How to Write an Introduction
An introduction for an essay or research paper is the first paragraph, which explains the topic and prepares the reader for the rest of the work. Because it’s responsible for both the reader’s first impression and setting the stage for the rest of the work, the introduction paragraph is arguably the most important paragraph in the work.
Knowing how to write an introduction paragraph is a great skill, not just for writers, but for students and researchers as well. Here, we explain everything you need to know to write the best introduction, such as what to include and a step-by-step process, with some introduction paragraph examples.
Give your writing extra polish Grammarly helps you communicate confidently Write with Grammarly
What is an introduction?
Your introduction is a way of preparing your reader for your paper. As the first paragraph of your writing , it makes the first impression and sets the reader’s expectations for tone, voice, and writing style. More importantly, your introduction provides the necessary background for your reader to understand your paper’s purpose and key points.
The introduction is also a way to engage and captivate your reader. An interesting, thought-provoking, or generally entertaining introduction makes your reader excited to keep reading—and an eager reader is an attentive reader.
What to include in an introduction
Introductions generally follow the writing style of the author and the format for the type of paper—for example, opening with a joke is appropriate for some essays, but not research papers . However, no matter what your writing style is or what kind of paper you’re writing, a good introduction includes at least three parts:
- A hook to capture the reader’s attention
- Background for context
- A clearly defined thesis statement or main point of your paper
How to write a hook
The hook refers to anything that grabs (or “hooks”) your reader’s attention and makes them interested. This could be a mystery, such as posing a question and only answering it at the end of your paper. Or it could be a shocking statistic, something that makes your reader rethink what they thought they knew and become curious for more information.
Hooks can be even more creative. Some papers start with an analogy or parable to present complicated topics in a way that someone with little experience can understand. Likewise, many writers opt to use personal anecdotes to show a more human side and spark an emotional connection with the reader.
When all else fails, you can use a poignant quote. If you’re having trouble putting your thoughts into words, maybe one of the great minds from history has already said it well.
You can read all about how to write a hook here, including more detailed instructions and examples.
How to add background information
Not every paper requires background knowledge, but sometimes your reader needs to catch up or understand the context before you make your original points.
If you’re writing about something factual, such as a scientific or historical paper, you may need to provide a small lesson on the basics. For example, if you’re writing about the conflict between ancient Egypt and Nubia, you might want to establish the time period and where each party was located geographically.
Just don’t give too much away in the introduction. In general, introductions should be short. If your topic requires extensive background to understand, it’s best to dedicate a few paragraphs to this after the introduction.
How to write a thesis statement
Every good introduction needs a thesis statement , a sentence that plainly and concisely explains the main topic. Thesis statements are often just a brief summary of your entire paper, including your argument or point of view for personal essays. For example, if your paper is about whether viewing violent cartoons impacts real-life violence, your thesis statement could be:
Despite the rhetoric and finger-pointing, no evidence has connected live-action role-play violence with real-world violence, but there is plenty of evidence for exoneration, as I explain here.
Learning to write a good thesis statement is an essential writing skill, both in college and the world of work, so it’s worth taking the time to learn. The rule of thumb for thesis statements is not to give everything away all at once. Thesis statements, and more broadly introductions, should be short and to the point, so save the details for the rest of the paper.
How to write an introduction paragraph in 6 steps
1 decide on the overall tone and formality of your paper.
Often what you’re writing determines the style: The guidelines for how to write an introduction for a report are different from those for how to write an English essay introduction. Even the different types of essays have their own limitations; for example, slang might be acceptable for a personal essay, but not a serious argumentative essay.
Don’t force yourself to write in a style that’s uncomfortable to you. If you’re not good at making jokes, you don’t need to. As long as your writing is interesting and your points are clear, your readers won’t mind.
2 Write your thesis statement
At the beginning of writing a paper, even before writing the research paper outline , you should know what your thesis is. If you haven’t already, now is the time to put that thesis into words by writing your thesis statement.
Thesis statements are just one sentence, but they are usually the most important sentence in your entire work. When your thesis is clearly defined, your readers will often use it as an anchor to understand the rest of the writing.
The key to writing a good thesis statement is knowing what to ignore. Your thesis statement should be an overview, not an outline. Save the details, evidence, and personal opinions for the body of the paper.
If you’re still having trouble, ask yourself how you’d explain this topic to a child. When you’re forced to use small words and simplify complex ideas, your writing comes across more clearly and is easier to understand. This technique also helps you know which details are necessary up front and which can wait until later .
