A short essay introduction is the opening paragraph that:


Here are some useful weblinks to online resources which will help you write an essay introduction. The first link takes you to an Academic Phrasebank with a huge range of 'sentence starters' to help when you need to introduce work. The second link takes you to the essay writing tips on the Griffith Health Writing and Referencing Guide. The third link directs you to Library resources that will help you with writing your assignments.


Below you will find two downloadable resources to help guide you when writing essay Introductions. The first is a model of the '5 Golden Rules for Writing Essay Introductions' and the second is an annotated exemplar of the sample Introduction outlined in the video which demonstrates each of the 5 Golden Rules in action!

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Here’s an example of a good essay introduction with a memorable hook:

The introduction of your essay is important because it hooks your audience, and lays out your ideas. If it fails to engage, your hard work might go unnoticed. But, how can you create an introduction that successfully sets the tone for your entire paper? Well, you need to follow these key steps:

The essay introduction is the first thing your reader sees, setting the tone and style of your writing. More importantly, it gives background information to explain what your essay is about.

The video presentation for this session outlines the 5 Golden Rules for writing an essay introduction then takes you through an example introduction paragraph to provide a practical demonstration of each rule. Additional resources are also provided to guide and support you with writing introductions, including a model of the 5 Golden Rules and an annotated exemplar of the example showcased in the video (both available for download) in addition to useful links to other web resources.

Structurally, the introduction does three main things. First, it explains why your topic is important and gets your reader interested. Then, it states your thesis—the main point you're making in your essay. Finally, it outlines what you'll talk about in the rest of your essay.


For example, you can use essay introduction phrases like:

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.

Here is a good essay introduction example for a synthesis essay.

"Did you know that studies predict robots could replace up to 80% of jobs in the next two decades? This rapid automation offers both opportunities and challenges. While some view it as a path to a more efficient future, others fear widespread job loss and increased inequality. This essay explores automation's impact on the workforce, discussing economic benefits and social concerns. We'll examine how technology can create new jobs and support workers facing displacement. Ultimately, can we use automation to build a future that benefits everyone?"

Let’s take a look at this heritage essay introduction example:

This immediately flows into section three, which charts a course through the main arguments the essay will make. Finally, it ends with the essay's thesis: there is definitive proof of the existence of ghosts in the quantum realm. It all works because the author used the parts of an essay introduction well.

Here’s an example of how you can start an expository essay.

The introduction to an academic essay will generally present an analytical question or problem and then offer an answer to that question (the thesis).

Here is a COVID-19 essay introduction example for your understanding:

An explanation of what’s at stake in your essay, or why anyone would need to read an essay that argues this thesis
You will know why your essay is worth writing if you are trying to answer a question that doesn’t have an obvious answer; to propose a solution to a problem without one obvious solution; or to point out something that others may not have noticed that changes the way we consider a phenomenon, source, or idea. In all of these cases, you will be trying to understand something that you think is valuable to understand. But it’s not enough that you know why your essay is worth reading; you also need to explain to your readers why they should care about reading an essay that argues your thesis.

Here are some downloadable essay introduction examples:

The content and style of an introduction to an essay will depend on the purpose of your writing. If the essay title is in the form of a question, then the introduction will need to outline your answer to the question.