The Introduction of an Essay: Steps, Parts, and Examples

The introduction of an essay can seem like an intimidating part of the essay writing process, especially if you’re unaccustomed to academic essays.

However, this section doesn’t have to be difficult or feel overwhelming—if you keep in mind the key elements of an effective introduction, you’ll be able to craft a great introductory paragraph that will captivate your audience and keep them reading until the end of your essay.

What is the introduction of an essay?

The introduction of an essay can help readers decide whether they want to read more of your essay.

It should answer two questions: What are you going to talk about? and Why should I care about what you’re going to say? If it does so effectively, readers are more likely to want to read more.

A good introduction offers enough information to inform readers of your topic without giving away too much information. Introductions typically include hooks, anecdotes or examples, and references from outside sources.

What to put in the introduction of an essay ?

You should include a hook that captures your reader’s attention and gives them a reason to read more.

You can also use an anecdote or example, as these can be interesting and lead readers into your essay.

Finally, if you plan on referencing outside sources, you can use these references in your introduction—in fact, referencing outside sources is usually considered a strong move in an essay introduction because it shows that you’ve done research before beginning writing.

When used correctly, the introduction of an essay can draw readers in and set up your topic for a successful body paragraph.

How to start the introduction of an essay

No matter what kind of essay you’re writing, the first step is always the same: introduce your topic.

In order to do this effectively, you need to grab your reader’s attention and make them want to keep reading.

You can do this by providing background information, using a striking statistic or quote, or asking a rhetorical question. Once you have their attention, it’s time to start talking about your main point.

Introduce any necessary definitions, define any important terms, and/or outline your thesis statement.

It’s important that you also provide at least one piece of evidence that supports your thesis statement in the introduction so readers know what they are going to read in detail throughout the rest of the essay.

How long should the introduction of an essay be ?

There is no exact answer for how long your introduction should be, but keep in mind that shorter paragraphs usually give a stronger impression than longer ones. Shorter introductions of three to five sentences are generally considered strong openings and are easier for readers to digest.

Longer introductions may lose some readers who don’t have time to read a long opening; some professors even believe that long introductions are boring.

That being said, if you choose to write a long introduction then try using subheadings to break up the text into smaller sections and make it more readable.

How to end the introduction of an essay?

Once you have captured your reader’s attention and introduced your topic, it’s time to end your introduction.

To do this, you might ask another rhetorical question, offer one last thought about your topic, or simply summarize what you’ve just written. At the very least, though, you’ll want to reiterate why your readers should care about what you’ve written.

Ideally, your conclusion will leave them eager to learn more and interested in the next steps of your argument.

What are the 3 parts of an essay introduction?

Part 1: Hook

This is your opening sentence or a few sentences, which grab the reader’s attention and make them want to read more.

An effective way to do this is with a statistic, quotation, or reference to something happening right now.

You can also use an anecdote or example, as these can be interesting and lead readers into your essay. Another option is to frame your hook as a question.

For example, Is college worth the cost? This will immediately get your reader thinking about his or her own experiences and opinions.

Essay hooks examples

Essay hooks about love

• I think that love is complicated and that the idea of true love can be interpreted differently.
• People view love as either a feeling or an action. This means that you can feel love, but you can also show someone else you love them through action.
• I would argue that the concept of true love exists in a variety of forms, and not just in romantic relationships.
• “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” This quote is often attributed to William Shakespeare and suggests that love is a powerful emotion that can be good or bad.
• If you have ever been in love, you know that those three words can change your life forever.

Essay hooks about social media

• Studies show that kids and teens spend a lot of time on social media, like Facebook and Instagram.
• While social media is a great place to stay connected with friends, we can’t forget the negative aspects of the site, such as cyberbullying or the pressure to look perfect.
• Studies show that when people go on social media sites like Facebook and Instagram, they post pictures of themselves that make them look better than they really are.
• The phenomenon, known as the selfie bias, has led to the growing popularity of plastic surgery.

