a thesis statement. Let's examine each component in more depth.

Part 1: Essay Hook

A hook is among the most effective parts of a introduction paragraph to start an essay. A strong hook will always engage the reader in only one sentence. In other words, it is a selling point.

Let's now address the query, 'how to make an essay introduction hook interesting?'. Well, to create a powerful hook, you can employ a variety of techniques:

• A shocking fact
• An anecdote 
• A short summary

And here is what to avoid when using a hook:

• Dictionary definitions
• Generalizations
• Sweeping statements that include words like 'everywhere,' 'always,' etc.

Once you've established a strong hook, you should give a general outline of your major point and some background information on the subject of your paper. If you're unsure how to write an introduction opening, the ideal approach is to describe your issue briefly before directing readers to particular areas. Simply put, you need to give some context before gradually getting more specific with your opinions.

The 5 Types of Hooks for Writing

Apart from the strategies mentioned above, there are even more types of hooks that can be used:

• A Common Misconception — a good trick, to begin with, to claim that something your readers believe in is false.

Example: 'Although many falsely believe that people working from home are less productive – employees who get such work-life benefits generally work harder.'

• Statistics — Statistical facts may provide a great hook for argumentative essays and serious subjects focusing on statistics.

Example: 'A recent study showed that people who are satisfied with their work-life balance work 21% harder and are 33% more likely to stay at the same company.'

• Personal Story — sometimes, personal stories can be an appropriate hook, but only if they fit into a few brief sentences (for example, in narrative essays).

Example: 'When I had my first work-from-home experience, I suddenly realized the importance of having a good work-life balance; I saw plenty of the benefits it can provide.'

• Scenes — this type of hook requires making the readers imagine the things you are writing about. It is most suitable when used in descriptive and narrative essays.

Example: 'Imagine you could have as much free time as you wish by working or studying from home—and spend more time with your loved ones.'

• Thesis Statement — when unsure how to do an essay introduction, some writers start directly with their thesis statement. The main trick here is that there is no trick.

Example: 'I strongly believe there is a direct correlation between a healthy work-life balance and productivity in school or at work.'

Part 2: Connections

Give readers a clearer sense of what you will discuss throughout your article once you have given a hook and relevant background information about your essay topic. Briefly mentioning your main points in the same sequence in which you will address them in your body paragraphs can help your readers progressively arrive at your thesis statement.

In this section of your introduction, you should primarily address the following questions:

You may make sure that you are giving your readers all the information they need to understand the subject of your essay by responding to each of these questions in two to three lines. Be careful to make these statements brief and to the point, though.

Your main goal is gradually moving from general to specific facts about your subject or thesis statement. Visualize your introduction as an upside-down triangle to simplify the essay writing process. The attention-grabbing element is at the top of this triangle, followed by a more detailed description of the subject and concluding with a highly precise claim. Here is some quick advice on how to use the 'upside-down triangle' structure to compose an essay introduction:

• Ensure that each subsequent line in your introduction is more focused and precise. This simple method will help you progressively introduce the main material of your piece to your audience.
• Consider that you are writing a paper on the value of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. In this situation, you may start with a query like, 'Have you ever considered how a healthy work-life balance can affect other areas of your life?' or a similar hook. Next, you could proceed by giving broad factual information. Finally, you could focus your topic on fitting your thesis statement.

Part 3: The Thesis Statement

If you're unsure of the ideal method to create an introduction, you should be particularly attentive to how you phrase your thesis statement.

The thesis of your work is, without a doubt, the most crucial section. Given that the thesis statement of your piece serves as the foundation for the entire essay, it must be presented in the introduction. A thesis statement provides readers with a brief summary of the article's key point. Your main assertion is what you'll be defending or disputing in the body of your essay. An effective thesis statement is often one sentence long, accurate, exact, unambiguous, and focused. Your thesis should often be provided at the end of your introduction.

Here is an example thesis statement for an essay about the value of a proper work-life balance to help you gain a better understanding of what a good thesis should be:

Thesis Statement Example: 'Creating flexible and pleasant work schedules for employees can help them have a better work-life balance while also increasing overall performance.'

