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.
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.
The 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.
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
Intro Paragraph Part 1: The Hook
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.
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.
Some say to write your intro first
So, here are five tips to keep in mind while writing an introduction for an argumentative essay and begin on a strong note.
The thesis statement is not only the most important sentence of the introduction but the entire essay. One look at it should convey the main idea of your argumentative essay.
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.
So you’ve introduced them to the topic and stated its importance. Now, before you proceed to take a stand and make your arguments, it’s important to establish context and give background information.
2. Introduce the topic
So, think of ways to write a strong and engaging introductory paragraph - one that keeps them invested in what you have to say. Don’t spend time repeating the assignment specifications or writing definitions as none of these are necessary.
Imagine if the first paragraph of your essay itself makes them yawn, how will they get to the end of it?
Keep it short, clear and to the point. Write the introduction in the end if you have to but do a good job at it.
A persuasive essay has a standard essay structure. Often, writers prefer a 5-paragraph essay format the most. In general, an essay requires a strong and attention-grabbing introduction, informative main body parts, and a short and snappy conclusion.
There are many useful tips and guides on how to accomplish an academic task without a glitch. In fact, your writing talents can be very helpful. Be ready to use your analytical abilities as well since the persuasive essay is the type of research paper. This piece of writing requires a profound analysis of a subject. You need to reveal your point of view based on strong arguments and supporting evidence. Further, you must persuade your readers to share your opinion.
Be ready to spend your time checking your completed paper a few times. You must submit an original and flawless written piece. Pay your attention to the opening paragraph since you need to gather your readers’ attention and make them read your entire essay. Assure engaging and interesting beginning of your article. This is the best way to intrigue and to motivate your audience.
Mostly, writers prefer a 5-paragraph essay paper. It means you need to provide your arguments and supporting evidence in about 5 main paragraphs. Writers put every new argument in a separate paragraph. The essay requires a standard structure that includes an introduction, main paragraphs, and a conclusion. It is important to select strong topics for persuasive essays. Choose a brief and concise subject. It will help you to prepare an excellent final paper with every argument properly explained and proven.
Proper Structure of a Good Persuasive Essay
When you need to perform a perfect persuasive essay, be ready to pay a lot of your time and effort. It can be difficult to write an essay at first. Moreover, you need to pay your attention to every aspect of your paper. In fact, you need to share your point of view where making strong points, use strong words, and convincing conclusions. An attention-grabbing introduction is necessary. It assures the fact that your readers will read the entire essay eventually.
There is no need to write down all the arguments and supporting evidence into this part. You will write them down into the main body part. State a brief and informative thesis statement. Always check your paper before submitting it to your tutor or college professor.
The opening part of an essay must be attention-grabbing and engaging. You need to announce your topic, provide background information, and a strong thesis statement. Place a central statement in the last sentence of your introductory part. Make it brief and concise. The thesis statement is one of the most significant parts of an essay and remains a central argument of an entire research paper. You need to pay enough attention to prepare a strong key statement.
As you now know how to start a good introduction and have some clear introduction examples to get you started, let’s quickly go through the key takeaways of what you should and shouldn’t do when writing your introduction.
- A Common Misconception — a good trick is to begin with is to claim that something that your readers believe in is not true
When it comes to writing an academic essay, students face four key types of papers most often. These include narrative, analytical, persuasive, and personal essays. Since the purpose of each essay type is different, it is implied that different content should appear within these introductory paragraphs. Here is a complete guide for different paper types with good essay introduction examples:
- Who?
- What?
- Where?
- When?
- How?
- Why?
- And so on.
Video Guide: How to Write an Essay Introduction
Without a doubt, your paper’s thesis is the most important part. It has to be included in the introductory clause of your paper—as your entire essay revolves around this statement. In a nutshell, a thesis statement provides your audience with a brief summary of the paper’s key claim. Your key claim is what you are going to be revealing or arguing about in the body section of your paper. As a rule, a good thesis statement is very concise (disclosed in one sentence), accurate, specific, clear, and focused. Your thesis should typically appear at the end of your introductory paragraph/section.
Your main goal is to gradually move from general information about your subject matter to something more specific (i.e. your thesis statement). To make this process more simple, think of your introduction as of an upside-down triangle. In this triangle, the attention grabber (read hook) is at the top, followed by a broader explanation of the topic, and ending with a very specific claim. Here is a simple tip for how to write an essay introduction following this “upside-down triangle” strategy:
“This is a story I want to tell you about the time I almost set myself on fire in my car while going 200 miles per hour and trying to get away from the cops.” – Fortunately, I don’t have such a story to tell, but I bet that I grabbed your attention. “How did I do that?” – you may wonder. Well, that’s what we call an effective hook. Basically, it is a catchy opening line that grabs a reader’s attention and makes them want to read further. A powerful hook and an engaging introduction are two key elements for success when writing an essay. If you may also be wondering how to write an introduction for an essay, continue to read on! This is the ultimate guide for writing a perfect essay introduction to get your readers engaged.
A hook is one of the most effective introduction starters for an essay. A hook has the purpose of catching the reader’s attention (always in a single sentence). In other words, it is an attention grabber.В
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.
Imagine if the first paragraph of your essay itself makes them yawn, how will they get to the end of it?
Students often get swayed while writing introductions without realizing that the main portion of the essay is yet to come.
Merely introducing the topic is not enough. You need to tell readers why it’s important, the purpose behind choosing and most importantly, why should they bother reading it?
1. No planning
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.
Introduction and conclusion paragraphs are not meant to be more than 10% of the essay. So, if you’re writing a five-page argumentative essay, you can devote half a page to the introduction.
However, if your essay is 1,000 words, don’t spend more than four or five paragraphs on the introduction.
- Historical
- Cultural
- Economic
- Political
- Social
- Physical or Geographical
- Philosophical