3 Consider what background information your reader needs
Don’t take your own experience for granted. By this point in the writing process , you’ve probably already finished your research, which means you’re somewhat of an expert on the topic. Think back to what it was like before you learned: What did you wish you had known then?
Even if your topic is abstract, such as an ethical debate, consider including some context on the debate itself. How long has the ethical debate been happening? Was there a specific event that started it? Information like this can help set the scene so your reader doesn’t feel like they’re missing something.
4 Think of a good hook
Writing a hook can be the most difficult part of writing an introduction because it calls for some creativity. While the rest of your paper might be presenting fact after fact, the hook in your introduction often requires creating something from nothing.
Luckily, there are already plenty of tried-and-true strategies for how to start an essay . If you’re not feeling very creative, you can use a method that’s already been proven effective.
Just remember that the best hooks create an emotional connection—which emotion is up to you and your topic.
5 Write a rough draft of your introduction without pressure
It’s normal to clam up when writing a rough draft of your introduction. After all, the introduction always comes first, so it’s the first thing you write when you finally begin.
As explained in our guide to writing a rough draft , the best advice is not to pressure yourself. It’s OK to write something that’s messy—that’s what makes this draft rough . The idea here is to get words on paper that make your point. They don’t have to be the perfect words; that’s what revisions are for.
At the beginning, just worry about saying what needs to be said. Get down your hook and thesis statement, and background information if necessary, without worrying about how it sounds. You’ll be able to fix the problems later.
6 Revise your introduction after you’ve written your whole paper.
We recommend finishing the first draft of your entire paper before revising the introduction. You may make some changes in your paper’s structure when writing the first draft, and those changes should be reflected in the introduction.
After the first draft, it’s easier to focus on minutiae like word choice and sentence structure, not to mention finding spelling and grammar mistakes.
Introduction for an essay example
While other kids’ memories of circuses are happy and fun, what I recall most from my first time at a circus was feeling sorry for the animals—I can still remember the sadness in their eyes. [HOOK] Although animal rights in the circus have come a long way, their treatment of animals even under the new laws is still cruelty plain and simple. [BACKGROUND] The way circuses abuse animals needs to be abolished immediately, and we need to entirely rethink the way we use animals for entertainment. [THESIS STATEMENT]
Introduction for a research paper example
What would happen to humanity if everyone just stopped having babies? [HOOK] Although more endemic in some places than others, the global decline in birth rates has become a major issue since the end of the pandemic. [BACKGROUND] My research here shows not only that birth rates are declining all over the world, but also that unless the threats are addressed, these drastic declines will only get worse. [THESIS STATEMENT]
Introduction FAQs
An introduction is the first paragraph in an essay or research paper. It prepares the reader for what follows.
What’s the purpose of an introduction?
The goal of the introduction is to both provide the necessary context for the topic so the reader can follow along and also create an emotional connection so the reader wants to keep reading.
What should an introduction include?
An introduction should include three things: a hook to interest the reader, some background on the topic so the reader can understand it, and a thesis statement that clearly and quickly summarizes your main point.
- AI Content Shield
- AI KW Research
- AI Assistant
- SEO Optimizer
- AI KW Clustering
- Customer reviews
- The NLO Revolution
- Press Center
- Help Center
- Content Resources
- Facebook Group
Introduction Paragraphs for Essay: an Effective Guide
Table of Contents
Every student should be aware of the purpose of the introduction paragraph of an essay. The introduction successfully sets the pace for the essay paper. Most essays contain only one introduction paragraph to convey the prime idea of the paper.
But can an essay introduction be 2 paragraphs ? This guide explores if an essay can contain multiple introduction paragraphs and the factors that determine the length of an introductory paragraph.
Why Is an Introduction Paragraph Important?
The opening lines of an essay are arguably the most crucial. An introduction paragraph outlines the focus and purpose of the essay . It also sets the framework for the entire piece, both in broad and specific detail.
The introduction should focus on the central issue or question being explored by the essay. They play a role in entrusting the reader and setting the tone in the reader’s mind.
The introduction is the jumping-off point for everything after it. It should also be clear and direct, so the main point isn’t lost in the beginning.
What Is a Good Introduction Paragraph?
An introduction is typically the first paragraph of your essay. It sets the tone for the rest of your essay and makes the reader decide whether or not to continue reading. A strong introduction accomplishes two things:
- Captures the reader’s interest. A reader’s attention can be grabbed by using stories, statistics, strange or intriguing observations, notable quotes, and other techniques. So, think of a unique viewpoint to draw people into your essay.