Catchy Introductions for Different Essay Types

Although opening paragraphs typically have a fixed form, their language may vary. In terms of academic essays, students are often expected to produce four primary intro to essay examples. They include articles that are analytical, argumentative, personal, and narrative. It is assumed that different information should appear in these beginning paragraphs since the goals of each sort of essay change. A thorough overview of the various paper kinds is provided below, along with some good essay introduction samples from our argumentative essay writers:

Narrative Introduction

• The writer of a narrative essay must convey a story in this style of writing. Such essays communicate a story, which distinguishes them from other essay types in a big way.
• Such a paper's hook will often be an enticing glimpse into a specific scene that only loosely links to the thesis statement. Additionally, when writing such an essay, a writer should ensure that every claim included in the introduction relates to some important moments that have significantly impacted the story's outcome.
• The thesis in narrative writing is usually the theme or main lesson learned from the story.

Narrative introduction example: 'My phone rang, and my mother told me that Dad had suffered a heart attack. I suddenly experienced a sense of being lifted out from under me by this immaculately carpeted flooring. After making it through, Dad left me with a sizable collection of lessons. Here are three principles that I know dad would have wanted me to uphold...'

Still Can't Think of a Perfect Intro?

When assigned to write an essay, students end up with a ton of questions, including 'How to structure an essay?', 'How to choose a good topic?'. Here at EssayPro, we employ only the best essay writers who are committed to students’ success.

Analytical Introduction

• Analytical essay introduction format is another popular type. In contrast to a narrative paper, an analytical paper seeks to explore an idea and educate the reader about a topic.
• Three important facts that support the analytical premise should be included in the middle section of the introduction.
• A well-researched and well-thought-out claim will form a wonderful thesis because the main goal of this paper is to study the topic and educate readers. It's crucial to remember that this assertion shouldn't initially have any real weight. Although it will still be theoretical, it has to be articulated practically.

Analytical introduction example: “... Hence even though presidents, CEOs, and generals still have their daily schedules full of economic crises and military conflicts, on the cosmic scale of history humankind can lift its eyes up and start looking towards new horizons. If we bring famine, plague, and war under control, what will replace them at the top of the human agenda? Like firefighters in a world without fire, so humankind in the twenty-first century needs to ask itself an unprecedented question: what are we going to do with ourselves? What will demand our attention and ingenuity in a healthy, prosperous, and harmonious world? In a healthy, prosperous, and harmonious world, what will demand our attention and ingenuity? This question becomes doubly urgent given the immense new powers that biotechnology and information technology are providing us with. What will we do with all that power? ...” Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, Yuval Noah Harari

Persuasive Introduction

• To persuade readers of anything is the sole goal of persuasive essay writing. This may be accomplished using persuasive strategies like ethos, pathos, and logos.
• A hook statement for this paper may be anything from a fascinating fact to even comedy. You can use whatever technique you choose. The most crucial advice is to ensure your hook is in line with your thesis and that it can bolster further justifications.
• Generally speaking, a persuasive essay must include three supporting facts. Hence, to gradually lead readers to the major topic of your paper, add a quick summary of your three arguments in your introduction.
• Last, the thesis statement should be the main claim you will be disputing in this paper. It should be a brief, carefully thought-out, and confident statement of your essay's major argument.

Persuasive introduction example: 'Recycling waste helps to protect the climate. Besides cleaning the environment, it uses waste materials to create valuable items. Recycling initiatives must be running all around the world. ...'

Personal Introduction

• The final sort of academic writing that students frequently encounter is a personal essay. In principle, this essay style is creative nonfiction and requires the author to reflect on personal experiences. The goals of such a paper may be to convey a story, discuss the lessons that certain incidents have taught you, etc. This type of writing is unique since it is the most personal.
• Whatever topic you choose can serve as the hook for such an essay. A pertinent remark, query, joke, or fact about the primary plot or anything else will be acceptable. The backdrop of your narrative should then be briefly explained after that. Lastly, a thesis statement can describe the impact of particular experiences on you and what you learned.

Personal introduction example: 'My parents always pushed me to excel in school and pursue new interests like playing the saxophone and other instruments. I felt obligated to lead my life in a way that met their standards. Success was always expected on the route they had set out for me. Yet eight years after my parents' separation, this course was diverted when my dad relocated to California...'

Tips for Writing a Winning Introduction Paragraph

You now understand how to do introduction and have specific intro example for essays to help you get going. Let's quickly examine what you should and shouldn't do during the writing process.

