example of a good introduction in essay

How to Write an Introduction

An introduction for an essay or research paper is the first paragraph, which explains the topic and prepares the reader for the rest of the work. Because it’s responsible for both the reader’s first impression and setting the stage for the rest of the work, the introduction paragraph is arguably the most important paragraph in the work.

Knowing how to write an introduction paragraph is a great skill, not just for writers, but for students and researchers as well. Here, we explain everything you need to know to write the best introduction, such as what to include and a step-by-step process, with some introduction paragraph examples.

Give your writing extra polish Grammarly helps you communicate confidently Write with Grammarly

What is an introduction?

Your introduction is a way of preparing your reader for your paper. As the first paragraph of your writing , it makes the first impression and sets the reader’s expectations for tone, voice, and writing style. More importantly, your introduction provides the necessary background for your reader to understand your paper’s purpose and key points.

The introduction is also a way to engage and captivate your reader. An interesting, thought-provoking, or generally entertaining introduction makes your reader excited to keep reading—and an eager reader is an attentive reader.

What to include in an introduction

Introductions generally follow the writing style of the author and the format for the type of paper—for example, opening with a joke is appropriate for some essays, but not research papers . However, no matter what your writing style is or what kind of paper you’re writing, a good introduction includes at least three parts:

How to write a hook

The hook refers to anything that grabs (or “hooks”) your reader’s attention and makes them interested. This could be a mystery, such as posing a question and only answering it at the end of your paper. Or it could be a shocking statistic, something that makes your reader rethink what they thought they knew and become curious for more information.

Hooks can be even more creative. Some papers start with an analogy or parable to present complicated topics in a way that someone with little experience can understand. Likewise, many writers opt to use personal anecdotes to show a more human side and spark an emotional connection with the reader.

When all else fails, you can use a poignant quote. If you’re having trouble putting your thoughts into words, maybe one of the great minds from history has already said it well.

You can read all about how to write a hook here, including more detailed instructions and examples.

How to add background information

Not every paper requires background knowledge, but sometimes your reader needs to catch up or understand the context before you make your original points.

If you’re writing about something factual, such as a scientific or historical paper, you may need to provide a small lesson on the basics. For example, if you’re writing about the conflict between ancient Egypt and Nubia, you might want to establish the time period and where each party was located geographically.

Just don’t give too much away in the introduction. In general, introductions should be short. If your topic requires extensive background to understand, it’s best to dedicate a few paragraphs to this after the introduction.

How to write a thesis statement

Every good introduction needs a thesis statement , a sentence that plainly and concisely explains the main topic. Thesis statements are often just a brief summary of your entire paper, including your argument or point of view for personal essays. For example, if your paper is about whether viewing violent cartoons impacts real-life violence, your thesis statement could be:

Despite the rhetoric and finger-pointing, no evidence has connected live-action role-play violence with real-world violence, but there is plenty of evidence for exoneration, as I explain here.

Learning to write a good thesis statement is an essential writing skill, both in college and the world of work, so it’s worth taking the time to learn. The rule of thumb for thesis statements is not to give everything away all at once. Thesis statements, and more broadly introductions, should be short and to the point, so save the details for the rest of the paper.

How to write an introduction paragraph in 6 steps

1 decide on the overall tone and formality of your paper.

Often what you’re writing determines the style: The guidelines for how to write an introduction for a report are different from those for how to write an English essay introduction. Even the different types of essays have their own limitations; for example, slang might be acceptable for a personal essay, but not a serious argumentative essay.

Don’t force yourself to write in a style that’s uncomfortable to you. If you’re not good at making jokes, you don’t need to. As long as your writing is interesting and your points are clear, your readers won’t mind.

2 Write your thesis statement

At the beginning of writing a paper, even before writing the research paper outline , you should know what your thesis is. If you haven’t already, now is the time to put that thesis into words by writing your thesis statement.

Thesis statements are just one sentence, but they are usually the most important sentence in your entire work. When your thesis is clearly defined, your readers will often use it as an anchor to understand the rest of the writing.

The key to writing a good thesis statement is knowing what to ignore. Your thesis statement should be an overview, not an outline. Save the details, evidence, and personal opinions for the body of the paper.

If you’re still having trouble, ask yourself how you’d explain this topic to a child. When you’re forced to use small words and simplify complex ideas, your writing comes across more clearly and is easier to understand. This technique also helps you know which details are necessary up front and which can wait until later .

3 Consider what background information your reader needs

Don’t take your own experience for granted. By this point in the writing process , you’ve probably already finished your research, which means you’re somewhat of an expert on the topic. Think back to what it was like before you learned: What did you wish you had known then?

Even if your topic is abstract, such as an ethical debate, consider including some context on the debate itself. How long has the ethical debate been happening? Was there a specific event that started it? Information like this can help set the scene so your reader doesn’t feel like they’re missing something.

4 Think of a good hook

Writing a hook can be the most difficult part of writing an introduction because it calls for some creativity. While the rest of your paper might be presenting fact after fact, the hook in your introduction often requires creating something from nothing.

Luckily, there are already plenty of tried-and-true strategies for how to start an essay . If you’re not feeling very creative, you can use a method that’s already been proven effective.

Just remember that the best hooks create an emotional connection—which emotion is up to you and your topic.

5 Write a rough draft of your introduction without pressure

It’s normal to clam up when writing a rough draft of your introduction. After all, the introduction always comes first, so it’s the first thing you write when you finally begin.

As explained in our guide to writing a rough draft , the best advice is not to pressure yourself. It’s OK to write something that’s messy—that’s what makes this draft rough . The idea here is to get words on paper that make your point. They don’t have to be the perfect words; that’s what revisions are for.

At the beginning, just worry about saying what needs to be said. Get down your hook and thesis statement, and background information if necessary, without worrying about how it sounds. You’ll be able to fix the problems later.

6 Revise your introduction after you’ve written your whole paper.

We recommend finishing the first draft of your entire paper before revising the introduction. You may make some changes in your paper’s structure when writing the first draft, and those changes should be reflected in the introduction.

After the first draft, it’s easier to focus on minutiae like word choice and sentence structure, not to mention finding spelling and grammar mistakes.

Introduction for an essay example

While other kids’ memories of circuses are happy and fun, what I recall most from my first time at a circus was feeling sorry for the animals—I can still remember the sadness in their eyes. [HOOK] Although animal rights in the circus have come a long way, their treatment of animals even under the new laws is still cruelty plain and simple. [BACKGROUND] The way circuses abuse animals needs to be abolished immediately, and we need to entirely rethink the way we use animals for entertainment. [THESIS STATEMENT]

Introduction for a research paper example

What would happen to humanity if everyone just stopped having babies? [HOOK] Although more endemic in some places than others, the global decline in birth rates has become a major issue since the end of the pandemic. [BACKGROUND] My research here shows not only that birth rates are declining all over the world, but also that unless the threats are addressed, these drastic declines will only get worse. [THESIS STATEMENT]

Introduction FAQs

An introduction is the first paragraph in an essay or research paper. It prepares the reader for what follows.

What’s the purpose of an introduction?

The goal of the introduction is to both provide the necessary context for the topic so the reader can follow along and also create an emotional connection so the reader wants to keep reading.

What should an introduction include?

An introduction should include three things: a hook to interest the reader, some background on the topic so the reader can understand it, and a thesis statement that clearly and quickly summarizes your main point.

example of a good introduction in essay

Infographics Icon

Essay Introduction Examples

Written by Scribendi

Always have a road map for an essay introduction . Having a strong essay introduction structure is critical to a successful paper. It sets the tone for the reader and interests them in your work. It also tells them what the essay is about and why they should read it at all.

It shouldn't leave the reader confused with a cliffhanger at the end. Instead, it should generate interest and guide the reader to Chapter One. Using the right parts of an essay introduction can help with this.

Check out an effective essay introduction structure below. It’s a road map for writing an essay—just like the parts of essay introductions are road maps for readers.

Essay Introduction Structure

Attention-grabbing start

Outline of argument

Thesis statement

Some academics find the beginning the most difficult part of writing an essay , so our editors have created some examples of good essay introductions to guide you. Let's take a look at the samples below to see how the essay introduction structures come together.

If you are unsure about your paper, our essay editors would love to give you some feedback on how to write an essay introduction.

[1] According to Paul Ratsmith, the tenuous but nonetheless important relationship between pumpkins and rats is little understood: "While I've always been fascinated by this natural kinship, the connection between pumpkins and rats has been the subject of few, if any, other studies" (2008). [2] Ratsmith has been studying this connection, something he coined "pumpkinology," since the early 1990s. He is most well known for documenting the three years he spent living in the wild among pumpkins and rats. [3] Though it is a topic of little recent interest, the relationship has been noted in several ancient texts and seems to have been well understood by the Romans. Critics of Ratsmith have cited poor science and questionable methodology when dismissing his results, going so far as to call pumpkinology "rubbish" (de Vil, 2009), "stupid" (Claw, 2010), and "quite possibly made up" (Igthorn, 2009). [4] Despite these criticisms, there does appear to be a strong correlation between pumpkin patches and rat populations, with Ratsmith documenting numerous pumpkin–rat colonies across North America, leading to the conclusion that pumpkins and rats are indeed "nature's best friends" (2008).

Let's break down this example of a good essay introduction structure. The beginning hooks our attention from the get-go in section one. This is because it piques our curiosity. What is this strange relationship? Why has no one studied it? Then, section two gives us context for the topic. Ratsmith is an expert in a controversial field: pumpkinology. It's the study of the connection between pumpkins and rats.

The second half of the paragraph also demonstrates why this is a good essay introduction example. Section three gives us the main argument: the topic is rarely studied because critics think Ratsmith's work is "rubbish," but the relationship between pumpkins and rats has ancient roots. Then section four gives us the thesis statement: Ratsmith's work has some merit.

The parts of an essay introduction help us chart a course through the topic. We know the paper will take us on a journey. It's all because the author practiced how to write an essay introduction.

Let’s take a look at another example of a good essay introduction.

[1] Societies have long believed that if a black cat crosses one's path, one might have bad luck—but it wasn't until King Charles I's black cat died that the ruler's bad luck began (Pemberton, 2018). [2] Indeed, for centuries, black cats have been seen as the familiars of witches—as demonic associates of Satan who disrespect authority (Yuko, 2021). Yet, they have also been associated with good luck, from England's rulers to long-distance sailors (Cole, 2021). [3] This essay shows how outdated the bad luck superstition really is. It provides a comprehensive history of the belief and then provides proof that this superstition has no place in today's modern society. [4] It argues that despite the prevailing belief that animals cause bad luck, black cats often bring what seems to be "good luck" and deserve a new reputation.

This example of a good essay introduction pulls us in right away. This is because section one provides an interesting fact about King Charles I. What is the story there, and what bad luck did he experience after his cat passed away? Then, section two provides us with general information about the current status of black cats. We understand the context of the essay and why the topic is controversial.

Section three then gives us a road map that leads us through the main arguments. Finally, section four gives us the essay's thesis: "black cats often bring what seems to be 'good luck' and deserve a new reputation."

Still feeling unsure about how to write an essay introduction? Here's another example using the essay introduction structure we discussed earlier.

[1] When the Lutz family moved into a new house in Amityville, New York, they found themselves terrorized by a vengeful ghost (Labianca, 2021). Since then, their famous tale has been debunked by scientists and the family themselves (Smith, 2005). [2] Yet ghost stories have gripped human consciousness for centuries (History, 2009). Scientists, researchers, and theorists alike have argued whether ghosts are simply figments of the imagination or real things that go bump in the night. In considering this question, many scientists have stated that ghosts may actually exist. [3] Lindley (2017) believes the answer may be in the quantum world, which "just doesn’t work the way the world around us works," but "we don’t really have the concepts to deal with it." Scientific studies on the existence of ghosts date back hundreds of years (History, 2009), and technology has undergone a vast evolution since then (Lamey, 2018). State-of-the-art tools and concepts can now reveal more about ghosts than we've ever known (Kane, 2015). [4] This essay uses these tools to provide definitive proof of the existence of ghosts in the quantum realm.

This example of a good essay introduction uses a slightly different strategy than the others. To hook the reader, it begins with an interesting anecdote related to the topic. That pulls us in, making us wonder what really happened to the Lutzs. Then, section two provides us with some background information about the topic to help us understand. Many people believe ghosts aren't real, but some scientists think they are.

This immediately flows into section three, which charts a course through the main arguments the essay will make. Finally, it ends with the essay's thesis: there is definitive proof of the existence of ghosts in the quantum realm. It all works because the author used the parts of an essay introduction well.

For attention-grabbing introductions, an understanding of essay introduction structure and how to write an essay introduction is required.

Our essay introduction examples showing the parts of an essay introduction will help you craft the beginning paragraph you need to start your writing journey on the right foot.

If you'd like more personalized attention to your essay, consider sending it for Essay Editing by Scribendi. We can help you ensure that your essay starts off strong.

Image source: Prostock-studio/Elements.envato.com

Let’s Get Your Essay Ready to Wow an Audience

Get a free sample , or get an instant quote and place your order below, about the author.

Scribendi's in-house editors work with writers from all over the globe to perfect their writing. They know that no piece of writing is complete without a professional edit, and they love to see a good piece of writing transformed into a great one. Scribendi's in-house editors are unrivaled in both experience and education, having collectively edited millions of words and obtained numerous degrees. They love consuming caffeinated beverages, reading books of various genres, and relaxing in quiet, dimly lit spaces.

"The Complete Beginner's Guide to Academic Writing"

Related Posts

Essay Writing: Traffic Signals for the Reader

Essay Writing: Traffic Signals for the Reader

How to Write a Great Thesis Statement

How to Write a Great Thesis Statement

How to Write a Persuasive Essay

How to Write a Persuasive Essay

MLA Formatting and MLA Style: An Introduction

MLA Formatting and MLA Style: An Introduction

Make Our Dictionary Yours

Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get:

By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy .

We'll see you in your inbox soon.

Strong Introduction Paragraph Examples

Woman Writing Introduction Paragraph in Notebook next to Laptop

No matter what type of writing you do, a strong introduction is important for setting the tone for your work. From blog posts to high school essays, the right introduction can pique a reader's interest and draw them in to keep reading. Use these strong introduction examples to inspire you as you write.

Strong Introductions for Essays

Whether you're writing an essay for class, answering an essay question on a test, crafting a college application, or writing any other type of essay-style work, your introduction paragraph is one of the most important you'll write.

