How to write a good essay introduction
Quick answer
A strong introduction has three parts: a hook that makes the reader curious, a little context so they understand the topic, and a clear thesis statement, usually the last sentence, that says exactly what your essay will argue.
Your introduction has one job: convince the reader that the rest of the essay is worth reading, and tell them what it will prove.
The three parts
1. The hook. Open with something specific: a surprising fact, a short story, a sharp question or a bold claim.
2. The context. In two or three sentences, give the background the reader needs: who, what, when, or why the topic matters.
3. The thesis. End with one clear sentence stating your main argument. Every paragraph that follows should support it.
An example
In 1912, the Titanic carried lifeboats for barely half the people on board, and it was fully legal. British safety rules at the time were based on a ship’s weight, not its passenger count, and hadn’t been updated for the era of giant liners. The disaster was caused as much by outdated regulations as by the iceberg, and it changed maritime safety law around the world.
Hook (the lifeboat fact), context (the rules), thesis (outdated regulations were a key cause).
How long should an introduction be?
A common guideline is about 10% of the essay. For a 1,000-word essay, that’s roughly one paragraph of 80 to 120 words. Longer essays may use two paragraphs, but rarely more.
Mistakes to avoid
| Avoid | Why |
|---|---|
| “Since the dawn of time…” | Too broad; says nothing |
| Dictionary definitions | Rarely interesting, and readers already know the word |
| “In this essay I will…” | Usually weaker than simply stating your argument |
| Announcing every point in detail | Save the evidence for the body paragraphs |
| A vague thesis | “There are many causes” doesn’t give the reader a position to follow |
Struggling with a particular word in your essay? See what know-how means and how to use it.
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