• Keep the assignment's purpose in mind when you write your introduction, and ensure it complies with your instructor's requirements.
• Use a compelling and relevant hook to grab the reader's attention immediately.
• Make sure your readers understand your perspective to make it apparent.
• If necessary, establish key terms related to your subject.
• Show off your expertise on the subject.
• Provide a symbolic road map to help readers understand what you discuss throughout the post.
• Be brief; it's recommended that your introduction make up no more than 8 to 9 percent of the entire text (for example, 200 words for a 2500 words essay).
• Construct a strong thesis statement.
• Create some intrigue.
• Make sure there is a clear and smooth transition from your introduction to the body of your piece.
• If you're looking for a custom writer , request assistance from the EssayPro team. We know how to write a term paper along with many other types of essays.

Don'ts

• Provide too much background information.
• Use sentences that are off-topic or unnecessary.
• Make your opening paragraph excessively long.
• Keep some information a secret and reveal it later in conclusion.
• Employ overused phrases or generalizations.
• Using quotation marks excessively

Now that you know what is in the introduction of an essay, we recommend reading the information on how to critique an article to gain more academic insight.

If you are still struggling with that, keep in mind that you can always send us your request to get professional assistance from our law essay writing service .

Get Help With Your ESSAY INTRO!

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How To Write An Essay Introduction?

What is the purpose of the introduction in an essay, how to start an essay introduction.

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

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Traditional Academic Essays In Three Parts

Part i: the introduction.

An introduction is usually the first paragraph of your academic essay. If you’re writing a long essay, you might need 2 or 3 paragraphs to introduce your topic to your reader. A good introduction does 2 things:

• Gets the reader’s attention. You can get a reader’s attention by telling a story, providing a statistic, pointing out something strange or interesting, providing and discussing an interesting quote, etc. Be interesting and find some original angle via which to engage others in your topic.
• Provides a specific and debatable thesis statement. The thesis statement is usually just one sentence long, but it might be longer—even a whole paragraph—if the essay you’re writing is long. A good thesis statement makes a debatable point, meaning a point someone might disagree with and argue against. It also serves as a roadmap for what you argue in your paper.

Part II: The Body Paragraphs

Body paragraphs help you prove your thesis and move you along a compelling trajectory from your introduction to your conclusion. If your thesis is a simple one, you might not need a lot of body paragraphs to prove it. If it’s more complicated, you’ll need more body paragraphs. An easy way to remember the parts of a body paragraph is to think of them as the MEAT of your essay:

Main Idea. The part of a topic sentence that states the main idea of the body paragraph. All of the sentences in the paragraph connect to it. Keep in mind that main ideas are…

• like labels. They appear in the first sentence of the paragraph and tell your reader what’s inside the paragraph.
• arguable. They’re not statements of fact; they’re debatable points that you prove with evidence.
• focused. Make a specific point in each paragraph and then prove that point.

Evidence. The parts of a paragraph that prove the main idea. You might include different types of evidence in different sentences. Keep in mind that different disciplines have different ideas about what counts as evidence and they adhere to different citation styles. Examples of evidence include…

• quotations and/or paraphrases from sources.
• facts , e.g. statistics or findings from studies you’ve conducted.
• narratives and/or descriptions , e.g. of your own experiences.

Analysis. The parts of a paragraph that explain the evidence. Make sure you tie the evidence you provide back to the paragraph’s main idea. In other words, discuss the evidence.

Transition. The part of a paragraph that helps you move fluidly from the last paragraph. Transitions appear in topic sentences along with main ideas, and they look both backward and forward in order to help you connect your ideas for your reader. Don’t end paragraphs with transitions; start with them.

Keep in mind that MEAT does not occur in that order. The “ T ransition” and the “ M ain Idea” often combine to form the first sentence—the topic sentence—and then paragraphs contain multiple sentences of evidence and analysis. For example, a paragraph might look like this: TM. E. E. A. E. E. A. A.

Part III: The Conclusion

A conclusion is the last paragraph of your essay, or, if you’re writing a really long essay, you might need 2 or 3 paragraphs to conclude. A conclusion typically does one of two things—or, of course, it can do both:

• Summarizes the argument. Some instructors expect you not to say anything new in your conclusion. They just want you to restate your main points. Especially if you’ve made a long and complicated argument, it’s useful to restate your main points for your reader by the time you’ve gotten to your conclusion. If you opt to do so, keep in mind that you should use different language than you used in your introduction and your body paragraphs. The introduction and conclusion shouldn’t be the same.
• For example, your argument might be significant to studies of a certain time period .
• Alternately, it might be significant to a certain geographical region .
• Alternately still, it might influence how your readers think about the future . You might even opt to speculate about the future and/or call your readers to action in your conclusion.