Use a Surprising Fact

You can capture the reader's attention with a surprising fact or statement. Then, state your thesis clearly and succinctly, as in this example:

With recent studies showing that, on average, dog owners live up to 24% longer than those without canine companions, there's no doubt that a dog can have a range of physical and mental health benefits for its owner. These include a more active lifestyle, a social network of other pet owners, companionship, and a sense of purpose.

Pose a Question

Another way to engage your reader in your essay introduction is to ask a rhetorical question. This is a good way to start a persuasive essay or even a newspaper editorial . This example shows how you must carefully choose this question to support your thesis:

Global climate change is a crisis that affects everyone, rich and poor, young and old. From rising ocean levels to increased temperature extremes, the world is changing for everyone. How will your life be different in the coming years?

Start With an Anecdote

A short anecdote is a good way to start a personal essay , especially if it fits with your overall theme. Consider this example:

When I got home from school that day, my grandmother greeted me with a plate of cookies and a worried expression. I hadn't received the scholarship I needed to go to ballet camp, and we'd need to find another way to earn the money. That's when I started my business giving dance lessons to preschoolers, and it's taught me a lot about how to solve problems on my own.

Great Report Introductions

Reports aren't always the most fascinating kind of writing to read, so a really great introduction can make a huge difference in your reader engagement. You need to be clear about what you're discussing and offer any background information your reader might need.

Set the Stage

Give the reader important background information with an introduction like this:

With our sales up 25% and more than 2,500 positive reviews online, it's safe to say our product is embraced by consumers. We're using this information to project growth for the coming year.

State Your Point Clearly

Reports are about facts, but readers may not want to wade through all the data to get to your point. A strong introduction can give them a preview of what they'll find inside:

The water quality in Smith County has improved from a century ago, but there are still a number of contaminants of concern. Storm water run-off has been the major contributor to water pollution in the area.

Strong News and Feature Article Introductions

When you introduce an article, either online or in a more traditional newspaper , it's essential to have a "hook." Writing a hook takes a little extra thought, but it will make the reader continue past your introduction and into the body of your article.

Start With Something Shocking

People naturally want to read things that are shocking or surprising. Offer up a little drama for a strong introduction paragraph:

When Charles Jones went into the gas station Tuesday night, he did not expect to be caught in the middle of an armed robbery. However, that is exactly what happened.

Use a Statistic

You can start with a good statistic and hint at more information to come. People will read on because they want to know the rest of the story.

While for 60% of people, milk is the perfect beverage to go with a cookie, that's not true for everyone. A new study shows that up to 40% of people prefer something different with their bedtime snack.

Creative Introductions for Blog Posts

When you write a blog post, you need to engage your reader right away with a creative introduction. In the world of online reading, it's easy to navigate away to something else. The introduction is your chance to keep your reader on your blog.

Get Personal

Depending on the type of blog post you're writing, it can make sense to offer some personal perspective on your topic right away. Your reader is here for your voice, so you need to use it. This example will show you one way to do that:

My sister thought I was crazy to try to remake some thrift store jeans into an awesome maxi skirt. She told me she'd personally model the skirt for the blog if it worked. Well, when you see how fabulous she looks, you'll need to make one too.

You can also engage your audience right away with a humorous blog post introduction. Try a funny personal anecdote:

I'm not going to lie. The first time I made an art doll out of clay, it was a total nightmare. I literally had bad dreams about that thing for a week. But I'll save you the terror and show you how to create a not-so-scary doll with these techniques.

Great Short Story Introductions

If you're writing a short story, you need a creative introduction to get your reader engaged right away. In a novel, you have the whole first chapter , but because the length of your short story is limited, your introduction needs to suck your reader in within just a few sentences.

Bring in Vivid Imagery

Make your reader experience the world of your story by adding vivid sensory details. Using imagery that involves the senses lets your reader feel like he or she is in the story.

Even before I opened my eyes, the scent of lilacs told me I had a visitor. Here in the nursing home, everything has the same smell - a mixture of cafeteria food, cleaning products, and old people odors. A sudden scent of lilacs meant someone was here to see me.

Start in the Middle of Things

When you're writing fiction, you can start your story at the last possible moment to get your reader engaged. This is called "in medias res" (in the middle of things). Because the action is already happening, your reader won't be able to stop reading. Try something like this creative introduction example:

I hit the water with a slap that knocked the wind out of me. For a moment, I could hear my sister screaming from the deck of the ship, but then everything went quiet as my ears went under water.

Engage the Reader With a Strong Introduction

No matter what type of writing you're doing, a strong introduction is one way to get your audience to keep reading. After you've captured their attention, get more tips to engage the reader in the rest of your piece. An engaged reader means your writing is effective and powerful.

Examples of Great Introductory Paragraphs

Grab your reader's attention with the first words.

An introductory paragraph, as the opening of a conventional essay , composition , or report , is designed to grab people's attention. It informs readers about the topic and why they should care about it but also adds enough intrigue to get them to continue to read. In short, the opening paragraph is your chance to make a great first impression.

Writing a Good Introductory Paragraph

The primary purpose of an introductory paragraph is to pique the interest of your reader and identify the topic and purpose of the essay. It often ends with a thesis statement .

You can engage your readers right from the start through a number of tried-and-true ways. Posing a question, defining the key term, giving a brief anecdote , using a playful joke or emotional appeal, or pulling out an interesting fact are just a few approaches you can take. Use imagery, details, and sensory information to connect with the reader if you can. The key is to add intrigue along with just enough information so your readers want to find out more.

One way to do this is to come up with a brilliant opening line . Even the most mundane topics have aspects interesting enough to write about; otherwise, you wouldn't be writing about them, right?

When you begin writing a new piece, think about what your readers want or need to know. Use your knowledge of the topic to craft an opening line that will satisfy that need. You don't want to fall into the trap of what writers call "chasers" that bore your readers (such as "The dictionary defines...."). The introduction should make sense and hook the reader right from the start .

Make your introductory paragraph brief. Typically, just three or four sentences are enough to set the stage for both long and short essays. You can go into supporting information in the body of your essay, so don't tell the audience everything all at once.

Should You Write the Intro First?

You can always adjust your introductory paragraph later. Sometimes you just have to start writing. You can start at the beginning or dive right into the heart of your essay.

Your first draft may not have the best opening, but as you continue to write, new ideas will come to you, and your thoughts will develop a clearer focus. Take note of these and, as you work through revisions , refine and edit your opening.

If you're struggling with the opening, follow the lead of other writers and skip it for the moment. Many writers begin with the body and conclusion and come back to the introduction later. It's a useful, time-efficient approach if you find yourself stuck in those first few words.

Start where it's easiest to start. You can always go back to the beginning or rearrange later, especially if you have an outline completed or general framework informally mapped out. If you don't have an outline, even just starting to sketch one can help organize your thoughts and "prime the pump" as it were.

Successful Introductory Paragraphs

You can read all the advice you want about writing a compelling opening, but it's often easier to learn by example. Take a look at how some writers approached their essays and analyze why they work so well.

"As a lifelong crabber (that is, one who catches crabs, not a chronic complainer), I can tell you that anyone who has patience and a great love for the river is qualified to join the ranks of crabbers. However, if you want your first crabbing experience to be a successful one, you must come prepared."

– (Mary Zeigler, "How to Catch River Crabs" )

What did Zeigler do in her introduction? First, she wrote in a little joke, but it serves a dual purpose. Not only does it set the stage for her slightly more humorous approach to crabbing, but it also clarifies what type of "crabber" she's writing about. This is important if your subject has more than one meaning.

The other thing that makes this a successful introduction is the fact that Zeigler leaves us wondering. What do we have to be prepared for? Will the crabs jump up and latch onto you? Is it a messy job? What tools and gear do I need? She leaves us with questions, and that draws us in because now we want answers.

"Working part-time as a cashier at the Piggly Wiggly has given me a great opportunity to observe human behavior. Sometimes I think of the shoppers as white rats in a lab experiment, and the aisles as a maze designed by a psychologist. Most of the rats—customers, I mean—follow a routine pattern, strolling up and down the aisles, checking through my chute, and then escaping through the exit hatch. But not everyone is so dependable. My research has revealed three distinct types of abnormal customer: the amnesiac, the super shopper, and the dawdler."

– "Shopping at the Pig"

This revised classification essay begins by painting a picture of an ordinary scenario: the grocery store. But when used as an opportunity to observe human nature, as this writer does, it turns from ordinary to fascinating.

Who is the amnesiac? Would I be classified as the dawdler by this cashier? The descriptive language and the analogy to rats in a maze add to the intrigue, and readers are left wanting more. For this reason, even though it's lengthy, this is an effective opening.

"In March 2006, I found myself, at 38, divorced, no kids, no home, and alone in a tiny rowing boat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. I hadn’t eaten a hot meal in two months. I’d had no human contact for weeks because my satellite phone had stopped working. All four of my oars were broken, patched up with duct tape and splints. I had tendinitis in my shoulders and saltwater sores on my backside.

"I couldn’t have been happier...."

– Roz Savage, " My Transoceanic Midlife Crisis ." Newsweek , March 20, 2011

Here is an example of reversing expectations. The introductory paragraph is filled with doom and gloom. We feel sorry for the writer but are left wondering whether the article will be a classic sob story. It is in the second paragraph where we find out that it's quite the opposite.

Those first few words of the second paragraph—which we cannot help but skim—surprise us and thus draw us in. How can the narrator be happy after all that sorrow? This reversal compels us to find out what happened.

Most people have had streaks where nothing seems to go right. Yet, it is the possibility of a turn of fortunes that compels us to keep going. This writer appealed to our emotions and a sense of shared experience to craft an effective read.

example of a good introduction in essay

By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Argumentative Essay – Outline, Form, and Examples

What is an argumentative essay?

An argumentative essay requires the writer to investigate a specific topic by collecting and evaluating evidence to establish a position on the subject matter.

example of a good introduction in essay

When preparing to compose a good argumentative essay, utilize the following steps:

Step 1: Select a topic.

Step 2: Identify a position.

Step 3: Locate appropriate resources.

Step 4: Identify evidence supporting the position. ( NOTE: If there is little evidence in support of the claim, consider re-examining the main argument.)

Steps to write an argumentative essay

When gathering evidence, use credible sources . To determine the credibility of the source, consider authority, currency, accuracy, and objectivity:

Who is the author ? Are they an expert in the field? Has a reputable publisher published the work?

How current is the information in the source? Does the currency of the source matter? Does the age of the source impact the content? Is there newer information that disproves the source’s information?

Can other sources verify the accuracy of the information? Does the information contradict that found in other commonly accepted sources?

Is there any evidence of bias, or is the source objective ? Is the research sponsored by an organization that may skew the information?

The following are typically recognized as providing appropriate, credible research material:

Peer-reviewed journals/research papers

Government agencies

Professional organizations

Library databases

Reference books

Credible sources

Writers should avoid using the following sources:

Social media posts

Out-of-date materials

Step 5: Utilize the research to determine a thesis statement that identifies the topic, position, and support(s).

Step 6: Use the evidence to construct an outline, detailing the main supports and relevant evidence.

Steps to write an argumentative essay

Argumentative essay outline

After gathering all of the necessary research, the next step in composing an argumentative essay focuses on organizing the information through the use of an outline:

Attention Grabber/Hook

Background Information: Include any background information pertinent to the topic that the reader needs to know to understand the argument.

Thesis: State the position in connection to the main topic and identify the supports that will help prove the argument.

Identify evidence in support of the claim in the topic sentence

Explain how the evidence supports the argument

Evidence 3 (Continue as needed)

Support 2 (Continue as needed)

Review main supports

Concluding statement

Invite the audience to take a specific action.

Identify the overall importance of the topic and position.

Argumentative essay outline

How to write an argumentative essay

Regardless of the writer’s topic or point of view, an argumentative essay should include an introductory paragraph, body paragraphs, a conclusion, and works cited.

Background information

Body Paragraphs

Analysis of evidence

Rephrased thesis

Review of main ideas

Components of an argumentative essay

Argumentative essay introduction

The introduction sets the tone for the entire paper and introduces the argument. In general, the first paragraph(s) should attract the reader’s attention, provide relevant context, and conclude with a thesis statement.

To attract the reader's attention , start with an introductory device. There are several attention-grabbing techniques, the most common of which consist of the following:

The writer can emphasize the topic’s importance by explaining the current interest in the topic or indicating that the subject is influential.

Pertinent statistics give the paper an air of authority.

There are many reasons for a stimulating statement to surprise a reader. Sometimes it is joyful; sometimes it is shocking; sometimes it is surprising because of who said it.

An interesting incident or anecdote can act as a teaser to lure the reader into the remainder of the essay. Be sure that the device is appropriate for the subject and focus of what follows.

Provide the reader with relevant context and background information necessary to understand the topic.

Conclude with a thesis statement that identifies the overall purpose of the essay (topic and position). Writers can also include their support directly in the thesis, which outlines the structure of the essay for the reader.

Avoid the following when writing the introduction to argumentative writing:

Starting with dictionary definitions is too overdone and unappealing.

Do not make an announcement of the topic like “In this paper I will…” or “The purpose of this essay is to….”

Evidence supporting or developing the thesis should be in the body paragraphs, not the introduction.

Beginning the essay with general or absolute statements such as “throughout history...” or “as human beings we always...” or similar statements suggest the writer knows all of history or that all people behave or think in the same way.

Argumentative essay thesis

The thesis statement is the single, specific claim the writer sets out to prove and is typically positioned as the last sentence of the introduction . It is the controlling idea of the entire argument that identifies the topic, position, and reasoning.

When constructing a thesis for an argumentative paper, make sure it contains a side of the argument, not simply a topic. An argumentative thesis identifies the writer’s position on a given topic. If a position cannot be taken, then it is not argumentative thesis:

Topic: Capital punishment is practiced in many states.

Thesis: Capital punishment should be illegal.

While not always required, the thesis statement can include the supports the writer will use to prove the main claim. Therefore, a thesis statement can be structured as follows:

TOPIC + POSITION (+ SUPPORTS)

No Supports: College athletes (TOPIC) should be financially compensated (POSITION).

Supports: College athletes (TOPIC) should be financially compensated (POSITION) because they sacrifice their minds and bodies (SUPPORT 1), cannot hold

Argumentative essay body paragraphs

Body paragraphs can be of varying lengths, but they must present a coherent argument unified under a single topic. They are rarely ever longer than one page, double-spaced; usually they are much shorter.

Lengthy paragraphs indicate a lack of structure. Identify the main ideas of a lengthy paragraph to determine if they make more sense as separate topics in separate paragraphs.

Shorter paragraphs usually indicate a lack of substance; there is not enough evidence or analysis to prove the argument. Develop the ideas more or integrate the information into another paragraph.

