Before we start discussing how to write an introduction for assignment, let’s say a few words about the goals that a good introduction paragraph has to accomplish. The beginning of your paper should introduce your topic, focus your essay, and orient your readers.
When you write an academic essay, your task is to persuade your readers of a certain idea based on evidence. It’s crucial to choose the right words to start an essay because the beginning of any piece of writing is the key step in this process. It captures a reader’s interest and attention. An effective introductory paragraph informs your audience what your essay is about and motivates them to keep reading.
There are 7 basic strategies on how to start an essay effectively and produce a great impression on the audience.
Actually, there are countless ways to begin a paper and you can find lots of hook sentence examples online. For example, professional writers use a large variety of introductory strategies to impress their readers such as
How to Write an Introduction Paragraph: 7 Effective Strategies
- presenting the thesis as a revelation or a recent discovery
- stating the thesis directly and briefly
- offering a contrast between the truth and a common misconception
- revealing a secret about the writer
- describing a process that leads to your topic
- using the narrative strategy of delay
- using the historical present tense
- recounting an incident that dramatizes a topic
- describing the place that is the primary setting of a paper
- An interesting or shocking statistic is sure to grab your readers’ attention because they would want to read further to find out if it is really true.
- An appropriate dialogue can also help your audience understand the point that you are trying to convey. There is no need to make it long or identify the speakers. A dialogue can include only two or three exchanges between the speakers.
- Startling information doesn’t necessarily have to be completely new to your audience but it has to be true and verifiable. It can be just a relevant fact that clearly illustrates the idea you are willing to argue.
- A funny anecdote that illustrates your point can be an effective opener for an essay if you use it carefully. Make sure that it is short and relevant to the topic of your discussion. With an anecdote, you can engage your readers and get them involved in your topic.
- A thought-provoking quote can make your readers think and get involved in your paper. The main thing is that you should quote someone who is an expert on your topic. If you need more advice on how to start an essay with a quote, you can look for additional information on the web.
- Summary information which explains your topic in general words can lead your audience to your thesis statement. Make sure that every next sentence is more specific than the previous one until you reach your thesis statement.
- An intriguing question that you ask at the beginning of your essay can get your audience thinking about your topic. You will answer this question in the body of your essay. You can also invite your readers to join the discussion and try to answer the question.
You need to introduce your topic, frame your approach to the topic, and narrow it. You have to tell your audience what your central issue is. In the beginning, you have to show the direction of your idea. To do that, you can pose a question, state a thesis or combine both approaches. Starting from the first sentence of an essay and by the end of your essay’s beginning, your audience should have a good idea what you are writing about. Besides, they should know why they might be willing to read on.
- It gives your writing direction and focus.
- It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.
You have a strong introduction - now make sure the rest of your essay is just as good.
Everything in the introduction is relevant to the main body of the essay.
I have introduced the topic with necessary background information.
More examples of essay introductions
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale. Arguably the first science fiction novel, its plot can be read as a warning about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, and in popular culture representations of the character as a “mad scientist”, Victor Frankenstein represents the callous, arrogant ambition of modern science. However, far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to gradually transform our impression of Frankenstein, portraying him in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as.
Without a clear thesis, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.
Particularly in longer essays, it’s helpful to end the introduction by signposting what will be covered in each part. Keep it concise and give your reader a clear sense of the direction your argument will take.
For this reason, it’s often a good idea to wait until later in the writing process before you write the introduction paragraph—it can even be the very last thing you write.
This introduction example is taken from our interactive essay example on the history of Braille.
Particularly in longer essays, it’s helpful to end the introduction by signposting what will be covered in each part. Keep it concise and give your reader a clear sense of the direction your argument will take.
Without a clear thesis, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.
When you’ve finished writing the essay body and conclusion, you should return to the introduction and check that it matches the content of the essay.
Step 4: Map your essay’s structure
A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay. Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.
The “hook” is the first sentence of your essay introduction. It should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of why it’s interesting.
You have a strong introduction - now make sure the rest of your essay is just as good.
Wondering how to start an academic essay and engage your readers from the very first lines? Writing introductions is not easy and lots of people can find themselves staring at the empty screen and suffering from the writer’s block.
When you write an academic essay, your task is to persuade your readers of a certain idea based on evidence. It’s crucial to choose the right words to start an essay because the beginning of any piece of writing is the key step in this process. It captures a reader’s interest and attention. An effective introductory paragraph informs your audience what your essay is about and motivates them to keep reading.
- presenting the thesis as a revelation or a recent discovery
- stating the thesis directly and briefly
- offering a contrast between the truth and a common misconception
- revealing a secret about the writer
- describing a process that leads to your topic
- using the narrative strategy of delay
- using the historical present tense
- recounting an incident that dramatizes a topic
- describing the place that is the primary setting of a paper
You need to introduce your topic, frame your approach to the topic, and narrow it. You have to tell your audience what your central issue is. In the beginning, you have to show the direction of your idea. To do that, you can pose a question, state a thesis or combine both approaches. Starting from the first sentence of an essay and by the end of your essay’s beginning, your audience should have a good idea what you are writing about. Besides, they should know why they might be willing to read on.
How to Write an Introduction Paragraph: 7 Effective Strategies
Actually, there are countless ways to begin a paper and you can find lots of hook sentence examples online. For example, professional writers use a large variety of introductory strategies to impress their readers such as
There are 7 basic strategies on how to start an essay effectively and produce a great impression on the audience.
To orient your readers, you should provide them with the necessary information and clear explanations to help your readers understand your point and follow your discussion.
So, spend additional time to assess the strength of your thesis statement and ask yourself if it’s:
Coming to the final and most important part of the introduction - the thesis statement.
Students often get swayed while writing introductions without realizing that the main portion of the essay is yet to come.
However, if your essay is 1,000 words, don’t spend more than four or five paragraphs on the introduction.
2. Presenting your arguments
Don’t make the mistake of presenting your arguments in the introduction because not only is it misplaced but it won’t give your readers any reason to read further.
Instructors read several essays in a day. Don’t make it difficult for them by writing a tepid and uninteresting introduction that just makes them yawn.
For example, if you’re writing an argumentative essay on whether smoking needs to be banned in public places - here’s where you need to introduce it first to set the foundation for everything that’s coming next.
You have to present your arguments, justifications, evidence, and examples in the corresponding body paragraphs. Every paragraph can be devoted to a single argument or claim.