Write an introduction with your thesis (electoral college)

How To Write An Essay Introduction 

• The beginning of the essay sets the tone for the reader. It is essential to write an essay introduction that picks your reader’s interest and encourages them to read further.
• There is no one way of starting an essay. Some people prefer getting started with the essay and write the introduction at the end of the writing process.
• Whenever you decide to write the introduction, always focus on the tone and purpose of your essay.

Here is a quick guide on how to write an introduction paragraph for an essay.

The Essay Introduction Structure

Below is the sequence of ideas that an essay introduction should follow:

• An attention grabber
• Background/ definition/ importance
• Overview of the claims
• Thesis Statement

Start With an attention grabber

Start your essay introduction with an interesting statement that should pull the readers in. This is usually the first sentence that sets the tone of your essay. Start with something interesting, clear, and concise to grab the reader’s attention.

Here are some expert suggestions on how to create an attention grabber:

• Start with an interesting fact
• Share an anecdote
• Write about a common misconception about your essay topic
• Start with a rhetorical question but change it into a declarative statement.

Do not say, “Do people spend too much on their pets?” or “Do you have a pet?”  Instead say, “Americans spent a lot on their pets.”  Or, “Many people treat their pets like children.”

Background Information

• Give the background of your essay topic first, and then identify the themes. The introduction always begins with an orientation. It contains statements that show how the topic relates to bigger issues addressed in the next part of the essay.
• The information you present here should be focused and must relate to the main argument of your essay. You can mention points that you will discuss in the body section. But do not give much information in this section.

A Limited Overview of Your Claims

• Your introduction should hint at the claims you will make, but do not “give it all away” in your introduction. Your claims, arguments, and information will be developed within the body of the essay
• Since you cannot discuss everything that is present about the given topic, the introduction will be where you narrow down your focus and inform the readers how and why you have chosen the given topic or subject.

(Do not state the obvious:  “I have chosen the topic because . . . .”  Instead say, “It is important for voters to understand that . . . .”  Or, “Reliable information about xxxxxxxx is vital because . . . .”) 

Thesis Statement

The last part of the introduction is the thesis statement.

• A thesis statement contains your topic and your argument (point of view).

Do not say, “Everyone should get COVID vaccinations.”  Instead say, “Everyone should be vaccinated for COVID because it prevents or reduces the severity of the disease and widespread vaccination controls the spread of the disease.”

• The thesis statement is a brief overview of the entire essay – a roadmap for your reader. This demonstrates the fundamental idea and approach of the writer towards the essay topic.
• The thesis statement is written at the end of the introductory paragraph.

  Assignment

Write the introduction for your argument essay (Part 5).  Be sure it contains a thesis statement.  Upload it here.