The structure of an argumentative paragraph should include a topic sentence, evidence, and a transition.

The topic sentence is the thesis of the paragraph that identifies the arguable point in support of the main argument. The reader should know exactly what the writer is trying to prove within the paragraph by reading the first sentence.

The supporting evidence and analysis provide information to support the claim. There should be a balance between the evidence (facts, quotations, summary of events/plot, etc.) and analysis (interpretation of evidence). If the paragraph is evidence-heavy, there is not much of an argument; if it is analysis-heavy, there is not enough evidence in support of the claim.

The transition can be at the beginning or the end of a paragraph. However, it is much easier to combine the transition with the concluding observation to help the paragraphs flow into one another. Transitions in academic writing should tell the reader where you were, where you are going, and relate to the thesis.

Some essays may benefit from the inclusion of rebuttals to potential counterarguments of the writer’s position.

Argumentative essay conclusion

The conclusion should make readers glad they read the paper. It can suggest broader implications that will not only interest readers but also enrich their understanding in some way. There are three aspects to follow when constructing the conclusion: rephrase the thesis, synthesize information, and call the reader to action.

Rephrased the thesis in the first sentence of the conclusion. It must be in different words; do not simply write it verbatim.

Synthesize the argument by showing how the paper's main points support the argument.

Propose a course of action or a solution to an issue. This can redirect the reader's thought process to apply the ideas to their life or to see the broader implications of the topic.

Avoid the following when constructing the conclusion:

Beginning with an unnecessary, overused phrase such as "in conclusion," "in summary," or "in closing;" although these phrases can work in speeches, they come across as trite in writing

Introducing a new idea or subtopic in the conclusion

Making sentimental, emotional appeals that are out of character with the rest of the paper

Including evidence (quotations, statistics, etc.) that should be in the body of the paper

Argumentative essay examples

Examples of argumentative essays vary depending upon the type:

Academic essays differ based upon the topic and position. These essays follow a more traditional structure and are typically assigned in high school or college. Examples of academic argumentative essay topics include the following:

Advantages or disadvantages of social media

Benefit or detriment of homework

Capital punishment

School uniforms

Universal healthcare

Violence in video games

Argumentative literary essays are typically more informal and do not follow the same structure as an academic essay. The following are popular examples of argumentative literary essays:

“Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Death of the Moth” by Virginia Woolf

“Shooting an Elephant” by George Orwell

“Thoughts for the Times on War and Death” by Sigmund Freud

“Does the Truth Matter? Science, Pseudoscience, and Civilization” by Carl Sagan

“Self-Reliance” by Ralph Waldo Emerson

I’m a writer blog

Guidelines for writing Poems, Stories and Tales

Writing FAQ

Essay writing introduction paragraph.

Asked by: Tasha Landry

How do you write a good introduction paragraph for an essay.

The introductory paragraph of any paper, long or short, should start with a sentence that piques the interest of your readers . In a typical essay, that first sentence leads into two or three more sentences that provide details about your subject or your process. All of these sentences build up to your thesis statement.

What is a good example of an introduction paragraph?

How do you start a good introduction.

It should begin by providing your reader a general understanding of the overall topic . The middle of the introduction should narrow down the topic so your reader understands the relevance of the topic and what you plan to accomplish in your paper.

What is introductory paragraph in essay?

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.

How do you start off an essay example?

Intriguing ways to start an essay

What is a good introduction?

A good introduction should identify your topic, provide essential context, and indicate your particular focus in the essay . It also needs to engage your readers’ interest.

What is a good hook sentence?

A strong statement hook is a sentence that makes an assertive claim about your topic . It connects to the thesis statement and shows the importance of your essay or paper. A strong statement is a great technique because it doesn’t matter if your reader agrees or disagrees with your statement.

How do you start an introduction to a paper?

What are the words to start an essay?

Example: Using Transition Words to Indicate Sequence/Order of Events

How do I start my first body paragraph?

Though a body paragraph should always begin with a topic sentence and end with proof of your objective — sometimes with a direct connection to the essay’s thesis — you don’t need to include the transition in that paragraph; instead, you may insert it right before the topic sentence of the next paragraph.

How do you write a good essay?

Six top tips for writing a great essay

What are the 5 steps to writing an essay?

How do I start just writing?

8 Great Ways to Start the Writing Process

What is an essay format?

An essay format is a series of guidelines that determine how your paper should be arranged . It covers the title page, basic essay structure, essay outline, conclusion, citations, etc.

How many paragraphs is an essay?

The basic format for an essay is known as the five paragraph essay – but an essay may have as many paragraphs as needed. A five paragraph essay contains five paragraphs. However, the essay itself consists of three sections: an introduction, a body and a conclusion.

What is essay and example?

An essay is a focused piece of writing designed to inform or persuade . There are many different types of essay, but they are often defined in four categories: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive essays.

What is the first component of an essay introduction?

Opening Statement or Question – Grabs the Attention

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

Related posts

ESSAY SAUCE

FOR STUDENTS : ALL THE INGREDIENTS OF A GOOD ESSAY

Essay: Essay 2016 05 03 000B1w

Essay details and download:.

Text preview of this essay:

This page of the essay has 1,760 words. Download the full version above.

Introduction

This chapter will provide the reader with a close view of the research area. Section 1.1 describes general guidelines for the thesis including overview about data mining and leukemia diseases, Then Section 1.2 the challenges of cancer classification research, followed by Section 1.3 that explains research problem, while Section 1.4 presents objectives of research, Whereas Section 1.5 describes thesis organization.

Data mining plays an important role for predicting diseases. Recent advances in microarray technology offer the ability to measure expression levels of thousands of genes simultaneously. Analysis of such data helps us identifying different clinical outcomes that are caused by expression of a few predictive genes. The feature extraction and classification are carried out with combination of the high accuracy of ensemble based algorithms, and comprehensibility of a single decision tree. These allow deriving exact rules by describing gene expression differences among significantly expressed genes in leukemia. It is evident from our results that it is possible to achieve better accuracy in classifying leukemia without sacrificing the level of comprehensibility. Some of the most important and popular data mining techniques are association rules, classification, clustering, prediction and sequential patterns [1].

Data mining techniques can be classified into both unsupervised and supervised learning techniques. Unsupervised learning technique is not guided by variable and does not create a hypothesis before analysis. Based on the results, a model will be built. A common unsupervised technique is clustering [2]. Supervised learning technique requires the building of a model that is used in prior performing analysis. Supervised learning techniques that are used in both medical and clinical research are Classification, Statistical regression and Association rules [3].

Leukemia is a group of cancers that usually begins in the marrow and results in high numbers of abnormal white blood cells. These white blood cells are not fully developed and are called blasts or leukemia cells. Symptoms may include bleeding and bruising problems, feeling very tired, and an increased risk of infections. These symptoms occur due to a lack of normal blood cells. Diagnosis is typically by blood tests or bone marrow biopsy. Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) are categorized as leukemia diseases [4]. In general, leukemia is grouped by how fast it gets worse and what kind of white blood cells it affects [5]. Leukemia disease it may be acute or chronic. Acute leukemia gets worse very fast and may make you feel sick right away. Chronic leukemia gets worse slowly and may not cause symptoms for years. Also leukemia disease it may be lymphocytic or myeloid. Lymphocytic (or lymphoblastic) leukemia affects white blood cells called lymphocytes. Myeloid leukemia affects the other type of cells that normally become granulocytes, red blood cells, or platelets.

Microarray is one such technology which enables the researchers to investigate and address issues which were once thought to be non traceable by facilitating the simultaneous measurement of the expression levels of thousands of genes [6]. Microarray datasets are commonly very large, and analytical precision is influenced by a number of variables. So it is extremely useful to reduce the dataset to those genes that are best distinguished between the two cases or classes (e.g. normal vs. diseased). There are two common methods for in depth microarray data analysis such as clustering and classification [7]. Clustering is one of the unsupervised approaches to classify data into groups of genes or samples with similar patterns that are characteristic to the group. Classification is supervised learning and also known as class prediction or discriminate analysis. Generally, classification is a process of learning-from-examples. A DNA microarray technique allows to simultaneously observing the expression levels of thousands of genes during significant biological processes and across collections of related samples [8].

In the present study, we will focus on the usage of classification techniques in the field of medical bioinformatics. Classification is the most commonly applied data mining technique, and employs a set of pre classified examples to develop a model that can classify the population of records at large. The major goal of the classification technique is to predict the target class accurately for each case in the data. There are several classification mechanisms that are used in analyzing medical data. These include Decision trees, K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Bayesian network, neural networks, fuzzy logic and support vector machines.

In order to carry out experimentations and implementations Weka was used as the data mining tool. Weka (Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis) is a data mining tool written in java developed at Waikato. WEKA is a very good data mining tool for the users to classify the accuracy on the basis of datasets by applying different algorithmic approaches and compared in the field of bioinformatics. This research has used these data mining techniques to predict the Leukemia disease through classification of different algorithms accuracy.

The rest of this chapter is organized as follows: Section 1.2 presents the cancer classification research challenges. The research problem is described in Section 1.3. Research objectives are briefly clarified in Section 1.4. Thesis structure and outlines are organized in Section 1.5.

1.2 Cancer classification research challenges

Gene classification as domain of research poses a new challenges due to its unique problem nature. First, challenge comes from the unique nature of the available gene expression dataset; where most of these datasets has sample size below 200, vs. thousands to hundred thousands of genes presented in each tuples. Second, only a few numbers of these (genes) presents relevant attributes to the investigated disease. Third, comes from the presence of noise (biological and technical) inherent in the dataset. Fourth challenge arises from the application area, for instance accuracy is an important criterion in cancer classification task, but it is not the only goal, in cancer domain we want to achieve, biological relevancy as well as classification accuracy [9].

1.3 Problem statement

Leukemia disease is a type of cancer caused by abnormal increase of the white blood cells. Yearly thousands of people die of leukemia throughout the world due to the nature of Leukemia cells that become out of control and they spread randomly, and the most effective way to reduce deaths from this disease is the early discovering, and this requires an accurate diagnosis, while doctors don't have an effective technique to predict the disease at an early stage.

A major problem in bioinformatics analysis or medical science is in attaining the correct diagnosis of leukemia disease infection. For the ultimate diagnosis, normally, many tests generally involve the clustering or classification of large scale data. All of these test procedures are said to be necessary in order to reach the ultimate diagnosis. However, on the other hand, too many tests could complicate the main diagnosis process and lead to the difficulty in obtaining the end results, particularly in the case where many tests are performed. Also, there is no specific classification technique or prediction tool to predict Leukemia diseases. This kind of difficulty could be resolved with the aid of machine learning which could be used directly to obtain the end result with the aid of several classification algorithms which perform the role as classifiers.

Another problem in classification is the accuracy of the classifier. The accuracy of the classifier depends not only with the classification algorithm but also on the feature selection method. Selection of irrelevant and inappropriate features may lead to increase the complexity. The feature selection method plays the major role which increases the efficiency of classification. Though different kinds of feature selection methods are available, for selecting an appropriate features, the best algorithm should be chosen to maximize the accuracy of the classification and also the feature selection algorithm should consumes less space and time for its better performance.

Data mining methods used for diagnosing diseases based on previous data and information have been improving over the years. The data mining methods used currently particularly for disease diagnosis use various classification techniques which includes decision tree and rule classifier. Data mining techniques can not only draw conclusions accurately but also aid in visualizing patterns within the dataset itself. And there is no single classifier superior over the rest, for instance the classification accuracy is depend on the classification method, gene selection method, and datasets.

1.4 Research objectives

Considering the social and medical impact of the control of leukemia disease, it is proposed to carry out a data mining analysis of the available genetically data on leukemia using advanced data mining tools. Apart from a detailed study about the leukemia disease, it is intended to collect vast sample of genetic data of the people with and without leukemia disease. Advanced data mining tools and algorithms will be developed to analyze the collected data, intending to identify patterns to discover of the leukemia disease. Also it is proposed to suggest best measures, if any.

This research uses data mining techniques for analysis and evaluation of classification algorithms about leukemia disease datasets. Through open source WEKA data mining techniques, we can generate predictive model to classification of leukemia disease, evaluate accuracies, and performance of several techniques.

In order to reach the main goal of the research the following tasks are to be fulfilled:

ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Thorough literature survey in order to determine which algorithms are used in medicine (especially for the leukemia disease). This is also to see what performance metrics are used to evaluate the algorithms.

ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Analyses the performance of various classification function techniques in data mining for predicting the leukemia from the blood disease datasets.

ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Overview of the methods and their implementation in the analytical environment.

ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Investigate the performance of different classification methods using WEKA for leukemia disease.

ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Identification and selection of the most common data mining algorithms implemented in the leukemia disease.

ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Comparison of different data mining classification algorithms on Leukemia datasets.

ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ To extract useful classified accuracy for prediction of Leukemia diseases.

ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Generation of data mining models to classify the leukemia disease.

ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Evaluation of the performance of the models.

ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Identify the best performance algorithm for prediction of diseases.

ï¿½ï¿½ï¿½ Finding the right algorithm for classification of data that works better on diverse datasets.

1.5 Thesis organization

While this chapter presents an introduction to the area of research of this masterï¿½ï¿½ï¿½s thesis is organized in the following manner. Then Chapter 2 presents scientific literature review and background on this topic. Chapter 3 discusses data mining concepts and techniques. Chapter 4 the testing datasets are described. It presents the sources of the data and describes the methods of evaluation of the effectiveness and the accuracy of the data mining methods. The measures taken into consideration are also presented. Chapter 5 describes Results, analysis and general findings. Finally, chapter 6 the thesis outlines, conclusion and future work are presented.

...(download the rest of the essay above)

About this essay:

If you use part of this page in your own work, you need to provide a citation, as follows:

Essay Sauce, Essay 2016 05 03 000B1w . Available from:<https://www.essaysauce.com/sample-essays/essay-2016-05-03-000b1w/> [Accessed 04-03-23].

These Sample essays have been submitted to us by students in order to help you with your studies.

* This essay may have been previously published on Essay.uk.com at an earlier date.

Essay Categories:

Privacy Overview

The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Introductions

What this handout is about.

This handout will explain the functions of introductions, offer strategies for creating effective introductions, and provide some examples of less effective introductions to avoid.

The role of introductions

Introductions and conclusions can be the most difficult parts of papers to write. Usually when you sit down to respond to an assignment, you have at least some sense of what you want to say in the body of your paper. You might have chosen a few examples you want to use or have an idea that will help you answer the main question of your assignment; these sections, therefore, may not be as hard to write. And it’s fine to write them first! But in your final draft, these middle parts of the paper can’t just come out of thin air; they need to be introduced and concluded in a way that makes sense to your reader.