Essay hooks about family

• It is important for families to stay close so they can share their experiences with one another and help each other out when needed.
• Sharing your family’s history and culture can be a great way to teach your children about where they come from.
• Doing things together as a family, like having dinner together or going to church, is an excellent way to strengthen your bonds.
• Family values are the values that are passed down through generations and are an integral part of who you are. These values can include religion, politics, food preferences, etc.
• Family traditions don’t need to be big events-they could be as simple as baking cookies together on Sunday afternoons.

Essay hooks about feminism

• Feminism is a movement that has been going on for hundreds of years.
• Feminism can be thought of as both a belief and a type of equality.
• There are many different types of feminism, but they all focus on giving women more rights than they currently have.
• While many people think that feminism is outdated, some believe that there are still issues with gender equality in society today.
• According to the Human Rights Campaign, 23% of working women and 16% of men experience sexual harassment at work.
• Sexual assault is a serious issue, and according to RAINN, 19% of college students report being sexually assaulted.

Essay hooks about identity

• Everybody has a unique identity, and it’s important to know what that is.
• Identity is about knowing yourself and being confident in your beliefs.
• “We know what we are, but not what we may be.” This quote by Hamlet emphasizes how our identities are constantly changing and developing throughout our lives.
• We must be careful not to let others dictate who we should be because this will limit us from being our authentic selves.
• We should never compare ourselves to others because nobody knows exactly what they want or how they want to live their lives until they figure it out for themselves!

Essay hooks about music

• In a simple sentence, Music is an art that appeals both to our emotions and our intellect. It can be used as a way to express ourselves, as well as entertain others.
• Music has always played a large role in my life; I learned to play the piano when I was seven and continued playing throughout high school.
• When I am stressed, sad, or happy, listening to music helps me feel better. For example, if I’m feeling frustrated because I haven’t found a job yet, hearing happy songs like Don’t Stop Believin’ can help me see the brighter side of life again.
• Elvis Presley said Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, and flight to the imagination.
• When I listen to the same song as someone else, it feels as though we are sharing a special moment together. We are no longer just two strangers, but two individuals united by our love of the same thing.

Essay hooks for Romeo and Juliet

• Romeo and Juliet is a classic tale of forbidden love that took place in the city of Verona. It is told from the perspective of Romeo, and we learn about his struggles as he falls for Juliet.
• Shakespeare does an excellent job of illustrating the dangers of a star-crossed relationship in this tragic story.
• It would be interesting to look at Romeo and Juliet from a modern-day perspective since technology and social media are an essential part of our everyday lives now.
• “My bounty is as boundless as the sea” This quote from Sonnet 18, in which the speaker is declaring his infinite love for the person addressed, highlights one of the benefits of open relationships.
• I offer myself as a sacrifice This line from Sonnet 43, in which the speaker says that they are willing to give up everything they have in order to be with their beloved, speaks to the idea that we are willing to make sacrifices for those we care about.

Essay hooks about happiness

• Who hasn’t wanted to be happy?
• No matter what they do, people always want to find a sense of happiness. This happiness can come in many forms, such as happiness in love, success, family, and friends.
• Happiness is often the goal for many of us, but we don’t always know where to find it. Sometimes, we think that we are going to be happy once we get that new car, or get a promotion.
• Sometimes, the search for happiness is a vicious cycle in which we keep chasing what makes us feel good in the short term without looking ahead to what might truly make us happy. This type of behavior might even lead to addiction and other problems.
• Research has shown that true joy comes from positive activities done with other people, not material things.

Good essay hooks about war

• There are countless examples of different types of wars, including World War II, the Vietnam War, and the American Civil War.
• One notable battle in World War II is the Battle of Midway.
• One battle that shows how war affects all aspects of society is the Battle of Gettysburg. That battle took place in July 1863 and saw Union forces defeat Confederate troops.
• “Only the dead have seen the end of the war.”
•  Wars are a never-ending cycle in which violence begets more violence.

Racism essay hooks

•  Racism is everywhere in America today.
• In her book White Rage, Carol Anderson defines racism as the political mobilization of white racial sentiments, fears, and resentments to maintain control over blacks.
• When Obama was president there were some who felt threatened by his presidency because they did not believe that someone who looked like him should hold power over them. They used racism as a way to regain some sense of power.
• Recently, there has been a resurgence of racism as Americans become more politically polarized.
• If we want to live in a better world, we need to stop being racist and accept everyone for who they are.

