An essay introduction is simply the first paragraph of any type of essay. It establishes your point of view and informs the reader of what to expect. An introduction’s key objectives are to:

Step 1: Hook sentence

The hook sentence is literally first sentence of your introduction. Hook is where you grab the reader’s attention.

So you should spend some time creating an effective hook, for it sets the pace for the whole essay. The hook should draw the reader into your academic essay by conveying an understanding of the topic you’re writing about and why it’s fascinating.

Five types of hooks

There are many types of hooks, so it’s up to you which one seems the best for your introduction.

A good place to start is by claiming that something your readers think is false.

A common misconception hook example

Introduction

Not all religions teach the existence of a deity or gods in the Western context. For example, there is no creator god in Buddhism or Jainism, and Unitarian Universalism has no creed at all. A common misconception hook example
....(introduction continues)

Mathematical statistics can be an excellent hook for persuasive essays and serious subjects involving numerical analysis.

Statistics hook example

Introduction

According to a new survey, people who are happy with their work-life balance work 21% more and are 33% more inclined to keep working with the same company. Statistics hook example
....(introduction continues)

Personal stories will sometimes work as a hook, but only if they can be condensed into a few sentences (for example, in narrative essays).

Personal story hook example

Introduction

When I first started working from home, I learned how important it is to have a healthy work-life balance, and I saw firsthand how beneficial it could be. Personal story hook example
....(introduction continues)

This sort of hook necessitates the reader to imagine what you’re writing about. When used in descriptive and narrative essays, it works well.

Scenes hook example

Introduction

Try to imagine how working or studying from home could give you as much free time as you want, allowing you to spend more time with your loved ones. Scenes hook example
....(introduction continues)

Some writers begin by simply stating their thesis statement. The biggest trick here is that there isn’t one at all.

Thesis statement hook example

Introduction

Increased globalization, the loss of industrial jobs, and the Syrian refugee crisis have contributed to the emergence of populism in the 2016 political arena. Thesis statement hook example
....(introduction continues)

Step 2: Background information

Next, provide your reader with the background information because they need to comprehend your subject and argument.

Background information usually comes after the first sentence, which is hook. This section should provide broad information that is specifically focused and important to your argument.

Background/context example with APA reference

Introduction

Cancer due to smoking is undoubtedly one of the most common causes of death. It is now a common sense among people that smoking is extremely harmful for lungs. According to Taylor et al. (2018), the most common root cause of death due to lung cancer is still smoking and extreme exposure to cigarette smoke Background information/context provided
....(introduction continues)

Pro tip

Don’t go through too much detail—you might list things you’ll come back to later but save the facts and analysis for the essay’s main body.

Step 3: Thesis statement

Now is the time to center your attention and demonstrate just what you want to say about the subject.

This is your thesis statement, which is a sentence or two that summarizes your main point. It’s usually the last sentence of your introduction.

Thesis statement examples

Thesis statement example

Introduction

....(introduction starts)
....(introduction continues)
....(introduction continues)
Magazines have made strides in the past years to include a more diverse group of models, but there is also a long way to go in terms of collectively promoting a positive body image for women. Thesis statement, which is usually the last sentence of your introduction

Thesis statement example 2

Introduction

....(introduction starts)
....(introduction continues)
....(introduction continues)
Euthanasia should be legalized, and doctors should be able to provide their patients with the end-of-life treatment they need. Thesis statement, which is usually the last sentence of your introduction

Thesis statement example 3

Introduction

....(introduction starts)
....(introduction continues)
....(introduction continues)
In an office environment, having a diverse community of people leads to more rich ideas, more teamwork, and more understanding between people of different skin colors or backgrounds. Thesis statement, which is usually the last sentence of your introduction

Step 4: Essay Introduction examples

Narrative essay introduction example

My father helped me prepare for school one day when I was thirteen. In the kitchen, we had breakfast together. Hook: Personal story as a hook. He inquired as to if I had brushed my teeth. He took me to the bus stop and wished me a nice day. Context: Background information. It was an ordinary morning, which is what bothers me the most because I never saw him again. Thesis Statement: State your central argument and position

Analytical essay introduction example

According to the meta-analysis statistic, mobile phones are one of the most commonly used gadgets. Hook: Statistics as a hook. The question of whether mobile phones are unsafe has sparked a debate. Some scholars favor, while others oppose, the use of mobile phones in daily practices because of the advantages they provide, especially in today’s environment. Context: Background information. Mobile phones, in my experience, are risky, and there have been studies and incidents identified as a result of cell phone use that include distracted driving, social isolation, and health issues. Thesis Statement: State your central argument and position

Persuasive essay introduction example

I’ve never been one to exercise in the past. Hook: A personal story as a hook. To be honest, I didn’t care for it, but many of my friends insisted on telling me how great it was every day. I wanted to go to the gym because the social pressure was getting to me Context: Background information. It wasn’t until then that I realized what people meant when they said fitness helps them get organized and maintain a stable physical and mental state. Thesis Statement: State your central argument and position

Key takeaways

Let’s quickly go through the main takeaways of what you should and shouldn’t do while writing your introduction now that you know how to start a decent introduction and have examined some simple introduction examples.

How long should my introduction be?

In general, there are no strict guidelines when it comes to the length of an introduction paragraph. The lengths of introductions are normally formed with the average length of the essay in mind by experienced essay writers.

Important

While there are no clear rules, skilled writers recommend that your introductory paragraph(s) account for 8% or 9% of your essay’s overall word count.

What are the requirements of a good introduction?

When writing a strong introductory paragraph, you need to:

Introduction best practices

Things to avoid in introduction

Ibrahim Akturk

Content editor at Tamara Research. Translation major, huge coffee and baking nerd. Addicted to good music and great articles.

How to write an essay introduction

Step 1: Hook sentence

Five types of hooks

A common misconception hook

A common misconception hook example

Statistics hook

Statistics hook example

Personal story hook

Personal story hook example

Scenes hook

Scenes hook example

Thesis statement hook

Thesis statement hook example

Step 2: Background information

Background/context example with APA reference

Pro tip

Step 3: Thesis statement

Thesis statement examples

Thesis statement example

Thesis statement example 2

Thesis statement example 3

Step 4: Essay Introduction examples

Key takeaways

How long should my introduction be?

Important

What are the requirements of a good introduction?

Introduction best practices

Things to avoid in introduction

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