Your introduction and conclusion act as bridges that transport your readers from their own lives into the “place” of your analysis. If your readers pick up your paper about education in the autobiography of Frederick Douglass, for example, they need a transition to help them leave behind the world of Chapel Hill, television, e-mail, and The Daily Tar Heel and to help them temporarily enter the world of nineteenth-century American slavery. By providing an introduction that helps your readers make a transition between their own world and the issues you will be writing about, you give your readers the tools they need to get into your topic and care about what you are saying. Similarly, once you’ve hooked your readers with the introduction and offered evidence to prove your thesis, your conclusion can provide a bridge to help your readers make the transition back to their daily lives. (See our handout on conclusions .)

Note that what constitutes a good introduction may vary widely based on the kind of paper you are writing and the academic discipline in which you are writing it. If you are uncertain what kind of introduction is expected, ask your instructor.

Why bother writing a good introduction?

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. The opening paragraph of your paper will provide your readers with their initial impressions of your argument, your writing style, and the overall quality of your work. A vague, disorganized, error-filled, off-the-wall, or boring introduction will probably create a negative impression. On the other hand, a concise, engaging, and well-written introduction will start your readers off thinking highly of you, your analytical skills, your writing, and your paper.

Your introduction is an important road map for the rest of your paper. Your introduction conveys a lot of information to your readers. You can let them know what your topic is, why it is important, and how you plan to proceed with your discussion. In many academic disciplines, your introduction should contain a thesis that will assert your main argument. Your introduction should also give the reader a sense of the kinds of information you will use to make that argument and the general organization of the paragraphs and pages that will follow. After reading your introduction, your readers should not have any major surprises in store when they read the main body of your paper.

Ideally, your introduction will make your readers want to read your paper. The introduction should capture your readers’ interest, making them want to read the rest of your paper. Opening with a compelling story, an interesting question, or a vivid example can get your readers to see why your topic matters and serve as an invitation for them to join you for an engaging intellectual conversation (remember, though, that these strategies may not be suitable for all papers and disciplines).

Strategies for writing an effective introduction

Start by thinking about the question (or questions) you are trying to answer. Your entire essay will be a response to this question, and your introduction is the first step toward that end. Your direct answer to the assigned question will be your thesis, and your thesis will likely be included in your introduction, so it is a good idea to use the question as a jumping off point. Imagine that you are assigned the following question:

Drawing on the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass , discuss the relationship between education and slavery in 19th-century America. Consider the following: How did white control of education reinforce slavery? How did Douglass and other enslaved African Americans view education while they endured slavery? And what role did education play in the acquisition of freedom? Most importantly, consider the degree to which education was or was not a major force for social change with regard to slavery.

You will probably refer back to your assignment extensively as you prepare your complete essay, and the prompt itself can also give you some clues about how to approach the introduction. Notice that it starts with a broad statement and then narrows to focus on specific questions from the book. One strategy might be to use a similar model in your own introduction—start off with a big picture sentence or two and then focus in on the details of your argument about Douglass. Of course, a different approach could also be very successful, but looking at the way the professor set up the question can sometimes give you some ideas for how you might answer it. (See our handout on understanding assignments for additional information on the hidden clues in assignments.)

Decide how general or broad your opening should be. Keep in mind that even a “big picture” opening needs to be clearly related to your topic; an opening sentence that said “Human beings, more than any other creatures on earth, are capable of learning” would be too broad for our sample assignment about slavery and education. If you have ever used Google Maps or similar programs, that experience can provide a helpful way of thinking about how broad your opening should be. Imagine that you’re researching Chapel Hill. If what you want to find out is whether Chapel Hill is at roughly the same latitude as Rome, it might make sense to hit that little “minus” sign on the online map until it has zoomed all the way out and you can see the whole globe. If you’re trying to figure out how to get from Chapel Hill to Wrightsville Beach, it might make more sense to zoom in to the level where you can see most of North Carolina (but not the rest of the world, or even the rest of the United States). And if you are looking for the intersection of Ridge Road and Manning Drive so that you can find the Writing Center’s main office, you may need to zoom all the way in. The question you are asking determines how “broad” your view should be. In the sample assignment above, the questions are probably at the “state” or “city” level of generality. When writing, you need to place your ideas in context—but that context doesn’t generally have to be as big as the whole galaxy!

Try writing your introduction last. You may think that you have to write your introduction first, but that isn’t necessarily true, and it isn’t always the most effective way to craft a good introduction. You may find that you don’t know precisely what you are going to argue at the beginning of the writing process. It is perfectly fine to start out thinking that you want to argue a particular point but wind up arguing something slightly or even dramatically different by the time you’ve written most of the paper. The writing process can be an important way to organize your ideas, think through complicated issues, refine your thoughts, and develop a sophisticated argument. However, an introduction written at the beginning of that discovery process will not necessarily reflect what you wind up with at the end. You will need to revise your paper to make sure that the introduction, all of the evidence, and the conclusion reflect the argument you intend. Sometimes it’s easiest to just write up all of your evidence first and then write the introduction last—that way you can be sure that the introduction will match the body of the paper.

Don’t be afraid to write a tentative introduction first and then change it later. Some people find that they need to write some kind of introduction in order to get the writing process started. That’s fine, but if you are one of those people, be sure to return to your initial introduction later and rewrite if necessary.

Open with something that will draw readers in. Consider these options (remembering that they may not be suitable for all kinds of papers):

Pay special attention to your first sentence. Start off on the right foot with your readers by making sure that the first sentence actually says something useful and that it does so in an interesting and polished way.

How to evaluate your introduction draft

Ask a friend to read your introduction and then tell you what he or she expects the paper will discuss, what kinds of evidence the paper will use, and what the tone of the paper will be. If your friend is able to predict the rest of your paper accurately, you probably have a good introduction.

Five kinds of less effective introductions

1. The placeholder introduction. When you don’t have much to say on a given topic, it is easy to create this kind of introduction. Essentially, this kind of weaker introduction contains several sentences that are vague and don’t really say much. They exist just to take up the “introduction space” in your paper. If you had something more effective to say, you would probably say it, but in the meantime this paragraph is just a place holder.

Example: Slavery was one of the greatest tragedies in American history. There were many different aspects of slavery. Each created different kinds of problems for enslaved people.

2. The restated question introduction. Restating the question can sometimes be an effective strategy, but it can be easy to stop at JUST restating the question instead of offering a more specific, interesting introduction to your paper. The professor or teaching assistant wrote your question and will be reading many essays in response to it—he or she does not need to read a whole paragraph that simply restates the question.

Example: The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass discusses the relationship between education and slavery in 19th century America, showing how white control of education reinforced slavery and how Douglass and other enslaved African Americans viewed education while they endured. Moreover, the book discusses the role that education played in the acquisition of freedom. Education was a major force for social change with regard to slavery.

3. The Webster’s Dictionary introduction. This introduction begins by giving the dictionary definition of one or more of the words in the assigned question. Anyone can look a word up in the dictionary and copy down what Webster says. If you want to open with a discussion of an important term, it may be far more interesting for you (and your reader) if you develop your own definition of the term in the specific context of your class and assignment. You may also be able to use a definition from one of the sources you’ve been reading for class. Also recognize that the dictionary is also not a particularly authoritative work—it doesn’t take into account the context of your course and doesn’t offer particularly detailed information. If you feel that you must seek out an authority, try to find one that is very relevant and specific. Perhaps a quotation from a source reading might prove better? Dictionary introductions are also ineffective simply because they are so overused. Instructors may see a great many papers that begin in this way, greatly decreasing the dramatic impact that any one of those papers will have.

Example: Webster’s dictionary defines slavery as “the state of being a slave,” as “the practice of owning slaves,” and as “a condition of hard work and subjection.”

4. The “dawn of man” introduction. This kind of introduction generally makes broad, sweeping statements about the relevance of this topic since the beginning of time, throughout the world, etc. It is usually very general (similar to the placeholder introduction) and fails to connect to the thesis. It may employ cliches—the phrases “the dawn of man” and “throughout human history” are examples, and it’s hard to imagine a time when starting with one of these would work. Instructors often find them extremely annoying.

Example: Since the dawn of man, slavery has been a problem in human history.

5. The book report introduction. This introduction is what you had to do for your elementary school book reports. It gives the name and author of the book you are writing about, tells what the book is about, and offers other basic facts about the book. You might resort to this sort of introduction when you are trying to fill space because it’s a familiar, comfortable format. It is ineffective because it offers details that your reader probably already knows and that are irrelevant to the thesis.

Example: Frederick Douglass wrote his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave , in the 1840s. It was published in 1986 by Penguin Books. In it, he tells the story of his life.

And now for the conclusion…

Writing an effective introduction can be tough. Try playing around with several different options and choose the one that ends up sounding best to you!

Just as your introduction helps readers make the transition to your topic, your conclusion needs to help them return to their daily lives–but with a lasting sense of how what they have just read is useful or meaningful. Check out our handout on conclusions for tips on ending your paper as effectively as you began it!

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Douglass, Frederick. 1995. Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself . New York: Dover.

Creative Commons License

Essay Writing Guide

Writing An Essay Introduction

A Complete Essay Introduction Writing Guide With Examples

Published on: Feb 24, 2023

Last updated on: Feb 23, 2023

Writing An Essay Introduction

On This Page On This Page

Writing an essay introduction can be a daunting task, especially if you don't know where to start.

Essay introductions are the first impression that your reader will have of your paper. So, it's important to make sure they're well written and engaging. You want to draw in your readers with an interesting opening that sets the tone for the rest of your work.

If you're having difficulty crafting your essay introduction, let MyPerfectWords.com lend a hand!

We offer expert advice on how to write an effective essay introduction that will grab your reader’s attention from the very beginning and keep them engaged throughout.

With our tips and examples, you can create an incredible essay introduction that will set the tone for a well-written, powerful paper.

Without further ado, let's begin!

Tough Essay Due? Hire Tough Writers

The Definition of an Essay Introduction

An essay introduction is the first part of your paper that introduces the main points and presents your stance on the topic.

It should provide a brief overview of what readers can expect from the body of your paper, as well as any relevant background information. It should also be concise and direct, as too much fluff can quickly detract from your overall argument.

Purpose of the Essay Introduction

The purpose of an essay introduction is to provide the reader with a brief overview of your paper and its main points.

It should also set the tone for the rest of the paper by summing up your argument or presenting any pertinent background information. Essay introductions should be written in such a way as to capture the reader’s attention and keep them interested in reading the rest of your paper.

How To Write An Essay Introduction

The beginning of the essay sets the tone for the reader. It is essential to write an essay introduction that picks your reader’s interest and encourages them to read further.

There is no one way of starting an essay. Some people prefer getting started with the essay and write the introduction at the end of the writing process.

Whenever you decide to write the introduction, always focus on the tone and purpose of your essay.

Here is a quick guide on how to write an introduction paragraph for an essay.

Step 1: Start With a Hook

Start your essay introduction with an interesting hook statement that should pull the readers in. This is usually the first sentence that sets the tone of your essay. Start with something interesting, clear, and concise to grab the reader’s attention.

Here are some expert suggestions on how to create a hook:

You can also refer to other catchy hook examples for writing a captivating start of the essay introduction.

Step 2: Background Information

Give the background of your essay topic first, and then identify the themes.

The introduction always begins with an orientation. It contains statements that show how the topic relates to bigger issues addressed in the next part of the essay.

The information you present here should be focused and must relate to the main argument of your essay. You can mention points that you will discuss in the body section. But do not give much information in this section.

Here's an example of it:

Step 3: State the Limitations of Your Essay or Discussion

Since you cannot discuss everything that is present about the given topic, it is important that you limit your discussion. Narrow down your focus and inform the readers how and why you have chosen the given topic or subject.

Here's a demonstration of it.

Step 4: Write the Thesis Statement

The last part of the introduction is the thesis statement. The thesis statement is a brief overview of the entire essay. It demonstrates the fundamental idea and approach of the writer toward the essay topic.

The thesis statement is written at the end of the introductory paragraph.

Step 5: Conclude the Essay Introduction

Finally, you must conclude your essay introduction by summarising the points mentioned in it. This should be done in such a way that readers are encouraged to read further and start exploring the rest of your paper.

Your conclusion should also include a call-to-action that encourages readers to engage in further discussion.

Here's an example of a well-crafted introduction:

The Essay Introduction Structure

An essay introduction serves as the first impression for your reader. It sets the tone for the rest of your paper and tells the reader what to expect from your work. The structure of an essay introduction should include a hook, contextual information, and a thesis statement.

A hook is used to grab readers' attention and draw them in. It can be a quote, an anecdote, or an interesting fact. The goal of the hook is to make your reader interested in reading your essay and keep them engaged until the end.

Contextual Information

Contextual information gives the reader background on the subject you are writing about. This can include facts, definitions, and historical information. By providing this information, your reader will be better equipped to understand the rest of your essay.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement is the main point of your paper and should be stated clearly in one sentence. It should briefly explain what you plan to discuss in the body of your paper. A good thesis statement should be specific and narrow in focus so that the reader can easily understand your argument.

Essay Introduction Outline

Essay Introduction Sample

Essay Introduction Examples

Here are some interesting introduction examples for different types of essays for you to go through and take help from.

Argumentative Essay Introduction Example

A good argumentative essay introduction is like an opening statement of the court. It involves presenting the facts at hand and the main argumentative approach in a rational and intellectual manner.

Here is an example for you to understand how to write an argumentative essay introduction.

Persuasive Essay Introduction Example

Writing a persuasive essay introduction is a tricky one. One of the reasons persuasive essay introductions are difficult to write is because it is difficult to persuade readers. As an author, you need to apply a subtle approach to your introduction.

Below is a perfect example of a persuasive essay introduction.

Compare and Contrast Essay Introduction Example

The compare and contrast essay introduction analyzes the similarities and differences between two or more subjects. They are often assigned to enhance the student’s critical abilities, analytical reasoning, and academic writing skills. A compare and contrast essay introduction is different in many ways; for instance, it introduces two elements within its first paragraph.

The following is a great introduction for a compare and contrast essay that you can refer to.

Descriptive Essay Introduction Example

Writing a descriptive essay introduction is easy when you know how to pen down your ideas. A descriptive essay provides a clear image of the topic and conveys a comprehensive understanding of the topic to the reader.

Here is an outstanding descriptive essay introduction example for your help.

Covid - 19 Essay Introduction Example

The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on life in many countries. But it has also shown how resilient people can be in the face of adversity. Writing an essay on this topic requires careful analysis of the current situation and its effects.