- Provide a clear and contentious thesis statement. The thesis statement is typically one phrase long. But if the essay you’re writing is lengthy, it may be longer. A strong thesis statement makes an arguable claim, which may be disputed and argued against. It also acts as a guide for the arguments you make throughout your paper.
Can an Essay Introduction Be 2 Paragraphs?
The plain answer is yes! But it primarily depends on your essay’s type, intricacy, and length. The complexity of the essay paper should be reflected in the paragraph’s length.
For instance, if your essay is short, you can just have one introductory paragraph. However, a more complicated essay may have more than one introduction paragraph if you elaborate on the topic.
Optimal Length of Introduction Paragraphs
The length of introductions varies and will depend on the type of content you write. Here are some common types of writing and their optimal length of introduction paragraphs.
Short Essay Writing
When writing a short essay, you should be careful about providing background information.
For instance, it may be fine to keep a one-paragraph opening if you are writing a five-paragraph essay. It allows you to elaborate on the topic in the body paragraphs to cover all angles.
Long Essay Writing
A long essay may even exceed 20 pages. This implies that you will be covering a broad subject.
In this case, it would be a great idea to pique the reader’s curiosity by providing extra information in the introduction. You might want to have more than one introduction paragraph for a better context.
Thesis or Dissertation Writing
It’s common for readers to respond in short paragraphs. If your thesis or dissertation is thousands of words, you can make as many paragraphs as needed.
If your goal is to pique the reader’s interest in the opening, you should use several introduction paragraphs to establish your point better.
Research Paper Writing
Here, an introduction might be short or lengthy, depending on how the author wishes to convey the main point.
A paragraph is not subject to any rules. Some people prefer to use up to 150 words for the research paper introduction. But you can choose to break it up into smaller paragraphs to make it easier to read.
Factors That Determine the Length of an Introduction Paragraph
There are different factors to determine the length of an introduction paragraph. Whether your introduction paragraph should be long or short depends on the following components:
Type of Hook Used to Grab Attention
Sometimes you need to have the ability to grab the reader’s attention and keep them interested throughout your essay. Using a hook is one of the best methods to start an essay and grab the reader’s interest.
The length of an essay’s opening depends on the type of hook used. The hook may be short or lengthy, depending on the writer’s preference.
Typically, a hook should explain the issue in question, and the strategy used to convey the message should be clear.
The Complexity of the Topic
Essays could be simple or complex based on the topic. A short introduction paragraph works well for simpler topics.
However, handling a complicated topic could necessitate multiple introduction paragraphs. It gives the reader a better idea of what is to come.
Context of the Topic
Context means additional information you employ to highlight the specific emphasis of your paper. It will be effective if it helps the reader understand what you will discuss in the essay.
To give appropriate context to the topic of your essay, you can choose to have a lengthy introduction paragraph. Also, you can split the idea into multiple introductory paragraphs for improved readability.
Type of Paper You’re Writing
The introductions to different papers might be of varying lengths. For instance, you cannot expect the beginning of a two-paragraph essay to be the same as that of a fifteen-page research paper. You must strike a balance between the introduction’s word count and the overall length of your work.
So, can an essay introduction be 2 paragraphs ? — It definitely can, but it depends on the type and length of your paper. Numerous factors go into determining the length of an introduction paragraph. It includes the degree of your hook, the complexity of the topic, the context, and the type of paper you are writing. The introduction paragraph heightens curiosity, relieves confusion, and sets the stage for the rest of the paper.
Abir Ghenaiet
Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.
Explore All Essay Intro Generator Articles
The different ways to start a comparative essay.
Some writers intend to compare two specific things or ideas through their articles. They write these essays to compare and…
- Essay Intro Generator
Know The Best Way to Start an Expository Essay
Are you into writing essays that tackle a still-unknown fact? Do you know how to write an expository essay? Before…
Writing an Opinion Essay? Read This First!
Students are required to express their opinions on a topic in an opinion essay. Pertinent illustrations and explanations support their…
Identifying the Best Transitions to Start an Essay
A typical academic assignment is the essay, which must meet certain requirements in order to be written properly. Even students…
How to Write Introductions for Synthesis Essays
One of the most exciting assignments you could have is writing a synthesis essay. For a college or university student,…
How to Write Introductions for Music Essays
Music is food for the soul, or so they say. A music essay analyzes or describes a piece of music,…