🐰E1: The Essay Introduction
The Introduction part of an Essay
Your introductory paragraph, or, introduction, is the first paragraph of your essay.
A successful introduction will catch the readers' interest and draw them into your essay.
An introduction must focus the readers' attention to the topic and invite readers to learn about it.
Your introduction will make your subject clear and give the reader an indication of your feeling and attitude about the subject.
The introduction will contain a thesis statement.
A complete, well developed introduction must include several sentences. (Note: Several = more than three.)
A good lead-in will draw your reader into your introduction. Asking questions or using the "Webster defines" or "the dictionary defines" tropes are never good lead-ins and will result in a noticeable point penalty.
The introduction will provide background information necessary for understanding the essay and its purpose.
Extend your learning: https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/beginning-academic-essay Links to an external site.
Challenge your creativity when writing your introduction and, in particular, your lead-in.
There is a module section ahead on [never] asking questions in your writing. But it is important to emphasize here as well. You may have been taught to ask a question in your intro. Or, you searched for introduction hints on the internet and found this as a suggestion. The problem is that a question is empty and vague -- and risky.
When you ask a question you risk losing or alienating your reader. If the reader starts thinking of a completely different answer then where you are going now the rest of your introduction must do double-duty. You have to try to grab the reader's attention a second time and you have to draw the reader in. So instead of asking your readers where they want to go, put them on a map and lead them into your essay.
Some interesting ways to approach your introduction:
- Include a relevant anecdote.
- Use a quotation or proverb that relates to your topic (but avoid clichés).
- Start with a bold statement that you will support or contradict.
- Be creative.
- If you have an idea that you aren't sure about, post it in the discussions and we can workshop it.