The following is a great example of an introduction to a Covid-19 Essay.

Abortion Essay Introduction Example

The abortion debate remains one of the most controversial topics in modern society.

Pro-choice and pro-life advocates have been debating this issue for decades, with no end in sight. Writing an essay on this topic requires thoughtful research and a clear understanding of both sides.

Here's an example of how to write an abortion essay introduction.

Heritage Day Essay Introduction

Heritage Day is an important holiday that celebrates the multicultural heritage of South Africa.

It's a day to remember and appreciate the nation’s diverse culture, while also reflecting on our shared history. Writing an essay on this topic requires careful consideration of its history and purpose.

Here is an example of a great Heritage Essay Introduction:

Essay Introduction: Mistakes to Avoid

For a good introduction, here are some mistakes that you should avoid writing in your introductory paragraph.

By avoiding these mistakes, you can ensure that your essay introduction is clear and concise. It will help readers easily understand the topic and follow your argument throughout the paper.

Essay Introduction Writing Tips

The following are some expert essay writing tips that you can follow for an interesting introduction.

Remember, an essay introduction is very important as it is the first element of an essay outline . However, it is not an easy task to accomplish.

Watch this video to learn the steps required for crafting a compelling essay.

Lastly, keep in mind that there are many ways you can be creative with your essay introduction. Well-composed opening lines will help you grab the reader’s attention.

Hopefully, the guidelines in this blog helped you in coming up with a strategy to engage your readers from the start.

If you are struggling to make your essay introduction engaging, look no further. We are a professional online essay writing service that guarantees top-quality essays.

MyPerfectWords.com will provide the perfect "hook" for an introductory paragraph and write a compelling story from start to finish!

Hire our top essay writer service today!

Nova A. (Literature, Marketing)

Nova Allison is a Digital Content Strategist with over eight years of experience. Nova has also worked as a technical and scientific writer. She is majorly involved in developing and reviewing online content plans that engage and resonate with audiences. Nova has a passion for writing that engages and informs her readers.

People also read

An Ultimate Essay Writing Guide for Students

Learn How to Write An Essay in Simple Steps

A Complete 500 Word Essay Writing Guide With Examples

Interesting Essay Topics to Ensure A Better Grade

Different Types of Essays In Academic Writing

Essay Format: A Basic Guide With Examples

Learn How to Create a Perfect Essay Outline

Learn How to Start an Essay In Simple Steps

What is a Hook Example For an Essay? Know Now

Learn How to Write a Thesis Statement With Examples

Good Thesis Statement Examples For Your Help

What is a Topic Sentence? - Definition & Examples

Learn How to Write a Conclusion in Simple Steps

Transition Words For Essays - The Ultimate List 2023

What are the 4 Types of Sentences - Definition & Examples

Rules and Writing Conventions For College Student

Essay Writing Problems - 5 Most Paralyzing Problems

Useful Tips for Students on How to Make an Essay Longer

How to Title an Essay - A Short Guide & Examples

Learn How to Write a 1000 Word Essay Like a Pro

Share this article

Keep reading

Writing An Essay Introduction

We value your privacy

We use cookies to improve your experience and give you personalized content. Do you agree to our cookie policy?

Website Data Collection

We use data collected by cookies and JavaScript libraries.

Are you sure you want to cancel?

Your preferences have not been saved.

How to write an essay: Introduction

The Introduction

An in troduction generally does three things. The first part is usually a general comment that shows the reader why the topic is important, gets their interest, and leads them into the topic. It isn’t actually part of your argument. The next part of the introduction is the thesis statement . This is your response to the question; your final answer. It is probably the most important part of the introduction. Finally, the introduction tells the reader what they can expect in the essay body. This is where you briefly outline your arguments .

Here is an example of the introduction to the question - Discuss how media can influence children. Use specific examples to support your view.

Example of an introduction

Pathways and Academic Learning Support

Have a language expert improve your writing

Check your paper for plagiarism in 10 minutes, generate your apa citations for free.

How to Write a Great College Essay Introduction | Examples

Published on October 4, 2021 by Meredith Testa . Revised on July 22, 2022 by Kirsten Courault.

Admissions officers read thousands of essays each application season, and they may devote as little as five minutes to reviewing a student’s entire application. That means it’s critical to have a well-structured essay with a compelling introduction. As you write and revise your essay , look for opportunities to make your introduction more engaging.

There’s one golden rule for a great introduction: don’t give too much away . Your reader shouldn’t be able to guess the entire trajectory of the essay after reading the first sentence. A striking or unexpected opening captures the reader’s attention, raises questions, and makes them want to keep reading to the end .

Table of contents

Start with a surprise, start with a vivid, specific image, avoid clichés, frequently asked questions about college application essays.

A great introduction often has an element of mystery. Consider the following opening statement.

This opener is unexpected, even bizarre—what could this student be getting at? How can you be bad at breathing?

The student goes on to describe her experience with asthma and how it has affected her life. It’s not a strange topic, but the introduction is certainly intriguing. This sentence keeps the admissions officer reading, giving the student more of an opportunity to keep their attention and make her point.

In a sea of essays with standard openings such as “One life-changing experience for me was …” or “I overcame an obstacle when …,” this introduction stands out. The student could have used either of those more generic introductions, but neither would have been as successful.

This type of introduction is a true “hook”—it’s highly attention-grabbing, and the reader has to keep reading to understand.

If your topic doesn’t lend itself to such a surprising opener, you can also start with a vivid, specific description.

Many essays focus on a particular experience, and describing one moment from that experience can draw the reader in. You could focus on small details of what you could see and feel, or drop the reader right into the middle of the story with dialogue or action.

Some students choose to write more broadly about themselves and use some sort of object or metaphor as the focus. If that’s the type of essay you’d like to write, you can describe that object in vivid detail, encouraging the reader to imagine it.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Cliché essay introductions express ideas that are stereotypical or generally thought of as conventional wisdom. Ideas like “My family made me who I am today” or “I accomplished my goals through hard work and determination” may genuinely reflect your life experience, but they aren’t unique or particularly insightful.

Unoriginal essay introductions are easily forgotten and don’t demonstrate a high level of creative thinking. A college essay is intended to give insight into the personality and background of an applicant, so a standard, one-size-fits-all introduction may lead admissions officers to think they are dealing with a standard, unremarkable applicant.

Quotes can often fall into the category of cliché essay openers. There are some circumstances in which using a quote might make sense—for example, you could quote an important piece of advice or insight from someone important in your life. But for most essays, quotes aren’t necessary, and they may make your essay seem uninspired.

The introduction of your college essay is the first thing admissions officers will read and therefore your most important opportunity to stand out. An excellent introduction will keep admissions officers reading, allowing you to tell them what you want them to know.

The key to a strong college essay introduction is not to give too much away. Try to start with a surprising statement or image that raises questions and compels the reader to find out more.

Cliché openers in a college essay introduction are usually general and applicable to many students and situations. Most successful introductions are specific: they only work for the unique essay that follows.

In most cases, quoting other people isn’t a good way to start your college essay . Admissions officers want to hear your thoughts about yourself, and quotes often don’t achieve that. Unless a quote truly adds something important to your essay that it otherwise wouldn’t have, you probably shouldn’t include it.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Testa, M. (2022, July 22). How to Write a Great College Essay Introduction | Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved February 28, 2023, from https://www.scribbr.com/college-essay/introduction-college-essay/

Is this article helpful?

Meredith Testa

Meredith Testa

Other students also liked, college essay format & structure | example outlines, how to end a college admissions essay | 4 winning strategies, what do colleges look for in an essay | examples & tips.

Top 10 Argumentative Essay Introduction Examples

When writing an argumentative essay , the introduction might be the most important part of your paper. The introduction to your argumentative essay must grab your readers’ attention and draw them to the topic. There are many points that you need to include in your introduction when writing an argumentative essay.

An attention-getter can set up what will follow throughout the rest of the paper, make the reader see what you are trying to prove, and provide an example to show why your topic is important.

Creating a sense of importance or urgency brings the reader into the essay because they feel they should know more about it. This will allow readers to become engaged in your topic and stay interested throughout the rest of your argumentative essay.

Here are a few examples of good argumentative essay introductions.

Argumentative essay introduction example 1

Gambling, or gambling addiction, is a complex subject to understand. Some people often win, which may lead others to believe that they are lucky rather than skilled. Many people gamble to escape reality for a bit and have fun. Others gamble for the thrill of it because their lives are boring. It is difficult to determine when a person’s behavior turns from a hobby into a problem. It is even more challenging to decide if that something is indeed an addiction. Although gambling may be harmful in specific ways, I believe that the negatives do not outweigh the positives.

Argumentative essay introduction example 2

In today’s society, there are many different opinions about what is right and wrong. From drinking alcohol to smoking, each person has a different set of standards. Where people differ, the most is about morality. Morality is the standard of conduct in society, being considered right or wrong by most people. There are different schools of thought on morality, including classical, evolutionary ethics, and social contract theory. This paper will discuss how these three theories define moral law.

Argumentative essay introduction example 3

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role that the media has played in stoking debates about ethnic diversity, multiculturalism, and national identity. I will discuss ways in which print journalism promoted political agendas by using certain news stories as examples. For example, The Globe & Mail’s coverage of ‘ethnic voters’ during the 1993 federal election attempted to explain why the Canadian electorate was leaning toward a change in government. The paper also illustrated the consequences of public opinion on legislation throughout Canada’s history, such as passing anti-Chinese legislation in B.C., and more recently, Quebec’s Bill 101.

Argumentative essay introduction example 4

People often consider athletes to be role models for society. They say that athletes are good, clean-cut people who live out the American dream. People think of them as successful individuals who have earned their money through hard work and determination. They usually leave out that many famous athletes today are just in it for the money and don’t care who they hurt in the process. They will do whatever it takes to make more money and become even more famous, even if it means ruining their reputation and hurting people. Many athletes have had problems with steroids, drinking alcohol underage, drugs, etc., yet fans continue to look up to them because of their athletic abilities.

Argumentative essay introduction example 5

Does the United States need a military draft? Many people think so, and there are many examples of why it would be effective. A military draft has several benefits but is not without its disadvantages. People believe that an all-volunteer army is better than conscription for various reasons, but the cons outweigh the pros. The benefits of compulsory military service are that it would increase the number of troops drastically overnight, solve unemployment problems, and ensure loyalty to America rather than other countries. The disadvantages include low-quality individuals in the armed forces, unfairness towards people who cannot enlist because they have certain health problems or are married with children, and the adverse effects of war on those drafted into service.

Argumentative essay introduction example 6

The first several decades of the twentieth century were marked by peace and tranquillity in North America and Europe. This era was known as the ‘American Dream.’ The world’s economy had never been stronger, and all shared this newfound wealth. The economy improved with the automobile industry, the oil business, the steel industry, and radio broadcasting. What led to this era of prosperity that people were experiencing? Were there policies or circumstances that created economic stability worldwide? There were many reasons for this era of peace, but the leading cause was that most economies were based on gold. People bought and sold goods with real money, rather than government-issued paper or funny money.

Argumentative essay introduction example 7

The use of animals in scientific research is a highly controversial issue. Opponents say it is cruel and immoral to use animals for experiments, whereas proponents argue that developing life-saving drugs and treatments is necessary. It is necessary to use animals in scientific experiments for medical research because humans and animals are similar in complex ways. The brain, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and immune systems of different species are so alike that studying the effects of drugs on non-human subjects is highly beneficial to advancing knowledge about how various substances will affect people.

Argumentative essay introduction example 8

Driving while talking on a cell phone can be very dangerous. If you drive while using your cell phone, you become four times more likely to get into an accident. For this reason, many countries and provinces in Canada have banned the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. Using a headset or speakerphone is an alternative to holding the phone, but it does not eliminate the risk. One of the concerns is that talking on a cell phone slows reaction time and causes people to miss visual cues they would otherwise notice.

Argumentative essay introduction example 9

Does the average person really need to drink eight glasses of water a day? This idea has been passed down, but is it based on scientific facts, or is it a myth? Some people say that drinking eight glasses of water a day is an old wives’ tale, whereas others insist that one should drink at least this amount of water every day. The main point is that the body requires a certain amount of daily fluid intake, and it is important to maintain proper hydration levels for overall health. It is not necessary to drink eight glasses of water each day, but one should drink enough to urinate at least four times per day.

Argumentative essay introduction example 10

Is the U.S. directly responsible for spreading democracy across the world? The United States has been involved in various activities which have led to regime changes in other countries, where democratically elected governments replaced leaders. Countries that have received military training from the U.S., such as El Salvador and Colombia, are flourishing democracies. This has led many people to believe that the U.S.’s interest in spreading democracy across the world is genuine. Still, others are skeptical because it benefits America when other countries join NATO or accept free trade deals.

How to Create a Sense of Importance or Urgency in Your Introduction

example of a good introduction in essay

Here are some tips for creating a sense of importance or urgency in your introduction:

What Influences an Excellent Argumentative Essay Introduction?

example of a good introduction in essay

Several factors come into play when it comes to writing a good introduction. The most important points to consider are:

Choice of the argumentative essay topic

Picking interesting argumentative essay topics makes it easier to write an interesting introduction. Another set of topics that guarantee good introductions are the controversial argumentative essay topics.

Writing argumentative essays need proper research done. It does not matter if you are writing a basic argumentative essay or an argumentative research paper. You need to do proper research for your introduction to be effective.

You have to choose the audience targeted in your introduction. For instance, use formal language when addressing professors and informal language when speaking with friends. You can also adjust the thought process of your audience by using certain words. Choice of words targeted for middle school students will be different from a postgraduate audience.

Tips for Writing an Effective Argumentative Essay Introduction

example of a good introduction in essay

Here are some tips you can use when you write an argumentative essay introduction. They include:

Introduce the conflicting ideas with a comparison or analogy.

Give a brief background on the conflicting ideas to show your readers how they came to be. Make a clear and concise statement that sums up both sides of the argument, like “some say X while others say Y.” Make sure it’s something that can be backed up with evidence later on.

End your introduction with a thesis statement that states which side of the argument you’re taking and what type of claim it is, like “I believe we should eliminate homework because doing so will improve students’ test scores.”

Ask readers questions that get them thinking about your idea.

Questions have proven to be an effective way to get readers thinking about what you’re trying to say. You can ask questions that help them relate it back to their lives, like “What would happen if there was no drinking water?” or “What if everyone decided they didn’t want to eat meat anymore?”

Introduce the opposing side.

