How to write an introduction paragraph. There are many points to consider when writing an essay and it is important to do each on properly and carefully. This will ensure a well written and easy to read finished piece of writing. One such important aspect of essay writing is the introduction paragraph and in this article, we are going to be looking at what an introduction paragraph is, what it should include and how to write one. We will then take a look at some examples of introduction paragraphs to give us a clearer idea of what they should look like.
What Is An Introduction Paragraph?
When writing an essay, an introduction paragraph is one which is used to introduce the topic of the essay as well and will give the reader a clear idea of what the author’s opinion on the topic is. A good introduction paragraph will entice the reader and get them engaged in what is being written about. There are three key elements to the introduction paragraph, as follows:
- An introduction to the point of the essay
- A hook to engage the reader
- A thesis statement
How To Write An Introduction Paragraph
Now that we fully understand what an introduction paragraph is used for, we are ready to begin writing one of our own. As with all aspects of an essay, it is very important that you take your time when writing your introduction paragraph and ensure that you have researched and understood the topic fully.
Write A Hook
A hook is a way of grabbing the attention of the reader and drawing them in, making them want to read more. This sentence will set the tone for the entire essay and so should be well thought out. It should not include long, wordy sentences but should be clear and fun. That being said, it should be relevant to the essay topic. You might consider using one of the following for your hook:
- A question
- An anecdote
- A statistic
- A quote
You should avoid things that might come across as clichéd or overly general such as a dictionary definition or claims which use words such as ‘always’ or ‘everyone.’
Lay Out The Topic
You are now ready to detail any information that the audience needs to know in order to understand the argument you are about to present. The topic of your essay will highly depend on what information you give but you might include one or any of the following:
- Geographical, social or historical context
- A definition of an unusual phrase or term
- A brief summary of studies or research on the topic
It is important not to go into too much detail at this stage as this will be done later on in the body of the essay. For now, you are simply introducing your reader to the topic.
A thesis statement is used for three purposes: to inform the reader of your stance on the topic, to detail what the essay is going to be about and to show the main point of the essay. It should be made up of one or two sentences and be written in a clear and concise manner.
Examples Of Introduction Paragraphs
Let’s now take a look at two examples of well written introduction paragraphs as a way of gaining a further understanding of what they should look like. The first example is taken from Mary Ziegler’s How to catch a river crab.
As someone who has always been a crabber (meaning someone who catches crabs, not someone who complains a lot), I can say with confidence that any person with patience as well as a huge love for the river automatically qualifies to become a crabber. That being said, if you wish you 1st crabbing experience to be successful, you have to come prepared.
Our next example is a passage taken from My Trans-oceanic midlife crisis written by Roz Savage.
In the March of 2006 I found mysefl at the age of 38 being divorced with no children, no home and completely alone on a small rowing boat on the Atlantic ocean. I had not had a hot dinner in 2 months. I hadn’t had any contact with humans for weeks due to the fact the satellite phone wasn’t working. All of the oars had broken, and had been patched with duct tape and splints. I had got tendinitis of the shoulder as well as sores on my backside. I could not have been any more ha