Do you often dread writing an introduction? You spend hours looking at your cursor, waiting for the magic words to happen but are still unable to churn out a single word on the blank page. You are not the only one! Many of us are often plagued by the thought of writing an effective introduction.
So, what is all this fuss about an introduction? Why can’t we just dive straight into the essay?
Well, an introduction is the first impression of your essay. It introduces your readers to what to expect from your paper and draws your reader’s attention.
If you are wondering how to write a strong introduction to ace your essay writing skills, this article is just for you.
Let us dig into the topic.
What is an Introduction?
An introduction is the opening paragraph and is an integral part of essay writing. It is the roadmap to your essay and informs the reader about the key points and purpose of the paper.
Writing an interesting and thought-provoking introduction is very important as it engages the reader to read the rest of the essay.
8 Top Points to Write an Effective Introduction
Here are the top points to consider while writing an introduction:
Hook the Reader
The first sentence of the essay, an academic paper, or any other literary work is called the “hook.” The hook as the name indicates should be catchy and clear enough to spark interest in the readers. A hook can be a question to the readers where you are inviting them to directly engage with you.
Another way to kickstart your essay is to borrow a quote from a well-known writer. Remember the quote must be relevant to your essay topic. A quotation can do wonders with any kind of essay. You can also add an anecdote or an amusing story to generate curiosity in your readers.
Last, but not least, you can jump straight into the essay topic without any dramatization. This strategy works well with analytical essays.
Right Tone and Purpose
Set the tone of the essay. The tone of the opening lines should match the rest of the essay. It should reflect the purpose and the audience of your essay. For example, if you are writing a ‘contrast and compare essay,’ it should be more factual with statistical evidence. Again, if your essay is based on a novel, it can be more personal to evoke the emotions of the reader. Do not use vague sentences. Get to the point immediately, otherwise, you may distract your readers.
Background Information
The background is the backbone of your essay. It consists of necessary facts and information that prepare your reader for what is coming next. If your essay writing is about a historical event, add some historical facts or the time period in which the event took place. However, do not give away too much information in the introduction; save the rest for the main body of the essay. Wikipedia states that introductions are not merely to summarise what you are going to cover, but also to provide some background information about the topic
Avoid Overgeneralization
You can start with the broad concept of the paper but slowly narrow it down to the main subject. Stay focused and use precise statements that are relevant to the topic. The best way is to add topic sentences that will guide your reader to the main body of the essay.
Focus on the Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is a crucial part of the essay and though it is usually written as the ending lines of the introduction it can appear elsewhere. The statement is about one sentence long but it can be longer and gives a brief summary of the article. It should be accurate, unambiguous, and straight to the point to help the reader to get a better understanding of the topic.
Revise and Rewrite
There is no clear formula for writing a compelling introduction. Do not get overboard in writing the perfect words. If it is messy, leave it as it is. Instead, focus on the main body and come back to your introduction after some time. This will give you enough time to refresh your thoughts and come up with new ideas. Read your introduction several times, revise it, edit, and remove irrelevant sentences.
Avoid Fluff
Do not fill your introduction with unnecessary fluff and fillers. Fluff words add no value to the introduction and take away space for the main body. Online essay writing services like Canada Essay Writing believe that students must avoid adding unnecessary details, redundancy, and off-topic information which will divert the readers from the main topic.
Connect to Your Readers
An introduction is not just the opening lines of your essay, it is a tool to trigger imagination and cultivate curiosity in your reader. The main idea is to emotionally connect to your readers and help them relate to your thoughts and ideas. Do not hesitate to add some humor along the way. Nobody wants to read a boring piece of paper even if he is your professor!
In a Nutshell
A great introduction persuades the reader to continue reading the essay. It is also a proven way to showcase your writing skills especially if you are running for good grades.
Once you finish writing your essay, revisit the introduction, read it aloud, and see how it sounds. Review your introduction and see how it benefits the readers and whether it emphasizes the main points. Be specific and keep your introduction short, clear, and concise.