If you’re going to be arguing against a popular opinion , you’ll need to state what that opinion is briefly. Let readers know how you plan to argue against it with a word like “despite” or “although” that shows you’re aware of the other side.

Describe your audience.

People are more likely to read something if they feel it’s written specifically for them, so mention your audience right away by saying something like “for all students.” You can also mention a specific group of people, like “for all teens.”

Present readers with a thought-provoking quote.

Quotes can be a great way to grab readers’ attention and get them thinking about what you plan to say. You don’t want your quote to sound like something that was copied and pasted from a textbook, so try using one that has creative language or has been taken out of its original context.

Mistakes to Avoid While Writing Introductions for Argumentative Essays

example of a good introduction in essay

There are many mistakes that writers commonly make while writing introductory paragraphs. These include:

Being too basic.

People are reading your essay to learn more about your argument, so give them what they need with concrete examples. You don’t need to tell readers something they already know if you are not adding any new information or angle.

Being too wordy.

Writing too much can cause your introduction to be confusing and messy. Readers will stop reading if they feel like their eyes are glazing over, so try not to use five words when one would do the job just as well. If you’re having trouble cutting down on the length of your statements, ask yourself what your main point is and what you’re hoping to accomplish with your introduction.

Not narrowing down your argument.

Narrowing down your argument is important because it allows readers to focus on the main point of your essay. If you’re having trouble narrowing down your ideas, try listing reasons why one option would be better than the other or what impact it will have if certain things are changed.

Not strengthening your argument by using evidence.

Your thesis statement should be supported by evidence , so make sure your introductory paragraph flows easily into the body. If you’re struggling with what types of evidence to include, think about what can be seen as common sense, backed up by research or stated by an expert.

Not using transitional words.

Transitional words help the flow of your writing because they signal an upcoming change in idea or direction. Words like “however,” “for example,” and “despite this” can be used to show readers when the tone of your argument is changing.

Not using a hook.

A hook draws a reader in by making them curious about what you’re going to say next or how it relates to them, so choosing one that best suits your argument can help improve the effectiveness of your introduction.

Writing a good introduction for an argumentative essay is key to catching your readers’ attention and making them want to learn more. A strong introduction should consist of ideas relevant to your argument, clarify how you plan to form an argument and provide readers with a compelling reason to continue reading. Remember not to include too much information or make mistakes common among new writers, like being wordy or not including evidence.

example of a good introduction in essay

I ‘m a freelance content and SEO writer with a passion for finding the perfect combination of words to capture attention and express a message . I create catchy, SEO-friendly content for websites, blogs, articles, and social media. My experience spans many industries, including health and wellness, technology, education, business, and lifestyle. My clients appreciate my ability to craft compelling stories that engage their target audience, but also help to improve their website’s search engine rankings. I’m also an avid learner and stay up to date on the latest SEO trends. I enjoy exploring new places and reading up on the latest marketing and SEO strategies in my free time.

Similar Posts

How to Get Motivated to Write an Essay

How to Get Motivated to Write an Essay

Are you unmotivated to write an essay? If so, read this article and learn how to get motivated! When we’re faced with a task that we don’t want to do, the first instinct for many people is to find any excuse they can: “I don’t have enough time, I need more information, it’s not my…

Top 5 Examples of Analytical Essays in 2021

Top 5 Examples of Analytical Essays in 2021

Analytical skills help develop one’s critical thinking ability in analyzing the environment to understand every bit of an issue. They are also instrumental in tackling real-life situations, especially those that require one to prove a point. Let us look into analytical essays and the different types you can apply in your writing.

Types of Essays-With Examples

Types of Essays-With Examples

There are 5 types of essays: expository, persuasive/argumentative, narrative, and descriptive. This blog post will teach you about the various types of essays so that you can choose the appropriate one for your paper in school or on any other type of writing assignment.

5 Examples of Evaluative Essays

As the name implies, an evaluation essay evaluates anything – typically an idea, a work of art, or a product. Evaluation essays are common in the academic world. Writing an evaluation essay or evaluation paper is a valuable skill that will be useful for you in your studies and future career. There are many different…

How to Write an Outline-Guide, Tips, and Samples

How to Write an Outline-Guide, Tips, and Samples

It’s been said that the best way to learn how to write an outline is by examining examples. This blog post will provide you with some of the most popular types of outlines, along with a few tips and samples for each type.

How to Write a Leadership Essay- With Example

How to Write a Leadership Essay- With Example

Do you know how to write a good leadership essay? Many students don’t. They consider it a difficult assignment, and yet the idea of writing an essay about themselves or their own ambitions can be even more exciting. This lack of preparation is understandable because few other types of essays ask students to essentially review…

In order to continue enjoying our site, we ask that you confirm your identity as a human. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

How to Write an Essay Introduction?

16 January, 2021

Author: Elizabeth Brown

You have been assigned to write an essay but you’re not quite sure how to get started. Don’t worry, after reading this introduction, you will have a better grasp on what you should do. The introduction of an essay is the first thing that a reader will see, so it can influence how your entire essay is received. Be sure to take your time to make it effective. Before you start, you should first identify the purpose of your introduction.

essay introduction

Why do I Need an Introduction Paragraph?

You’re writing an introduction to your essay for two reasons. First, its purpose is to hook your readers so that they will read on and see what you have to say. Second, it will provide a guideline for your topic and main argument, known as the thesis statement. Your first sentences should pull the readers in – this is the hook that tells your readers something they didn’t know before. It can be an interesting fact, a surprising statistic, or a quote from a well-known person. Basically, it can be anything that has the ability to catch your readers’ attention. Choose the right hook based on your topic and style. Your readers need enough information to understand the background of your essay. Make sure, however, to keep it short, too, not to lose their interest. Your thesis statement, on the other hand, should provide an answer to the main problem of your essay.

Goals essay introduction

How Long Should an Essay Introduction Be?

This depends on the overall length of your essay. There is no set rule for how long an introduction should be. For a 2- to a 3-page essay, the appropriate length is usually one paragraph. But in case the overall length of your essay is more, for example, 4−5 pages, two paragraphs is considered more appropriate. A general rule is that your introduction should be between 5 and 10 percent of the overall length of your essay.

How to Write a Good Essay Introduction?

Being able to write a good essay is an essential skill for your future. As many as 80 percents of corporations with employment growth potential assess their applicants’ writing skills during the hiring process.

To write a good introduction paragraph, you need to first identify your audience. You want your essay to evoke emotions and to keep your readers interested from start to finish. Before you can do that, you need to know who your readers are. If you’re writing an essay as a class assignment, you don’t necessarily have to write for your instructor. Choose your audience based on the subject matter of your essay. For example, if you’re writing an essay about career paths, you may want to identify students and young professionals as your target audience. Your target audience determines what information you should include and what you can leave out.

To make the introduction of your essay effective, you can appeal to your readers’ emotions. This is a good strategy, especially when writing a persuasive essay introduction about a personal topic. It will help you get your audience emotionally involved in the topic. For example, if you’re writing an essay about foreign aid, you can describe the tragedy of undernourished children to evoke some emotions in your readers. Another strategy is to ask thought-provoking questions. This way, you will draw your readers in by making them think about your subject matter. As long as these questions are intriguing enough, your readers will want to find out the answers.

essay introduction

Move From the General to the Specific

Perhaps you have heard of the upside-down pyramid. Place your hook at the top, and use 2 to 3 sentences to describe the wider context of your thesis. You should try to make each sentence more specific than the one before it. For example, if you’re writing an essay about the crimes committed by refugees, you could start with an anecdote about a victim of these crimes. Then you could provide statistics about the problem in a specific country, and finally narrow it down to a particular age group or social group.

Make a Smooth Transition to the Body

In many cases, you can move straight from your introduction to the first paragraph of your body. Sometimes, however, you may need a transition sentence to move naturally to the rest of your essay. You can test whether you need this transition sentence by reading your introduction and the first paragraph of your body out loud. If you find yourself pausing between the two paragraphs, it’s better to write a transition sentence.

Pay Attention to Your Structure

Keep in mind that it’s not necessary to write the introduction first. In fact, it’s often easier to write it after writing the body and conclusion. On the other hand, others find it convenient to write the introduction first and use it as an outline for the rest of the essay.

While your introduction needs to be short, it should also convey a lot of information. The first sentence is your hook that catches your readers’ attention. The next sentences build a bridge between your hook and the general topic of your essay. The ending sentence of your introduction should include your thesis statement or points that you will discuss in more detail in the body and which support the main argument of your essay.

essay introduction structure

Remember to Revise

This is important for those who prefer to write their introduction first. Since it’s not uncommon to deviate from your outline, make sure that your introduction is in line with your completed essay. Make every sentence count and remove any unnecessary parts.

In case you’re struggling to find the time for your essay, you can always contact our essay writer . We have been in the business long enough to know the ins and outs of a perfect essay. Save your time and let us ease your burden.

Check Some Essay Introduction Examples

Now that you know the theory behind writing an effective essay introduction, it’s time to see things in practice. Samples are useful for learning how to put all the information into action. Check the samples below to figure out what your introduction should look like.

Argumentative Essay Introduction

In an argumentative essay introduction, you should present your own personal opinion on the topic based on your evaluation which you will present in the body.

argumentative essay introduction example

You can also check this argumentative essay sample.

Persuasive Essay Introduction

Persuasive essay introduction also should attempt to convince readers to believe in an idea or opinion. It needs to showcase some personal attitude to the topic.

persuasive essay introduction example

You can also check more in-depth instructions for writing a persuasive essay.

Compare and Contrast Essay Introduction

A compare and contrast essay introduction should describe two sides of a problem. It’s easier to consider two very different things. You can start with a brief description of the problem and then move on to talk about the two things.

compare and contrast essay introduction example

You can also check topic ideas for your compare and contrast essay.

Best Essay Writing Services

Best Essay Writing Services 2023

Student life can often be quite challenging because students have to deal with challenging college essay writing assignments. To facilitate the learning process, many services help you complete written work and get high scores. Now we will tell you about the best services that you can turn to and get high-quality papers. Essay Writing Service […]

A life lesson in Romeo and Juliet taught by death

A life lesson in Romeo and Juliet taught by death

Due to human nature, we draw conclusions only when life gives us a lesson since the experience of others is not so effective and powerful. Therefore, when analyzing and sorting out common problems we face, we may trace a parallel with well-known book characters or real historical figures. Moreover, we often compare our situations with […]

Nursing Research Paper Topics

Nursing Research Paper Topics

Selecting an academic paper topic is a crucial step in the writing process. The variety of nursing research topics makes it challenging to find the appropriate paper theme. But if you choose a sound nursing research paper subject, it will contribute to a flawless thesis statement, using relevant resources, a smooth writing process, and impressive […]

Essay writing: Introductions

On this page:

“A relevant and coherent beginning is perhaps your best single guarantee that the essay as a whole will achieve its object.” Gordon Taylor, A Student's Writing Guide

Your introduction is the first thing your marker will read and should be approximately 10% of your word count. Within the first minute they should know if your essay is going to be a good one or not. An introduction has several components but the most important of these are the last two we give here. You need to show the reader what your position is and how you are going to argue the case to get there so that the essay becomes your answer to the question rather than just an answer.

What an introduction should include:

Background information

It is good to start with a statement that fixes your essay topic and focus in a wider context so that the reader is sure of where they are within the field. This is a very small part of the introduction though - do not fall into the trap of writing a whole paragraph that is nothing but background information.

Beware though, this only has to be a little bit wider, not completely universal. That is, do not start with something like "In the whole field of nursing...." or "Since man could write, he has always...". Instead, simply situate the area that you are writing about within a slightly bigger area. For example, you could start with a general statement about a topic, outlining some key issues but explain that your essay will focus on only one. Here is an example:

The ability to communicate effectively and compassionately is a key skill within nursing. Communication is about more than being able to speak confidently and clearly, it is about effective listening (Singh, 2019), the use of gesture, body language and tone (Adebe et al., 2016) and the ability to tailor language and messaging to particular situations (Smith & Jones, 2015). This essay will explore the importance of non-verbal communication ...

The example introduction at the bottom of this page also starts with similar, short background information.

Prehistoric man with the caption "Since the dawn of man..."

Defining key terms

This does not mean quoting dictionary definitions - we all have access to dictionary.com with a click or two. There are many words we use in academic work that can have multiple or nuanced definitions. You have to write about how you are defining any potentially ambiguous terms in relation to your essay topic. This is really important for your reader, as it will inform them how you are using such words in the context of your essay and prevent confusion or misunderstanding.

Student deciding if 'superpower' relates to the USA and China or Superman and Spider-man

Stating your case (road mapping)

The main thing an introduction will do is...introduce your essay! That means you need to tell the reader what your conclusion is and how you will get there.

There is no need to worry about *SPOILER ALERTS* - this is not a detective novel you can give away the ending! Sorry, but building up suspense is just going to irritate the reader rather than eventually satisfy. Simply outline how your main arguments (give them in order) lead to your conclusion. In American essay guides you will see something described as the ‘thesis statement’ - although we don't use this terminology in the UK, it is still necessary to state in your introduction what the over-arching argument of your essay will be. Think of it as the mega-argument , to distinguish it from the mini-arguments you make in each paragraph. Look at the example introduction at the bottom of this page which includes both of these elements.

Car on a road to a place called 'Conclusion'

Confirming your position

To some extent, this is covered in your roadmap (above), but it is so important, it deserves some additional attention here. Setting out your position is an essential component of all essays. Brick et al. (2016:143) even suggest

"The purpose of an essay is to present a clear position and defend it"

It is, however, very difficult to defend a position if you have not made it clear in the first place. This is where your introduction comes in. In stating your position, you are ultimately outlining the answer to the question. You can then make the rest of your essay about providing the evidence that supports your answer. As such, if you make your position clear, you will find all subsequent paragraphs in your essay easier to write and join together. As you have already told your reader where the essay is going, you can be explicit in how each paragraph contributes to your mega-argument.

In establishing your position and defending it, you are ultimately engaging in scholarly debate. This is because your positions are supported by academic evidence and analysis. It is in your analysis of the academic evidence that should lead your reader to understand your position. Once again - this is only possible if your introduction has explained your position in the first place.

student standing on a cross holding a sign saying "my position"

An example introduction

(Essay title = Evaluate the role of stories as pedagogical tools in higher education)

Stories have been an essential communication technique for thousands of years and although teachers and parents still think they are important for educating younger children, they have been restricted to the role of entertainment for most of us since our teenage years. This essay will claim that stories make ideal pedagogical tools, whatever the age of the student, due to their unique position in cultural and cognitive development. To argue this, it will consider three main areas: firstly, the prevalence of stories across time and cultures and how the similarity of story structure suggests an inherent understanding of their form which could be of use to academics teaching multicultural cohorts when organising lecture material; secondly, the power of stories to enable listeners to personally relate to the content and how this increases the likelihood of changing thoughts, behaviours and decisions - a concept that has not gone unnoticed in some fields, both professional and academic; and finally, the way that different areas of the brain are activated when reading, listening to or watching a story unfold, which suggests that both understanding and ease of recall, two key components of learning, are both likely to be increased . Each of these alone could make a reasoned argument for including more stories within higher education teaching – taken together, this argument is even more compelling.