Macbeth essay hooks

• One of the most famous scenes in Macbeth is Act III, Scene 1. This scene is called The Murder of Duncan.
• Macbeth is one of the main characters in the play and the leader of Scotland. He is the protagonist of the play, and we see his descent into madness as he commits more and more murders.
• “By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.”
• Macbeth’s wife, Lady Macbeth, convinces him to kill King Duncan in order to advance their own position. After the murder takes place, Macbeth’s guilt manifests itself in physical symptoms such as hallucinations and sleeplessness.

Scholarship essay hooks

• Scholarships are a great way for students to pay for college.
• Finding a scholarship is much easier than many people think, but it requires effort and persistence.
• Scholarships provide students with funds they can use towards their education.
• Some scholarships require a high GPA, while others focus on extracurricular activities or personal qualities.

Part 2: Context

This part of the essay introduction may include an overview of the topic and background information.

It can also be used to introduce the author of the essay.

The key point is to give a preview of what will be discussed in the body of the essay.

For example, you could discuss what led you to write about your topic, introduce your voice and writing style, mention any sources that you consulted for research purposes, or explain why it is important for people to read your essay.

It is important to be concise when writing a preview so that readers understand why they should continue reading.

Part 3:  Thesis statement

You are probably asking yourself: What is a thesis statement in an essay?

To put it simply, a thesis is a point you are trying to prove. where do I put my thesis?

A thesis statement is typically located at the end of the introductory paragraph.

This is the last sentence before the first paragraph of your essay.

The purpose of a thesis statement is to state your opinion and make a claim about your subject.

How long should a thesis statement be ?

Typically, a thesis should not be longer than 2-3 sentences.

There is no set limit, however, and the length of your thesis statement depends on the length of your essay.

Longer essays usually have a thesis statement that is a few paragraphs long.

However, in general, the shorter your essay is, the shorter your thesis statement should be.

How to write a thesis statement?

There are different approaches you can take when writing a thesis statement.

You can present your thesis as a question, you can present it as a statement, you can list your reasons for agreeing with the thesis, or you can pose the opposite of your thesis.

Let’s take a look at how these approaches might work in an essay:

• Presenting the thesis as a question: Why is sexism alive and well in America?
• Presenting the thesis as a statement: Sexism is alive and well in America. Not only does it exist in our language, which still has discriminatory terms like pussy, bitch, and man up – but also in our institutions.
• Listing your reasons for agreeing with the thesis: Sexism exists all around us. Language continues to perpetuate discrimination by having words like bitch, pussy, and man up. But just because there are these negative aspects of sexism around us doesn’t mean that everything is lost. While change may be slow, small changes can make huge impacts.
• You can also pose an opposite thesis. For example, if you are writing about how racism is alive and well in America, your thesis statement could be While there is still racism in our country, it has been reduced significantly.

Argumentative essay thesis statement example

The thesis statement for an argumentative essay must describe the issue that you are debating and must start out with either a strong statement for example Sexism is wrong. Here are more example thesis statements for an argumentative essay :

• Aspiring teachers need to know the right steps in order to get hired.
•  Before even applying for a teaching position, aspiring teachers need a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university program.
• Marijuana legalization is a necessary step towards progress.4) People who support marijuana legalization believe that it is time to break down this barrier and reform laws that prohibit something that could offer relief to those suffering from various ailments.

Example essay introduction paragraph University

Here is an example of a good university essay introduction to the legalization of marijuana:

In recent years, the debate over legalizing marijuana has become prominent in American society. With many states already permitting the use of medicinal marijuana, and two states now legalizing recreational use for adults over 21 years old, it seems as though public sentiment is shifting away from viewing cannabis as a dangerous drug and towards seeing it as a potentially beneficial medicine. However, some remain opposed to its legalization due to concerns about increased health risks or moral objections. Given the conflicting opinions, we must ask ourselves: Is it worth taking the risk to legalize a substance that is currently prohibited? If so, what are the benefits? And what needs to happen first before going forward with legalization?