How to Write an Essay Introduction (with Examples)
The introduction of an essay plays a critical role in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. It sets the stage for the rest of the essay, establishes the tone and style, and motivates the reader to continue reading.
Table of Contents
What is an essay introduction , what to include in an essay introduction, how to create an essay structure , step-by-step process for writing an essay introduction , how to write an essay introduction paragraph with paperpal – step -by -step, how to write a hook for your essay , how to include background information , how to write a thesis statement .
- Argumentative Essay Introduction Example:
- Expository Essay Introduction Example
Literary Analysis Essay Introduction Example
Check and revise – checklist for essay introduction , key takeaways , frequently asked questions .
An introduction is the opening section of an essay, paper, or other written work. It introduces the topic and provides background information, context, and an overview of what the reader can expect from the rest of the work. 1 The key is to be concise and to the point, providing enough information to engage the reader without delving into excessive detail.
The essay introduction is crucial as it sets the tone for the entire piece and provides the reader with a roadmap of what to expect. Here are key elements to include in your essay introduction:
- Hook : Start with an attention-grabbing statement or question to engage the reader. This could be a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or a compelling anecdote.
- Background information : Provide context and background information to help the reader understand the topic. This can include historical information, definitions of key terms, or an overview of the current state of affairs related to your topic.
- Thesis statement : Clearly state your main argument or position on the topic. Your thesis should be concise and specific, providing a clear direction for your essay.
Before we get into how to write an essay introduction, we need to know how it is structured. The structure of an essay is crucial for organizing your thoughts and presenting them clearly and logically. It is divided as follows: 2
- Introduction: The introduction should grab the reader’s attention with a hook, provide context, and include a thesis statement that presents the main argument or purpose of the essay.
- Body: The body should consist of focused paragraphs that support your thesis statement using evidence and analysis. Each paragraph should concentrate on a single central idea or argument and provide evidence, examples, or analysis to back it up.
- Conclusion: The conclusion should summarize the main points and restate the thesis differently. End with a final statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Avoid new information or arguments.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write an essay introduction:
- Start with a Hook : Begin your introduction paragraph with an attention-grabbing statement, question, quote, or anecdote related to your topic. The hook should pique the reader’s interest and encourage them to continue reading.
- Provide Background Information : This helps the reader understand the relevance and importance of the topic.
- State Your Thesis Statement : The last sentence is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be clear, concise, and directly address the topic of your essay.
- Preview the Main Points : This gives the reader an idea of what to expect and how you will support your thesis.
- Keep it Concise and Clear : Avoid going into too much detail or including information not directly relevant to your topic.
- Revise : Revise your introduction after you’ve written the rest of your essay to ensure it aligns with your final argument.
Unsure of how to start your essay introduction? Leverage Paperpal’s Generative AI templates to provide a base for your essay introduction. Here’s an example of an essay outline generated by Paperpal.
Use Paperpal’s Preditive AI writing features to maintain your writing flow
This is one of the key steps in how to write an essay introduction. Crafting a compelling hook is vital because it sets the tone for your entire essay and determines whether your readers will stay interested. A good hook draws the reader in and sets the stage for the rest of your essay.
- Avoid Dry Fact : Instead of simply stating a bland fact, try to make it engaging and relevant to your topic. For example, if you’re writing about the benefits of exercise, you could start with a startling statistic like, “Did you know that regular exercise can increase your lifespan by up to seven years?”
- Avoid Using a Dictionary Definition : While definitions can be informative, they’re not always the most captivating way to start an essay. Instead, try to use a quote, anecdote, or provocative question to pique the reader’s interest. For instance, if you’re writing about freedom, you could begin with a quote from a famous freedom fighter or philosopher.
- Do Not Just State a Fact That the Reader Already Knows : This ties back to the first point—your hook should surprise or intrigue the reader. For Here’s an introduction paragraph example, if you’re writing about climate change, you could start with a thought-provoking statement like, “Despite overwhelming evidence, many people still refuse to believe in the reality of climate change.”
Including background information in the introduction section of your essay is important to provide context and establish the relevance of your topic. When writing the background information, you can follow these steps:
- Start with a General Statement: Begin with a general statement about the topic and gradually narrow it down to your specific focus. For example, when discussing the impact of social media, you can begin by making a broad statement about social media and its widespread use in today’s society, as follows: “Social media has become an integral part of modern life, with billions of users worldwide.”
- Define Key Terms : Define any key terms or concepts that may be unfamiliar to your readers but are essential for understanding your argument.
- Provide Relevant Statistics: Use statistics or facts to highlight the significance of the issue you’re discussing. For instance, “According to a report by Statista, the number of social media users is expected to reach 4.41 billion by 2025.”