Key: Background information (scene setting) Stating the case (r oad map) Confirming a position (in two places). Note in this introduction there was no need to define key terms.

Brick, J., Herke, M., and Wong, D., (2016) Academic Culture, A students guide to studying at university, 3rd edition. Victoria, Australia: Palgrave Macmillan.

Accessibility links

How to write an introduction to an essay

Which of these sayings do you agree with?

If you agree with any of them, you are already on your way to thinking about the importance of introductions!

Introduction on how to write an introduction

An introduction is the opening paragraph of an essay. It should briefly introduce the topic and outline your key ideas to answer the question. These ideas are then explored in more detail in the rest of the essay and this in turn leads to your conclusion.

An introduction will give the reader their first impression of your ideas . So it’s useful to spend time thinking and planning what to include.

A video on how to hook your reader in your introduction

Focusing on the question.

Most essay titles are either a question (how, why, in what way..?) or include a command word telling you what to do. For example, you may be asked to ‘explore’ or ‘describe’ or ‘analyse’ a piece of writing. In the introduction you need to outline your answer to the essay question or topic.

Introductions should be:

Introduce the topic straightaway in your first sentence

How you start your essay will depend on the question or title. If the question is:

Why is Piggy an important character in the novel, Lord of the Flies ?

You could answer the question directly in a single sentence:

In Lord of the Flies , Golding uses the character of Piggy to show the reader what happens when society breaks down leading to violence against others and, in Piggy’s case, death.

If the question is:

In what way does Ralph represent moral authority in Lord of the Flies ?

You could explain or explore the key words from the essay question in your first sentence:

Moral authority means being trusted to make decisions that are right and good and in Lord of the Flies , Ralph starts by being a good leader.

The next sentences in your introduction will build on this first sentence.

Identify the main topic

Read the following essay questions and identify the main topic.

Introduce your main points

An introduction should give the reader a glimpse into your thoughts on the essay topic or question. You could briefly:

give some brief background information on the text you are exploring and/or the author’s possible purpose in writing the text

Why is Ralph an important character in the novel Lord of the Flies ?

You could introduce the essay by saying:

In The Lord of the Flies by William Golding, Ralph is an important character because he represents order and civilisation. In the novel a group of boys become stranded on a desert island and, although Ralph tries to keep civility alive amongst the boys, they increasingly become violent and dangerous. Golding is showing that human beings are capable of great evil and cruelty especially if civilisation breaks down. Ralph shows what can happen to a good person put under pressure.

Here the four sentence introduction has:

Identifying and using key words

When you read an essay question or title you need to identify the key words, particularly the word or phrase that tells you the topic to focus on.

You then need to make sure you use these key words or phrases in your introduction.

It is not, however, as simple as just putting the key words into a sentence – you need to use these key words effectively to show your ideas and thinking.

So, for example, if the question is:

How is humour used in the play, Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare?

The topic is clearly ‘humour’ and this word needs to be used in your introduction. However simply writing: ‘Humour is used in Twelfth Night in lots of ways’ is not a powerful start. The introduction needs to introduce some of your ideas straightaway.

A better first sentence could be:

Shakespeare uses humour in Twelfth Night in order to make the audience think about ideas that might otherwise be too shocking, for example, the behaviour of women and men, or, nobles and servants.

The key word ‘humour’ has still been used (and other words from the essay question) but the sentence has immediately used the phrase ‘in order to’ to set out your big idea as to why Shakespeare used humour.

Which is false?

Which of these statements is not true?

Answer: 2. An introduction does not need to show everything you know about a key word. You can expand on this in the main body of the essay.

What to avoid

Test your knowledge

Writing in response to fiction, how to use evidence from a text, how to write an essay.

How to write a conclusion to an essay

example of a good introduction in essay

How to Write a Good Introduction: Examples & Tips [2023 Upd.]

A five-paragraph essay is one of the most common academic assignments a student may face. It has a well-defined structure: an introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Our specialists will write a custom essay on any topic for $13.00 $10.40/page

Writing an introduction can be the most challenging part of the entire piece. It aims to introduce the main ideas and present a reason for the essay’s existence. Besides, it helps the writer to capture the reader’s interest and attention. A good start is a great way to make a lasting first impression.

So, let’s see what our team found a standard essay introduction paragraph format should include:

The following tips and guidance will help you to learn how to start an essay.

🛎️ Create a Hook

📚 Provide Context

📜 Introduction Examples

📍 step-by-step guide.

Memorizing the introduction paragraph outline is a great way to learn how to write an introduction. For every type of essay, its structure will be almost identical.

This guide will show you each step of writing an introduction, using a sample from the argumentative essay about school uniforms.

🛎️Create a Hook

The first sentence sets the tone not only for the introductory paragraph but for the entire essay. In it, you aim to grab your readers’ attention from the very beginning. So, avoid long sentences that are too generic. You can try to implement some of these techniques for a good way to start an essay:

However, for an academic essay, do not try to come up with something too creative. For instance, a short story or an anecdote is not going to work for a serious topic.

Writing a hook that introduces an issue without giving too much information is essential. In our sample essay, the first sentence is quite general, but it concisely presents the problem.

For many decades, the idea of wearing a school uniform has been a topic for heated discussions.

The next step in writing your essay introduction is to provide the reader with some background information. This part will help them to understand the topic and the arguments you will be making further.

Receive a plagiarism-free paper tailored to your instructions.

A lot will depend on the subject itself and the type of essay, but the background information can be given in one of these ways:

The information and the context is needed to explain why this problem is essential and needs attention. However, do not give too many details. Keep the most relevant and interesting facts for the essay’s body.A rule of thumb is to start your opening paragraph broadly and go to a specific point later. In the sample, the writer presents the background information with these two sentences:

It is common for students to wear distinctive clothes in schools, but by the time they reach adolescence, they tend to despise the enforcement of uniforms. The opposition creates controversies on school grounds, with teachers demanding coordinated outfits and students refusing to oblige.

This statement introduces the problem and shows two opinions on the matter. It also gives an insight into a social context and an issue that both sides face.

✍️ Write a Thesis Statement

This part of the introductory paragraph aims to establish your position and narrow down the essay’s focus. The writer does it to let the reader know what exactly will become the scope of the piece.

A thesis statement does not have to be too long. Usually, a sentence or two is more than enough to explain the fundamental idea of the essay. In the sample essay, the thesis statement sets the limits for the discussion in this way:

Just $13.00 $10.40/page , and you can get an custom-written academic paper according to your instructions

School uniforms are meant to ensure equality and discipline; however, they mostly are seen as an infringement of human rights limiting students’ self-esteem and adding financial losses to low-income families.

🔺 Outline Your Argumentation

For more extended essays, you should also provide an outline of what you will be arguing further. However, it is not obligatory for the shorter works because the introduction has to be concise: about 5%-10% of the entire essay.

It is also the case for the essay introduction example used in this guide. It does not provide a preview for the arguments because of its length.

It is also recommended to write this part after you finish developing your arguments. Remember that even though the introduction is the first thing the reader reads, it does not have to be the first part you compose. Even if something in your writing doesn’t click, you can always use help in a form of a sentence rewrite generator that can improve your content right away.

🙅‍♀️ Do’s and Don’ts

These do’s and don’ts are a general list of recommendations that will help you write an outstanding introduction.

These tips apply solely to an introductory paragraph. For more information on five-paragraph essays, check other articles.

You should always aim to see the essay as a unified piece of writing. The role of the introduction is to prepare the reader for the rest of the work. Make sure you read and revise your introductory paragraph, and see if it accomplishes this purpose.

Here’s a good introduction for a research paper example :

For many decades, the idea of wearing a school uniform has been a topic for heated discussions. It is common for students to wear distinctive clothes in schools, but by the time they reach adolescence, they tend to despise the enforcement of uniforms. The opposition creates controversies on school grounds, with teachers demanding coordinated outfits and students refusing to oblige. School uniforms are meant to ensure equality and discipline; however, they mostly are seen as an infringement of human rights limiting students’ self-esteem and adding financial losses to low-income families.

Thank you for reading this article and don’t hesitate to share it with your peers. If you want to improve your essay-writing skills, look at the materials provided on our website. We have plenty of tips on how to write better essays!

Recommended for You

How to Use Gender-Neutral Pronouns in Academic Writing?

How to Use Gender-Neutral Pronouns in Academic Writing?

Often when you’re completing academic writing, especially essays, you need to use pronouns. In academic writing, the use of the word you is unacceptable. You can find yourself in a sticky situation, deciding upon gender-neutral pronouns in your academic writing.

How to Write an Abstract Step-by-Step: a Guide + Examples

How to Write an Abstract Step-by-Step: a Guide + Examples

Writing an abstract is one of the skills you need to master to succeed in your studies. An abstract is a summary of an academic text. It contains information about the aims and the outcomes of the research. The primary purpose of an abstract is to help readers understand what...

What Are the 5 Different Types of Essays? A Complete Guide

What Are the 5 Different Types of Essays? A Complete Guide

For high school or college students, essays are unavoidable – worst of all, the essay types and essay writing topics assigned change throughout your academic career. As soon as you’ve mastered one of the many types of academic papers, you’re on to the next one.

How to Write an Outline: Alphanumeric, Decimal, & Other Formats

How to Write an Outline: Alphanumeric, Decimal, & Other Formats

Common Essay Mistakes—Writing Errors to Avoid [Updated]

Common Essay Mistakes—Writing Errors to Avoid [Updated]

One of the most critical skills that students gain during their college years is assignment writing. Composing impressive essays and research papers can be quite challenging, especially for ESL students. Nonetheless, before learning the art of academic writing, you may make numerous common essay mistakes.

Best Thesis Statement Examples with Expert Comments

Best Thesis Statement Examples with Expert Comments

“Where is your thesis statement?” asks your teacher in a dramatic tone. “Where is my what?” you want to reply, but instead, you quickly point your finger at a random sentence in your paper, saying, “Here it is…”

How to Write an Introduction for a Psychology Paper

Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author and educational consultant focused on helping students learn about psychology.

example of a good introduction in essay

Emily is a board-certified science editor who has worked with top digital publishing brands like Voices for Biodiversity, Study.com, GoodTherapy, Vox, and Verywell.

example of a good introduction in essay

Writing Tips

The purpose of an introduction in a psychology paper is to justify the reasons for writing about your topic. Your goal in this section is to introduce the topic to the reader, provide an overview of previous research on the topic, and identify your own hypothesis .

Before you begin:

Start Your Psychology Paper Introduction by Researching Your Topic

Search a journal database, such as PsychInfo or ERIC, to find articles on your subject. Once you have located an article, look at the reference section to locate other studies cited in the article. As you take notes from these articles, be sure to write down where you found the information.

A simple note detailing the author's name, journal, and date of publication can help you keep track of sources and avoid plagiarism.

Create a Detailed Outline

This is often one of the most boring and onerous steps, so students tend to skip outlining and go straight to writing. Creating an outline might seem tedious, but it can be an enormous time-saver down the road and will make the writing process much easier. Start by looking over the notes you made during the research process and consider how you want to present all of your ideas and research.

Introduce the Topic

Once you are ready to write your introduction, your first task is to provide a brief description of the research question. What is the experiment or study attempting to demonstrate? What phenomena are you studying? Provide a brief history of your topic and explain how it relates to your current research.

As you are introducing your topic, consider what makes it important. Why should it matter to your reader? The goal of your introduction is not only to let your reader know what your paper is about, but also to justify why it is important for them to learn more.

If your paper tackles a controversial subject and is focused on resolving the issue, it is important to summarize both sides of the controversy in a fair and impartial way. Consider how your paper fits in with the relevant research on the topic.

Summarize Previous Research

The second task of your introduction is to provide a well-rounded summary of previous research that is relevant to your topic. So, before you begin to write this summary, it is important to research your topic thoroughly.

Finding appropriate sources amid thousands of journal articles can be a daunting task, but there are several steps you can take to simplify your research. If you have completed the initial steps of researching and keeping detailed notes, writing your introduction will come much easier.

It is important to give the reader a good overview of the historical context of the issue you are writing about, but do not feel like you have to provide an exhaustive review of the subject. Focus on hitting the main points, and try to include the most relevant studies. You might describe the findings of previous research and then explain how the current study differs or expands upon earlier research.

Provide Your Hypothesis

Once you have summarized the previous research, explain areas where the research is lacking or potentially flawed. What is missing from previous studies on your topic? What research questions have yet to be answered? Your hypothesis should lead to these questions.

At the end of your introduction, offer your hypothesis and describe what you expected to find in your experiment or study.

Tips for Writing Your Psychology Paper Intro

American Psychological Association. Information Recommended for Inclusion in Manuscripts That Report New Data Collections Regardless of Research Design . Published 2020.

By Kendra Cherry Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author and educational consultant focused on helping students learn about psychology.

By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Differences Between American and Chinese Cultures

Contrasting cultures constitute the foundation of many facets of life, and whether variety leads to conflict or success frequently depends on the goals of the leaders of each country. As time goes on, ethnic clusters become more pronounced. In addition, the globalization of technology in our daily lives unifies and dissolves cultural borders. The two most influential nations in the world right now are China and the United States of America. Due to their contrasting historical histories, China and the U.s are sometimes compared as competent older men and youthful guys with vigor and energy, respectively. The distinction between the two nations is, therefore, far more nuanced. Although globalization has brought China and U.s closer together, there are still substantial ideological levels of formalism and dietary disparities between the two countries. In this essay, I will discuss the differences between Chinese and American cultures.

The hierarchy is valued in Chinese culture. Higher-ranking individuals receive different treatment than lower-ranking individuals. Depending on one’s status, there are limitations on whom one may connect with. Seniority is highly respected. For example, addressing a more diminutive uncle versus an elder uncle requires a different approach. Even at the place of work, the person holding the highest rank is handled in a different way from the other staff members. However, America has a few laxer hierarchical standards (Johnson et al., 2022). The regulations are flexible, but the seniority is respected. Regardless of their social standing, people are free to interact with one another.

