For example, you can use essay introduction phrases like:


The general statements will introduce the topic of the essay and give background information. The background information for a short essay will generally just be one or two sentences. The general statements should become more and more specific as the introduction progresses, leading the reader into the essay (some writers talk about "attracting the readers' attention", though for an academic essay, this is less important). For longer essays, the general statements could include one or more , or could the topic, and may cover more than one paragraph.


Why It Works: We’re introduced to the author as a basketball superstar, the queen of the court, a sports fanatic—and at this point the reader may even be making assumptions about this author’s identity based on her initial description of herself. However, in one sentence, the writer takes us in a completely unexpected direction. This plays with audience expectations and demonstrates that she has a good degree of self awareness about the layers of her identity. After having our expectations thrown for a loop, we can’t help but wonder more about who exactly this person is (and if you want to know like I did, read the rest of this essay ).

This last purpose is perhaps the most important, and is the reason why many writers choose to write the introduction , after they have written the , because they need to know what the essay will contain before they can give a clear plan.

Here’s an analytical essay introduction example:

The thesis statement is the most important part of the introduction. It gives the reader clear information about the content of the essay, which will help them to understand the essay more easily. The thesis states the specific topic, and often lists the that will be discussed in the main body. It may also indicate how the essay will be organised, e.g. in chronological order, order of importance, advantages/disadvantages, cause/effect. It is usually at the end of the introduction, and is usually (but not always) one sentence long.

When writing an introduction to an academic essay, it is useful to remember the main purpose of the introduction. In general, the introduction will introduce the topic to the reader by stating what the topic is and giving some general background information. This will help the reader to understand what you are writing about, and show why the topic is important. The introduction should also give the overall plan of the essay.

Getting started can often be difficult. Even professional writers say that the hardest part of writing is the beginning. Writing an introduction to an essay can therefore seem a daunting task, though it need not be so difficult, as long as you understand the and the of the introduction. An has been given to help you understand both of these, and there is a at the end which you can use for editing your introduction.

This thesis statement tells us the specific topic of the essay (advantages and disadvantages of cars) and the method of organisation (advantages should come first, disadvantages second). It is, however, quite general, and may have been written before the writer had completed the essay.


Here’s an argumentative essay introduction example:

Our essay introduction examples showing the parts of an essay introduction will help you craft the beginning paragraph you need to start your writing journey on the right foot.

Short Essay Introduction Examples

This example of a good essay introduction uses a slightly different strategy than the others. To hook the reader, it begins with an interesting anecdote related to the topic. That pulls us in, making us wonder what really happened to the Lutzs. Then, section two provides us with some background information about the topic to help us understand. Many people believe ghosts aren't real, but some scientists think they are.

Essay Introduction Examples For Students

Still feeling unsure about how to write an essay introduction? Here's another example using the essay introduction structure we discussed earlier.

Essay Introduction Examples For University Students

In order to learn how to start an introduction for an essay, it is crucial to understand what background information needs to be included in your introduction.

How to Write an Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Although the introduction is the first thing your reader will read, this does not mean you have to write it first. Many students find it is easier to put together the main body of their essay first and then their conclusion. When the whole of the main body and conclusion have been done this can make it easier for you to write a clear introduction.

How to Start an Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide

This example of a good essay introduction pulls us in right away. This is because section one provides an interesting fact about King Charles I. What is the story there, and what bad luck did he experience after his cat passed away? Then, section two provides us with general information about the current status of black cats. We understand the context of the essay and why the topic is controversial.