Q&A for How to Start an Introductory Paragraph

Definitely start with a hook to get the reader's attention. Once you have their attention, give them context about what you're going to talk about and how you’re going to talk about it. Show them why they should care about what you're talking about. At the end of your intro, state your claim that you're going to prove and make your argument very clear.

You have to commit to a particular side of an argument if you're doing a persuasive essay. If you're doing research, make it clear what you're setting out to prove. Don't be a flip-flopper in that sense—don't try to get the broadest possible audience by saying that you believe both sides of the argument are right.

It's really a matter of personal taste. It matters how relevant the question is to the argument that's being had. I do think that starting with a question can help get the reader into this mindset of questioning something. And that can be a good thing, especially if you're dealing with a highly controversial topic.

Stick to the basics and be as clear as you possibly can. Essays are designed to convey an argument or thesis, so you don't want there to be any confusion. Think of your introduction as being a gateway for the rest of your essay. The start of your intro has to immediately catch the reader’s attention, and it also needs to flow seamlessly into the rest of the intro. The intro of any type of essay or article must identify the topic, give important context details, and offer your thesis or major focus. Use efficient, engaging writing that makes every word count. It's usually a good idea to start with a sentence that grabs the reader's attention followed by a few sentences that give some background and context for the topic of your essay. End your introduction with a single sentence that clearly and directly states the thesis or your primary argument or focus for your whole essay. That way, people know exactly what the whole point of the essay is from the very beginning.

Ideally, you want to use words and sentences that really grab the reader's attention at the start of your introduction. That way your readers will want to keep reading and they aren't confused by any arguments or points that you're making. One way to do that is to use an anecdote or analogy so help your readers mentally connect with your essay before you dive into the information and data of the rest of the essay. An anecdote is a brief story that relates either literally or symbolically to the topic you’re writing about. For example, if you're writing an essay on hypocrisy in a political party, you could start by talking about Oedipus gouging out his eyes to avoid looking at his own mistakes. Anecdotes are interesting, and they can make your arguments resonate with your readers.

Generally, around 5 sentences should cover everything you want to cover in a proper introduction. You'll want to have a strong, attention-grabbing first sentence and then a few sentences that give some context and background information about the topic or focus of your essay. For instance, if you're writing about the impact of a new law, you could talk about the history behind the law and how it was passed to set the scene and give your readers some more knowledge about the topic. Your final sentence should be your thesis. It should be a strong, direct sentence that clearly relays the main point or argument behind your entire essay. That way, readers are clear about what you're going to try to prove.