Handout by Dr. Liliana Naydan. Do not reproduce without permission.

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5 Parts of an Introduction Paragraph in an Essay or Paper

parts of introduction paragraph

Every essay or paper you come up with must begin with an introduction paragraph. An introduction paragraph allows you to introduce or present your paper to your readers.

Ideally, you should begin the initial process by presenting a wider scope of the topic. Afterwards, gradually narrow the scope to come up with a more focused point.

Depending on the length of your essay or paper, the introduction may contain one or two paragraphs. We took a poll from our essay writers and found that most introductions are done in only one paragraph.

A short essay or paper will contain a one-paragraph introduction, while a longer paper may contain two paragraphs. It all depends on the content to be incorporated into the introduction paragraph.

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Parts of an Introduction Paragraph in an Essay or Paper

The introduction should also explain your new perspectives on the topic. Provide a roadmap of your writing, and hook the audience so that they can read the essay.

In doing so, the introduction sentence elaborates on the stakes and establishes your credibility/authority as a writer.

The main parts of an introduction paragraph of your essay are; an attention grabber, a topic description, an explanation of the topic’s relevance, an outline of the main points, and the thesis of the paper.

Each of these parts does not exist in isolation but as part of the entire paragraph. Each is linked to the other to present a coherent and eye-catching introductory paragraph as a whole.

We can break a good introduction paragraph into five main parts for easy reference and understanding.

Components of an Introduction Paragraph

The following are the five parts and the function each plays in the paragraph;

• Opening Statement or Question – Grabs the Attention
• The Topic Statement – Introduces the Topic
• Relevance sentence – Validates the Topic
• The Main Points – Outlines the Essay’s body
• Thesis Statement – Gives the Purpose of the essay

Let us comprehensively explore all these components in detail. Each section below explains what those parts of a paragraph entail. Also, why they should be incorporated into every introduction of essays or papers.

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1. Opening Statement or Question – Grabs the Attention

This should be the first part of an introduction. It is a way of getting your readers’ attention so they can continue reading your essay or paper.

A good opening statement or question makes a person who is not interested in reading your paper instantly want to know what your paper is all about.

No matter how good the body part of your essay/paper is, a poorly written opening statement that does not evoke a reader’s curiosity. It will most likely reduce their curiosity to read more.

The opening statement or question acts as a first impression that will determine the readers’ willingness to read. Here, you can choose to start your paragraph with either a statement or a question depending on the essay’s purpose.

If you decide to start with an opening statement, ensure that it is an interesting statement your readers want to know more about.

In our other guide, we showed examples of good starter sentences for essays which can come in handy if you are stuck. For instance, if you choose to do an opening question, pose an interesting query that relates to the essay’s purpose.

2. The Topic Statement – Introduces the Topic

This part should come immediately after the opening statement or question. Though you can expound a little on the opening part, you should not waste a lot of time.

In this part of an introduction paragraph for an essay or a paper, you should tell your readers more about the topic and what it is all about.

The reason for doing so immediately after the attention-grabber is to ensure that the readers connect the topic to what has aroused their curiosity.

The part introducing the topic should also provide some background information about the particular purpose of your essay or paper.

This is very important because it helps your readers perceive the reason behind your topic selection. It helps the reader to understand why you are writing about a specific topic instead of others.

Providing relevant background information about the purpose of the essay will also ease the transition of your readers to the main points of the paper or essay.

This is the reason why there is a part within the introduction sometimes referred to as the “transitional part.”

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3. The Relevance Sentence – Validates the Topic

This part explains the relevance of the topic to the readers. This should come between the opening statement/introduction of the topic and the thesis statement.

It is important to transition your readers from being curious to want to learn from what you are writing about. Otherwise, why should your readers continue to read your essay or paper?

This part should demonstrate the topic’s relevance to your readers by helping them relate the issues that will be discussed to their perspectives.

Again, this part of the introduction paragraph bridges the attention grabber to the topic so that the topic can be relevant to the readers. Note that the readers’ attention has been grabbed because it relates to their perspectives.

