Introduction In Essay

(Of course, your professor will keep reading even if she’s not very interested, but that’s not the reaction you’re hoping for.)Without a good introduction, your paper will fall flat.These opening lines (sometimes called hook sentences) grab readers’ attention.

Because this essay is more informal, you have more options for an opening line.

You might use a personal story or anecdote, but might also find that a quote works just as well.

Without a strong thesis, your essay introduction pretty much falls apart. There are so many things wrong with this thesis that I don’t even know where to start. Here’s what your completed essay introduction looks like. It hooks readers with a catchy opening line, provides a brief introduction to your topic, and includes a strong, focused thesis to let readers know what your paper is about.

It’s like putting together a TV stand but deciding to not use all 500 tiny screws in the plastic bag. First, in most types of writing there’s really no need to announce statements like, “In this paper…” Readers should understand the thesis without such announcements. Even though the introduction is the first thing your audience reads, the introduction doesn’t have to be the first thing you write.

These movies include Batman & Robin, Batman, Batman Returns, Batman Forever, and The Dark Knight Trilogy.

This example still includes an overview of the history, but it focuses on the men who starred as Batman.

Bad opening line #3: Ever since the days of the cavemen, we’ve told stories about our heroes.

This type of introduction makes a broad, sweeping statement that doesn’t offer any connection to the real content of your paper.

A thesis statement is essentially a mini-outline of your paper. This thesis statement is much better because it gives readers a quick overview of the paper.

It tells readers what your paper is about and offers your opinion on the topic. It’s strong enough to stand on its own and strong enough to hold your paper together.