- Discuss the Evolution: Mention previous research or studies that have been conducted on the topic, especially those that are relevant to your argument. Mention key milestones or developments that have shaped its current impact. You can also outline some of the major effects of social media. For example, you can briefly describe how social media has evolved, including positives such as increased connectivity and issues like cyberbullying and privacy concerns.
- Transition to Your Thesis: Use the background information to lead into your thesis statement, which should clearly state the main argument or purpose of your essay. For example, “Given its pervasive influence, it is crucial to examine the impact of social media on mental health.”
A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, or other type of academic writing. It appears near the end of the introduction. Here’s how to write a thesis statement:
- Identify the topic: Start by identifying the topic of your essay. For example, if your essay is about the importance of exercise for overall health, your topic is “exercise.”
- State your position: Next, state your position or claim about the topic. This is the main argument or point you want to make. For example, if you believe that regular exercise is crucial for maintaining good health, your position could be: “Regular exercise is essential for maintaining good health.”
- Support your position: Provide a brief overview of the reasons or evidence that support your position. These will be the main points of your essay. For example, if you’re writing an essay about the importance of exercise, you could mention the physical health benefits, mental health benefits, and the role of exercise in disease prevention.
- Make it specific: Ensure your thesis statement clearly states what you will discuss in your essay. For example, instead of saying, “Exercise is good for you,” you could say, “Regular exercise, including cardiovascular and strength training, can improve overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.”
Examples of essay introduction
Here are examples of essay introductions for different types of essays:
Argumentative Essay Introduction Example:
Topic: Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
“The question of whether the voting age should be lowered to 16 has sparked nationwide debate. While some argue that 16-year-olds lack the requisite maturity and knowledge to make informed decisions, others argue that doing so would imbue young people with agency and give them a voice in shaping their future.”
Expository Essay Introduction Example
Topic: The benefits of regular exercise
“In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of regular exercise cannot be overstated. From improving physical health to boosting mental well-being, the benefits of exercise are numerous and far-reaching. This essay will examine the various advantages of regular exercise and provide tips on incorporating it into your daily routine.”
Text: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee
“Harper Lee’s novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ is a timeless classic that explores themes of racism, injustice, and morality in the American South. Through the eyes of young Scout Finch, the reader is taken on a journey that challenges societal norms and forces characters to confront their prejudices. This essay will analyze the novel’s use of symbolism, character development, and narrative structure to uncover its deeper meaning and relevance to contemporary society.”
- Engaging and Relevant First Sentence : The opening sentence captures the reader’s attention and relates directly to the topic.
- Background Information : Enough background information is introduced to provide context for the thesis statement.
- Definition of Important Terms : Key terms or concepts that might be unfamiliar to the audience or are central to the argument are defined.
- Clear Thesis Statement : The thesis statement presents the main point or argument of the essay.
- Relevance to Main Body : Everything in the introduction directly relates to and sets up the discussion in the main body of the essay.
Writing a strong introduction is crucial for setting the tone and context of your essay. Here are the key takeaways for how to write essay introduction: 3
- Hook the Reader : Start with an engaging hook to grab the reader’s attention. This could be a compelling question, a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or an anecdote.
- Provide Background : Give a brief overview of the topic, setting the context and stage for the discussion.
- Thesis Statement : State your thesis, which is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be concise, clear, and specific.
- Preview the Structure : Outline the main points or arguments to help the reader understand the organization of your essay.
- Keep it Concise : Avoid including unnecessary details or information not directly related to your thesis.
- Revise and Edit : Revise your introduction to ensure clarity, coherence, and relevance. Check for grammar and spelling errors.
- Seek Feedback : Get feedback from peers or instructors to improve your introduction further.
The purpose of an essay introduction is to give an overview of the topic, context, and main ideas of the essay. It is meant to engage the reader, establish the tone for the rest of the essay, and introduce the thesis statement or central argument.
An essay introduction typically ranges from 5-10% of the total word count. For example, in a 1,000-word essay, the introduction would be roughly 50-100 words. However, the length can vary depending on the complexity of the topic and the overall length of the essay.
An essay introduction is critical in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. To ensure its effectiveness, consider incorporating these key elements: a compelling hook, background information, a clear thesis statement, an outline of the essay’s scope, a smooth transition to the body, and optional signposting sentences.
The process of writing an essay introduction is not necessarily straightforward, but there are several strategies that can be employed to achieve this end. When experiencing difficulty initiating the process, consider the following techniques: begin with an anecdote, a quotation, an image, a question, or a startling fact to pique the reader’s interest. It may also be helpful to consider the five W’s of journalism: who, what, when, where, why, and how. For instance, an anecdotal opening could be structured as follows: “As I ascended the stage, momentarily blinded by the intense lights, I could sense the weight of a hundred eyes upon me, anticipating my next move. The topic of discussion was climate change, a subject I was passionate about, and it was my first public speaking event. Little did I know , that pivotal moment would not only alter my perspective but also chart my life’s course.”