Therefore, connecting the attention grabber to the topic demonstrates the topic’s relevance to the reader.

Here, you can also provide some more background information concerning the reason why the attention-grabber is relevant to the topic and the readers.

4. The Main Points – outlines the essay’s body

Though the outline of the main points has been taken as the last part of the introduction paragraph, it should not come after the thesis statement.

The thesis should be the last sentence of your introduction paragraph. In some cases, the outline of the main points can be summarized and incorporated within the thesis statement.

In cases where the thesis statement and the outline summary are separate parts, the latter should come before the thesis statement.

Ideally, this part should give your readers an overview of the main points. It is one of the things we explained as a big step in our guide on how to write an essay that we talked about. This is key for someone to read the essay.

4. Thesis Statement – Gives the Purpose of the essay

This is the most important part of your introduction paragraph. It is a clear statement, normally a complete sentence, providing the overall point you will make within the body paragraphs of your paper.

The thesis statement states the argument of your paper.

The thesis statement or purpose should be clear and straightforward.

However, if it is a different statement, you should not write it as a question or a complete/conclusive statement.

Read more on how to write a thesis statement in our guide on how to write essays and learn more.

Let the thesis statement allow your readers to have other thoughts concerning the topic so that you can use the rest of your paper to convince them about your stand.

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How to Write an Introduction for an Essay

Now that we have discussed the main parts of an introduction paragraph for an essay or a paper, it is important to understand how to write an introduction for the same.

This is because you may know the main parts of the introduction paragraph and fail to understand how to write them. Don’t worry. In this section, we are going to discuss how to write an introduction for an essay.

As aforementioned, the introduction of your essay or paper should hook the audience so that they can read the whole essay or paper, describe the topic, explain the relevance of your topic, and elaborate on the stakes at hand.

It should also establish your credibility/authority as a writer, explain your new perspectives towards the topic, provide a roadmap of your writing, outline the main points, and finally state the purpose or thesis of your paper.

Remembering this , you can easily follow the different strategies of writing the introduction. Explaining the whole essay, in brief, is the main purpose of writing an introduction to an essay and any other text, not just papers.

When writing an opening statement, make sure to hook the audience. You can do this by posing an interesting question or fact that should arouse the curiosity of your readers.

Depending on your paper’s nature, such statements or questions can also be controversial or provocative. The second option is to write a little-known or surprising fact that connects with your topic.

This is where you begin with: “Did you know that…” You can also start with a quote. The most important thing to note here is that you should provide something interesting and relevant when writing an opening statement.

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Naming the Topic

When writing the second part of the introduction paragraph concerning the topic introduction, make sure that you have named your topic.

At the same time, explain your topic so that it resonates with your readers. If your essay or paper is meant to be read by your instructor, you should write at the level he or she can relate to and understand best. On the other hand, if your peers read the essay, you should write at their level of understanding.

When it comes to writing a summary of the main points, make sure that you attune the main points to the thesis statement. In doing this, use the General to Specific structure to introduce the essay well.

This is because they will help explain and defend your thesis statement, located at the end of the introduction paragraph. After that last sentence of the introduction, the other body paragraphs follow. The number of paragraphs in the essay will be determined by several factors that you can read on.

While writing this part, give the readers a general perspective of how your points within the paper will be organized. One good example of organizing points is the Kasen Paragraphing method which has a specific way to present points

Finally, when coming up with a thesis statement, decide if you are going to incorporate a summary of the main points within it or it is going to be a different statement.

To learn more about how to write every part of essay writing, read our comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to write an essay, and learn all that you need. In that guide, you will know how to write an introduction, an outline, body paragraphs, conclusion, and formatting of an essay.

Here is a video tutorial on the parts of an introductory paragraph.

With over 10 years in academia and academic assistance, Alicia Smart is the epitome of excellence in the writing industry. She is our managing editor and is in charge of the writing operations at Grade Bees.

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Guide to Writing Strong Introductions for Argumentative Essays

Table of contents

Have you ever stared at a blank document, the cursor blinking back at you, as your mind races to conjure the perfect starting line for your argumentative essay? If so, you're in good company.

Opening an essay is often the most daunting part for many students. They oscillate between typing out a line and hastily hitting the backspace, feeling the pressure of that first sentence. After all, first impressions matter, right? So, your introduction should be nothing short of spectacular.

