how to write intro paragraph for essay

A good introduction paragraph is an essential part of any academic essay. It sets up your argument and tells the reader what to expect. The main goals of an introduction are to: Catch your reader’s attention. Give background on your topic. Present your thesis statement —the central point of your essay.

An introduction for an essay or research paper is the first paragraph, which explains the topic and prepares the reader for the rest… You have fifteen seconds or less to impress your reader. Here’s several tips and examples on how to hook them by writing a strong introduction.

Learn how to write an essay introduction that captures readers' attention and sets the stage for your argument or discussion. Discover tips and techniques on how to create a hook, provide a thesis statement, and outline the main points of your essay, ensuring the right start for your essay writing.

The introduction to an academic essay will generally present an analytical question or problem and then offer an answer to that question (the thesis). Your introduction is also your opportunity to explain to your readers what your essay is about and why they should be interested in reading it.

Each of these pieces of the intro plays a key role in acquainting the reader with the topic and purpose of your essay. Below, we’ll explain how to start an introduction paragraph by writing an effective hook, providing context, and crafting a thesis statement.

The INTRO method’s steps are: [I] Interest: Provide an opening sentence that shows why the topic is of interest to everyday human beings. [N] Notify: Notify the reader of background or contextual information. [T] Translate: Translate the essay topic or question by paraphrasing it. [R] Report: Report on your position or argument.