How to Write an Essay Introduction

How to Write an Essay Introduction

The introduction of an essay purposes to capture the attention of the reader. It presents to the reader the first impression of your work and therefore acts as a determinant of whether the reader should keep reading. The introduction also helps set the tone for your essay and gives a summary of the subject or topic. This makes an introduction a crucial part of your essay. In this guide, we aim to equip you with the necessary skills to write the best introduction for your essay.

Definition of an essay introduction

An introduction is the first paragraph of an essay. It provides insights and background information on your topic. An essay introduction also carries the thesis statement which presents your stand, claim, or argument on the subject matter. In consideration of this, it’s appropriate to say that an essay introduction sets the tone for your entire essay and serves to engage and captivate the attention of the reader.

Important parts of an essay introduction

The Hook
Background information
The thesis statement

Essential Parts of an essay introduction

An essay introduction is made up of three main segments which include a hook, background information, and the thesis statement. Below is a detailed discussion of these sections;

The hook: Your first sentence in an essay introduction should purpose to grab the attention of your reader. It can be a quote, fact, question, or a catchy statement related to your topic. This sentence should be brief: avoid long sentences or definitions. Here are the various types of hooks with relevant essay introduction examples;

Facts: you can provide an interesting fact or statistic concerning the topic.

For example: roughly three hundred and fifty million people worldwide suffer from depression.

Rhetorical questions: they tend to make a point rather than get an answer. They make interesting hooks as they stimulate the thoughts of the reader.

For example: Do we play a role in global warming?

Popular misconceptions: beginning with disregarding a common misconception can spark a learning interest in your readers.

For example: While people believe that mental illness affects people with low intelligence, like any other disease, mental health can affect anyone regardless of their intelligence or social class level.

Anecdote: these are quick interesting stories about a person or an incident. They make interesting hooks since they sound relatable to the reader. This grasps the attention of the reader and makes them want to read more.

For an example of an anecdote: Our class was interrupted by a heavy knock on the door, it was the police “We are here for Michael Nelson, he’s wanted for drug peddling charges” we heard them say. No one saw that coming. We all knew Michael as the most well-behaved in our class.

Quotes: using a quote relevant to the topic as a hook can support your stance on the topic.

For example: They say the only way to predict the future is by creating it.

Background information: The next step is to provide background information on your topic. This includes an extensive but brief context of your topic. This helps the reader understand your topic and gives a hint of what will be discussed in the essay. Please note that if your topic needs broad background information, you can devote a few more paragraphs to the same after the introduction section.
Thesis statement: a thesis is a brief and concise statement that clearly states your claim, main point, or argument on the topic. The thesis statement is significant in that it serves as a roadmap to the contents of your essay as everything discussed in the main body seeks to support or link to it. Your thesis statement should aim to;

Express your claim, main idea, or argument on the topic.
It directs the focus of your research.
Should set a tone and direction for your essay.

Essay introduction types

Essays have a similar introduction layout, but the content varies depending on the type of essay and the objective it serves to fulfil. Below are the various types of essay introductions;

Analytical essay introduction

The main purpose of an analytical essay is to educate the reader on a particular topic or concept by conducting proper research.
In an analytical essay, you should include at least three facts on the topic you are analyzing.
The claim should be well researched and expressed as the aim is to educate the audience on the topic.

Analytical introduction example: The biggest threat to environmental pollution is air pollution. With the emission of hazardous industrial waste, and vehicle emissions among others, the effects are evident globally. Adopting the necessary measures to preserve our environment can positively impact the planet and benefit mankind. In this essay, we will discuss the effects of practicing environmentally friendly behaviors.

Narrative essay introduction

As the name suggests, narrative papers aim to tell a story.
A narrative introduction should have a captivating hook either a scene or an anecdote.
The thesis should link to important moments that have had an impact on the story’s outcome.
The thesis acts as the main theme of the story.

Narrative introduction Example: It was the best summer she has ever had, Shela had just come back from the beach when Esther came running in her room with the news that her dearest uncle Eddy had been involved in an accident that claimed his life. Eddy had been warned severally about drunk driving.

Persuasive introduction

Persuasive essays seek to persuade readers to believe a certain view or claim on a specific topic.
Usually, facts serve as a good hook for persuasive papers since they provide a stage for further arguments.
The introduction should include three supporting facts that lead the audience to the main concept.
The thesis statement should present your stance or argument on the topic.

Persuasive introduction example: The invention of artificial intelligence has had a huge impact on content creation. Though it has enhanced the efficiency of content creation it has also had some negative effects. In this essay, we will discuss the benefits of AI in the content creation industry.

Personal introduction

Personal essays are nonfiction writing where the author reflects on personal experiences and lessons learned.
In these papers, the topic or concept is normally the hook.
The thesis statement in these essays describes the effect of certain experiences and lessons learned.

Personal introduction example: Culture connects our past with our present. Am always super proud of my culture. Join me in this essay as I tell you more about my culture and how it has evolved.

You can also read How To Write A Character Analysis Essay which is one of the essay types you will often be required to write in your coursework.

Insights on how to write an introduction for an essay

Remember the requirements of your assignment. Always refer back to the instructions.

Create a captivating hook that grasps the interest of the audience.

Use a clear tone, this helps the audience understand your perspective easily.

Explain complex terms in your introduction if any.

Provide a layout of what you intend to cover in your essay.

Present a strong thesis statement.

Ensure a smooth transition between your introduction and the body paragraphs.

Provide brief and concise background information.

Your opening paragraphs should not be too long.

Avoid the use of long and unclear sentences.

Avoid the use of phrases and sentences that are off-topic

Revise and read through your introduction to ensure clarity.

Summing up

A good essay introduction should engage and grab the attention of the reader to encourage them to read further. Are you struggling to write a compelling essay introduction? Skilled Tutorials is your number one assignment help service. Engage us today to get expert help from our professional writers. We assist with coursework in all fields including nursing where we provide nursing homework help services online.