But here's the good news - crafting a powerful introduction for your argumentative essay is not as elusive as it seems. In fact, we've got a few tricks up our sleeve to help you out, and trust us, they work!

This blog post is dedicated to anyone who has ever struggled with introducing their argumentative essay - so essentially, every student ever! We're going to break it down, step by step, showing you the do's and don'ts, the tips and tricks, and even providing you with some solid examples.

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And if you're worried about whether you can do it on your own, don't fret! Our expert argumentative essay writers at Writers Per Hour are always ready to help you.

So, let's dive into the art of crafting a compelling introduction for an argumentative essay, shall we?

Understanding the Purpose of an Introduction

Before we get into the nuts and bolts of writing a killer introduction, it's important to understand why it matters so much.

Your introduction, essentially, sets the stage for your argumentative essay. It is your reader's first glimpse into the argument you're about to unfold. An effective introduction grabs your reader's attention, piques their interest, and provides a clear road map for what's to come in the essay.

In simpler words, the purpose of an introduction in an argumentative essay is threefold:

Engage the reader : A well-crafted introduction acts as a hook, capturing the reader's attention and encouraging them to read further.

Provide background information : It sets the context of the argument by offering necessary background details about the topic.

Present the thesis statement : Arguably the most critical part of your introduction - the thesis statement clearly outlines your position on the argument.

REMEMBER : a great introduction is your ticket to a good grade. It is the first impression you make on your reader. So, if it isn't engaging, concise, and clear, you might lose your reader before they even get to the main argument.

The Anatomy of a Good Argumentative Essay Introduction

Now that you understand the purpose of an introduction, let's break down the structure.

An effective introduction to an argumentative essay will generally have three main sections: a hook, background information, and a thesis statement.

The Hook : This is the first sentence of your introduction, and it needs to grab your reader’s attention. An effective hook could be a surprising fact, a rhetorical question, or an intriguing statement that challenges common perceptions. This needs to be relevant to your topic and should provoke curiosity, pushing the reader to continue.

Background Information : Following the hook, provide some context to your argument. Explain the relevance of your topic or problem, its history or evolution, or the common debates surrounding it. This provides a basic understanding for your reader and sets the stage for your argument.

Thesis Statement : This is where you state your position clearly and concisely. The thesis statement is arguably the most important part of your introduction—it is the crux of your argument and should be compelling and thought-provoking. It needs to clearly indicate what your argument is and give a hint of how you plan to approach it.

IMPORTANT : your introduction is not a place to present all your evidence or explain every aspect of your argument—that's what the body of your essay is for. Instead, your introduction should hint at these things, creating a roadmap for the reader.

Dos and Don’ts of Writing an Introduction for an Argumentative Essay

Crafting a strong introduction for your argumentative essay is about adhering to some key dos and don’ts. Let's take a look at some of these:

1. Engage your reader : Your introduction's first job is to engage the reader. You can achieve this with a compelling hook that draws them into your essay. Remember, first impressions matter!

2. Provide relevant background information : Your reader may not be as knowledgeable about your topic as you are, so be sure to provide some context and background information to help them understand your argument.

3. State your thesis clearly : Your thesis statement should be clear, concise, and debatable. The reader should have no doubts about your stance on the issue.

4. Preview your argument : Give your reader a sense of what's to come by previewing your main points or arguments. This prepares them for the rest of your essay.

1. Don't make your introduction too long : Remember, the introduction is just a sneak peek into your essay, not the main event. Keep it concise and to the point.

2. Don't use clichés : Starting your essay with clichéd phrases or overused quotes can make your introduction feel unoriginal. Instead, aim for a fresh and unique opening line that will pique your reader's interest.

3. Don't be vague : Be clear and precise in your introduction. Vague statements can confuse your reader and make your argument seem weak.

4. Don't forget your audience : Always keep your audience in mind while writing. Your language, tone, and the context you provide should be appropriate for your audience.

REMEMBER : your introduction sets the tone for the rest of your essay, so take your time with it.

Step-by-Step Guide on Writing the Introduction

Crafting an engaging introduction for your argumentative essay is like setting the stage for a compelling drama. It should hook your audience, provide context, and present your stance on the issue. But how can you bring all these elements together effectively? Let's break it down step-by-step. Here's your comprehensive guide to writing a riveting introduction for your argumentative essay.