With culture, people expect people to behave in the community’s best interests. Chinese people often place a higher weight on society’s innate requirements than Americans. Usually, the community comes first at the cost of the individual. The stability of the neighborhood and the country as a whole comes first (Keightley, 2022). Forth America, people are urged to put in additional effort in order to be viewed as successful. This is one instance where it harms the neighborhood. The American culture is an individualistic one in this way, whereas the Chinese culture is a collectivist one. Many people believe that Chinese people are socialists while Americans are capitalists.

Building ties with other people is significant to Chinese people. The connections are referred to by a particular term, “guanxi.” In Chinese culture, building bonds with other people is emphasized before further engagement (Lee & Li, 2019). For instance, prior to trust establishment, in a professional context, it is typically necessary to establish a rapport. The conversations might go on for a long time. Employees are frequently urged to comprehend their coworkers better at work. The American culture does not operate in this way. In American culture, commerce is done more quickly. Trust is typically a later concern. Finding an American who scarcely knows much about his coworkers is also common. Employees in America typically engage with one another through team-building exercises, among many other things.

Compared to Americans, Chinese individuals have lower privacy expectations due to their emphasis on forming relationships (Lee & Li, 2019). For example, it is acceptable to inquire about someone’s age, relationship status, and wealth in Chinese society. Typically, these inquiries aim to learn more about a person and place him in the proper formal structure. Such queries may be viewed as violating one’s autonomy in American society (Talhelm & English, 2020). Many Americans probably feel uncomfortable if questioned about this nature.

Chinese folks tend to be reserved. They are encouraged to continue communicating informally by cultural standards. Direct inquiries are not encouraged. Regarding Chinese culture, even if an individual realizes you are incorrect, they must still agree. They are forbidden from openly confronting one another (Zhou et al., 2022). This demonstrates humility. Contrarily, in American culture, individuals are blunt in their disagreements among themselves. Extreme outbursts occasionally give the impression that individuals are fighting. The Chinese place a high value on maintaining and preserving one’s self-reputation. It has commonly referred to as “keeping face.” The Chinese forgo behaviors that might harm their reputation as a whole. The American’s final result comes at the price of their reputation (Talhelm & English, 2020). Reputation does not constitute a significant concern.

Home cooking is a favorite habit among Chinese households. The family members consider sharing the meals at the table as they are seated around it. They still eat similarly even while they are eating in restaurants. However, just a portion of Americans has dinner with their families. They frequently consume fast food during mealtime, particularly teens. Rather than spending time with their families, they choose to get out and eat with their buddies (Talhelm & English, 2020). This demonstrates how far more essential family connections are to Chinese society than Americans.

Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism are three beliefs that significantly impact Chinese culture. Examples include the value of education, respecting elders and parents, and honoring ghosts and deities to maintain health and the circle of life. However, the majority of Americans practice Catholicism and Christianity. The Catholics and Protestants frequently make prayers to God. They are convinced that God can bless individuals and that they will be taken to paradise once they pass away.

Given the strong impact of Confucianism, Chinese people always show respect for their mom, dad, and the old. The Chinese do not shout their guardians’ names, unlike Americans. Chinese consider shouting parents’ names a kind of rudeness. Since Americans like to respect their guardians as colleagues, they frequently directly express their emotions and thoughts in contrast to Chinese people who prefer to keep their feelings to themselves. In contrast, Americans seem more liberal, while the Chinese are quiet and traditional.

Americans and Chines cultures have pretty different views on when and what they should eat. The majority of people in China follow a similar diet. For instance, due to their long history of being farmers, roughly 94 percent of the Chinese eat three meals daily. An old Chinese proverb states, “Eat well at the morning, complete your lunch feeling full, and don’t eat much at supper.” Evidently, in the old days, daylight farming activities required far more nourishment than they did at night, and as a result, this practice eventually ingrained itself into Chinese eating culture. (Zhou et al., 2022) Chinese prioritize rice and pasta as their main staple foods. In actuality, the majority of north Chinese regions are drylands that are ideal for producing wheat.

In contrast, its southern regions are composed of paddy fields that encourage the development of rice. As a result, rice is preferred in the country’s south, whereas noodles are preferred by the Chinese who live there. Most of China’s diet under ancient Chinese nutrition is always made up of carbohydrates. According to recommendations, Chinese food’s carbohydrate content should be at least 55 percent.

Diversification is essential in American foods as individuals from many locations merge in the U.s to create a multicultural society. For instance, some Americans adhere to the three meals-a-day norms, while others believe it is preferable to have more frequently and less frequently (Zhou et al., 2022). Personal preferences determine everything. Americans also need to have a set of eating choices. Americans now enjoy various culinary options because of the cooking methods and traits that immigrants introduced. A typical American meal may include milk and bread in the morning, a taco from Mexico for lunch, and Kung-Pao with rice for dinner.

In China and the USA, there are differences in the level of decorum seen in discussions, mannerisms, and schools. China is a nation that values decorum in public and thus is known for its ceremonies and formality. On the other hand, Americans tend to dress more casually every day. Teachers and senior citizens are highly revered in Chinese society due to the impact of Confucian society. In order to demonstrate respect, kids should act formally at school by, for example, standing while responding to inquiries. Some Chinese instructors pay close attention to this behavior; if the pupils do not stand up when responding to inquiries, the instructor will feel insulted (Zhou et al., 2022). Chinese folks observe their table etiquette at home as well. For example, the household cannot begin dining if the aged do not sit, and the younger members of the family are not permitted to engage in conversation while eating (Lee & Li, 2019). Daily communication also reflects Chinese decorum. There are several personal pronouns used in Chinese. In polite conversation, the Chinese should use “Nin” to address “you” to denote any courteous person and “Ni” to address those within the same age group. However, Americans are much more concerned with the equality of all people.

The importance of equality is seen in American homes, institutions, and daily interactions. American students perceive that teachers are their colleagues and instructors; hence they need not stand up while responding to inquiries as required. Since the host or hostess puts more work into making the food, they are revered at the table rather than the old (Talhelm & English, 2020). English does not employ pronouns, in contrast to Chinese, giving Americans a much more informal style of communicating with others. Regarding Chinese American decorum, there is no good or bad. Similar to the variations in eating customs involving the two nations, everything comes down to cultural variances.

In summary, there are an ideological, formality, and dietary disparities between the USA and China. The most Chinese folks are collectivist, incredibly respectful of instructors and the aged, and have a regular eating routine. However, Americans value autonomy, recognize the equality of all individuals and possess a variety of dietary habits. It is crucial to remember that these discrepancies result from the two nations’ distinct historical and cultural origins, and there ought to be no wrong or right regarding other civilizations.

Johnson, D., Nathan, A. J., & Rawski, E. S. (2022). Popular Culture in Late Imperial China. In Google Books . Univ of California Press. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=crFeEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=Differences+Between+American+and+Chinese+Cultures&ots=egG8MXi3np&sig=TO4ewlLA–HNfnmHNZR63aSNRZQ

Keightley, D. N. (2022). The Origins of Chinese Civilization. In Google Books . Univ of California Press. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=GK1hEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR10&dq=chinese+culture&ots=sJLB7TJJzj&sig=CPMdpyf3Px4qQpiJv136p_qUXrg

Lee, J. F. K., & Li, X. (2019). Cultural representation in English language textbooks: a comparison of textbooks used in mainland China and Hong Kong. Pedagogy, Culture & Society , 28 (4), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681366.2019.1681495

Marsden, G. M. (2022). Fundamentalism and American Culture. In Google Books . Oxford University Press. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=jYZUEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=american+culture&ots=_IBBz7NKVi&sig=JKCdOfaXSdoQZk4Zi-GjxXw8Gvc

Zhou, J., Wang, H., & Zou, Z. (2022). Inverse Association between Dietary Diversity Score Calculated from the Diet Quality Questionnaire and Psychological Stress in Chinese Adults: A Prospective Study from China Health and Nutrition Survey. Nutrients , 14 (16), 3297. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14163297

Talhelm, T., & English, A. S. (2020). Historically rice-farming societies have tighter social norms in China and worldwide. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , 117 (33), 19816–19824. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1909909117

Cite This Work

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:

Related Essays

Personal ethics philosophy and principles, in diary of a madman and xiaoxiao on rural and modern china, comparing and contrasting “central park jogger case,” through media lenses, rio carnival 2020 – floats and dancers, brazilian carnival, the samba schools parade, the evolvement of united states government between 1877–1940, the impact of mixed media on young women news consumption habits, popular essay topics.

IMAGES

How To Write A Great Introduction Paragraph For An Essay
How To Write a Good Introduction to an Essay
How to Start a College Essay Like a Boss
Self-Introduction Essay
Student essays: Essay introduction paragraph example
How to Write an Essay Introduction (with Pictures)

VIDEO

Learn Russian: Good-bye
Developing the essay
How to Turn a Writing Topic into an Essay
Essay Topics 1
personal essay
Introduction to Essay One

COMMENTS

How to Write an Essay Introduction
In our Braille example, we take a few sentences to introduce the topic and sketch the social context that the essay will address: Example: Background information The writing system of raised dots used by blind and visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France.
How to Write an Introduction, With Examples
Introduction for an essay example While other kids' memories of circuses are happy and fun, what I recall most from my first time at a circus was feeling sorry for the animals—I can still remember the sadness in their eyes.
Top 20 Essay Introduction Examples
Here are some examples of funny essay introductions: 1) "Most people, when asked for help, do their best to avoid doing anything that will make them feel uncomfortable or inconvenient. However, one particular person named Barbara McFadden is entirely different from all other people.
Essay Introduction Examples
This example of a good essay introduction uses a slightly different strategy than the others. To hook the reader, it begins with an interesting anecdote related to the topic. That pulls us in, making us wonder what really happened to the Lutzs. Then, section two provides us with some background information about the topic to help us understand.
How To Write a Good Essay Introduction in 4 Simple Steps
Examples of good introductions Here are a few examples you can reference when writing your own introduction: Example 1: Hook using a question When writing a hook, you may decide to use a question to stimulate the audience's mind. Here's an example of a hook in the form of a question:
Strong Introduction Paragraph Examples
Try something like this creative introduction example: I hit the water with a slap that knocked the wind out of me. For a moment, I could hear my sister screaming from the deck of the ship, but then everything went quiet as my ears went under water. Engage the Reader With a Strong Introduction
Examples of Great Introductory Paragraphs
Here is an example of reversing expectations. The introductory paragraph is filled with doom and gloom. We feel sorry for the writer but are left wondering whether the article will be a classic sob story. It is in the second paragraph where we find out that it's quite the opposite.
Argumentative Essay
When preparing to compose a good argumentative essay, utilize the following steps: Step 1: Select a topic. Step 2: Identify a position. Step 3: Locate appropriate resources. Step 4: Identify evidence supporting the position. ( NOTE: If there is little evidence in support of the claim, consider re-examining the main argument.)
Essay Writing Introduction Paragraph?
The introductory paragraph of any paper, long or short, should start with a sentence that piques the interest of your readers. In a typical essay, that first
Essay 2016 05 03 000B1w
Chapter 1. Introduction. This chapter will provide the reader with a close view of the research area. Section 1.1 describes general guidelines for the thesis including overview about data mining and leukemia diseases, Then Section 1.2 the challenges of cancer classification research, followed by Section 1.3 that explains research problem, while Section 1.4 presents objectives of research ...
Introductions
If your friend is able to predict the rest of your paper accurately, you probably have a good introduction. Five kinds of less effective introductions 1. The placeholder introduction. When you don't have much to say on a given topic, it is easy to create this kind of introduction.
How To Write An Essay Introduction
Below is a perfect example of a persuasive essay introduction. Recycling waste material preserves the environment. Recycling programs are present throughout the country. They clean and process garbage and other waste materials to produce useful products. It contains the need to extract more resources from the planet.
How to write an essay: Introduction
Here is an example of the introduction to the question - Discuss how media can influence children. Use specific examples to support your view. Pathways and Academic Learning Support https://www.newcastle.edu.au/current-students/support/academic email: [email protected] << Previous: Essay structure Next: Body >>
How to Write a Great College Essay Introduction
Good example I wiped the sweat from my head and tried to catch my breath. I was nearly there—just one more back tuck and a strong dismount and I'd have nailed a perfect routine. Some students choose to write more broadly about themselves and use some sort of object or metaphor as the focus.
Top 10 Argumentative Essay Introduction Examples
Argumentative essay introduction example 1 Gambling, or gambling addiction, is a complex subject to understand. Some people often win, which may lead others to believe that they are lucky rather than skilled. Many people gamble to escape reality for a bit and have fun. Others gamble for the thrill of it because their lives are boring.
Introductions & Conclusions
Example: While no single action is going to reverse centuries of unregulated degradation to the atmosphere, something as minor as lessening societal reliance on plastic appears to be a reasonable first step toward progress. Broadening
Essay Introduction Examples
An essay introduction is the first part of an essay, which introduces the reader to what will follow in the main body of the essay. The introduction consists of three main parts: the hook , the ...
How to Write an Essay Introduction?
This is a good strategy, especially when writing a persuasive essay introduction about a personal topic. It will help you get your audience emotionally involved in the topic. For example, if you're writing an essay about foreign aid, you can describe the tragedy of undernourished children to evoke some emotions in your readers.
Introductions
An example introduction "A relevant and coherent beginning is perhaps your best single guarantee that the essay as a whole will achieve its object." Gordon Taylor, A Student's Writing Guide Your introduction is the first thing your marker will read and should be approximately 10% of your word count.
How to write an introduction to an essay
An introduction should give the reader a glimpse into your thoughts on the essay topic or question. You could briefly: introduce your main idea or key point. summarise your overall argument. give ...
How to Write a Good Introduction: Examples & Tips [2023 Upd.]
Here's a good introduction for a research paper example: Example: For many decades, the idea of wearing a school uniform has been a topic for heated discussions. It is common for students to wear distinctive clothes in schools, but by the time they reach adolescence, they tend to despise the enforcement of uniforms.
How to Write an Introduction for a Psychology Paper
Tips for Writing Your Psychology Paper Intro. Use 3x5 inch note cards to write down notes and sources. Look in professional psychology journals for examples of introductions. Remember to cite your sources. Maintain a working bibliography with all of the sources you might use in your final paper.
Differences Between American and Chinese Cultures
Introduction Contrasting cultures constitute the foundation of many facets of life, and whether variety leads to conflict or success frequently depends on the goals of the leaders of each country. As time goes on, ethnic clusters become more pronounced. In addition, the globalization of technology in our daily lives unifies and dissolves cultural borders.