Step 1: Understanding Your Topic

Before you begin writing, ensure that you thoroughly understand the topic and the argument you wish to present. This means going beyond surface-level research and really digging deep into the subject matter.

Step 2: Define Your Stance

Clearly outline your stance on the argument. This will be the foundation of your thesis statement and guide the tone and direction of your essay.

Step 3: Craft a Compelling Hook 

Begin your introduction with a hook - an interesting fact, a question, a quote, or a compelling statement that grabs the reader's attention.

Step 4: Provide Background Information

Next, provide some context to your reader about the topic at hand. Remember not to delve too deep into the specifics - just enough information to guide the reader to understand the relevance of your argument.

Step 5: State Your Thesis

Lastly, present your thesis statement - a concise summary of your main argument. This should be clear, precise, and strongly worded. The thesis statement will guide the entirety of your essay, so make sure it's impactful.

Step 6: Preview Your Main Points 

Briefly preview the main points that you will elaborate on in the body of your essay. This helps your reader to understand what to expect from the rest of your argumentative essay.

Step 7: Revise and Edit

Always revise and edit your introduction after writing. Look for any grammar mistakes, unclear sentences or ideas, and ensure that your introduction smoothly transitions into the body of your essay.

REMEMBER : the introduction is the first impression your reader gets of your argumentative essay. Make it impactful, clear, and concise, and you'll have set a strong foundation for the rest of your essay. If you're ever in doubt, reach out to our legal essay writing service , and we'll help guide you on your journey to mastering argumentative essays.

Case Study: Good vs. Bad Introduction

Bad Introduction : "The topic I am writing about is the use of social media. It is very popular. People are always on their phones checking their social media accounts. I am going to talk about if it is good or bad."

Analysis : This introduction falls flat for several reasons. It doesn't grab the reader's attention, and the thesis statement is unclear and broad. It doesn't offer any specific viewpoint or direction for the argument to follow.

Good Introduction : "Every minute, approximately 500 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube, 347,222 stories are posted on Instagram, and 2.4 million snaps are created on Snapchat. The rise of social media platforms is more than a trend - it's a global phenomenon. But as these virtual communities continue to grow, a vital question arises: Is the widespread use of social media enhancing human connection or creating deeper isolation? This essay will delve into the multifaceted impacts of social media, arguing that despite its potential for fostering a global network, it often serves as a platform that promotes isolation and disconnection."

Analysis : This introduction starts with an attention-grabbing statistic, clearly showing the extent of social media usage. The background information provided is concise and relevant, offering enough context without overshadowing the argument. The thesis statement is clear, arguable, and offers a specific direction for the essay to take.

By comparing these two examples, you can see how a well-crafted introduction sets the tone for the entire essay, providing a clear, compelling roadmap for the argument to follow.

Final Thoughts

There you have it! Crafting an engaging introduction for an argumentative essay doesn't have to be an intimidating process. By understanding the crucial elements involved, practicing, and continuously refining your writing, you're well on your way to creating introductions that captivate your audience and set a strong precedent for your arguments.

• Start with a powerful hook.
• Provide necessary background information.
• State your thesis clearly and concisely.
• Set the stage for your main argument.
• And most importantly, revise and refine your introduction.

And there's one more thing to bear in mind: you're not alone in this journey. Writing can be challenging, but help is always within reach.

Additional Resources

To further solidify your introduction writing skills and broaden your understanding of argumentative essays, here are some additional resources that are worth diving into:

Posts from Writers Per Hour Blog

• How to Write Conclusion for an Argumentative Essay
• How Significant Are Opposing Points of View in an Argument
• Argumentative Essay Topics Ideas
• Rebuttal in Argumentative Essay

External Resources

• Purdue Online Writing Lab: Introduction to Argumentative Essays
• University of North Carolina Writing Center: Introductions
• Harvard College Writing Center: How to Write an Essay

Remember, becoming proficient in writing argumentative essays is a journey, not a destination. It takes time, practice, and patience. But don't forget - if you ever find yourself in need of help, our argumentative essay writing service is here for you. Our American essay writing service is adept at crafting essays and can support you in reaching your academic goals.

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Home — Essay Samples — Entertainment — Piano — What Does Piano Mean To You?

What Does Piano Mean to You?

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Introduction, body paragraph 1: emotional release, body paragraph 2: intellectual challenge, body paragraph 3: personal growth.

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