Crafting a compelling thesis statement for your introduction paragraph is crucial to grab your reader’s attention. To achieve this, avoid using overused phrases such as “In this paper, I will write about” or “I will focus on” as they lack originality. Instead, strive to engage your reader by substantiating your stance or proposition with a “so what” clause. While writing your thesis statement, aim to be precise, succinct, and clear in conveying your main argument.
To create an effective essay introduction, ensure it is clear, engaging, relevant, and contains a concise thesis statement. It should transition smoothly into the essay and be long enough to cover necessary points but not become overwhelming. Seek feedback from peers or instructors to assess its effectiveness.
References
- Cui, L. (2022). Unit 6 Essay Introduction. Building Academic Writing Skills .
- West, H., Malcolm, G., Keywood, S., & Hill, J. (2019). Writing a successful essay. Journal of Geography in Higher Education , 43 (4), 609-617.
- Beavers, M. E., Thoune, D. L., & McBeth, M. (2023). Bibliographic Essay: Reading, Researching, Teaching, and Writing with Hooks: A Queer Literacy Sponsorship. College English, 85(3), 230-242.
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Informative Essay — Purpose, Structure, and Examples
What is informative writing?
Informative writing educates the reader about a certain topic. An informative essay may explain new information, describe a process, or clarify a concept. The provided information is objective, meaning the writing focuses on presentation of fact and should not contain personal opinion or bias.
Informative writing includes description, process, cause and effect, comparison, and problems and possible solutions:
Describes a person, place, thing, or event using descriptive language that appeals to readers’ senses
Explains the process to do something or how something was created
Discusses the relationship between two things, determining how one ( cause ) leads to the other ( effect ); the effect needs to be based on fact and not an assumption
Identifies the similarities and differences between two things; does not indicate that one is better than the other
Details a problem and presents various possible solutions ; the writer does not suggest one solution is more effective than the others
Purpose of informative writing
The purpose of an informative essay depends upon the writer’s motivation, but may be to share new information, describe a process, clarify a concept, explain why or how, or detail a topic’s intricacies.
Informative essays may introduce readers to new information .
Summarizing a scientific/technological study
Outlining the various aspects of a religion
Providing information on a historical period
Describe a process or give step-by-step details of a procedure.
How to write an informational essay
How to construct an argument
How to apply for a job
Clarify a concept and offer details about complex ideas.
Explain why or how something works the way that it does.
Describe how the stock market impacts the economy
Illustrate why there are high and low tides
Detail how the heart functions
Offer information on the smaller aspects or intricacies of a larger topic.
Identify the importance of the individual bones in the body
Outlining the Dust Bowl in the context of the Great Depression
Explaining how bees impact the environment
How to write an informative essay
Regardless of the type of information, the informative essay structure typically consists of an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Introduction
Background information
Explanation of evidence
Restated thesis
Review of main ideas
Closing statement
Informative essay introduction
When composing the introductory paragraph(s) of an informative paper, include a hook, introduce the topic, provide background information, and develop a good thesis statement.
If the hook or introduction creates interest in the first paragraph, it will draw the readers’ attention and make them more receptive to the essay writer's ideas. Some of the most common techniques to accomplish this include the following:
Emphasize the topic’s importance by explaining the current interest in the topic or by indicating that the subject is influential.
Use pertinent statistics to give the paper an air of authority.
A surprising statement can be shocking; sometimes it is disgusting; sometimes it is joyful; sometimes it is surprising because of who said it.
An interesting incident or anecdote can act as a teaser to lure the reader into the remainder of the essay. Be sure that the device is appropriate for the informative essay topic and focus on what is to follow.
Directly introduce the topic of the essay.
Provide the reader with the background information necessary to understand the topic. Don’t repeat this information in the body of the essay; it should help the reader understand what follows.
Identify the overall purpose of the essay with the thesis (purpose statement). Writers can also include their support directly in the thesis, which outlines the structure of the essay for the reader.
Informative essay body paragraphs
Each body paragraph should contain a topic sentence, evidence, explanation of evidence, and a transition sentence.
A good topic sentence should identify what information the reader should expect in the paragraph and how it connects to the main purpose identified in the thesis.
Provide evidence that details the main point of the paragraph. This includes paraphrasing, summarizing, and directly quoting facts, statistics, and statements.
Explain how the evidence connects to the main purpose of the essay.
Place transitions at the end of each body paragraph, except the last. There is no need to transition from the last support to the conclusion. A transition should accomplish three goals:
Tell the reader where you were (current support)
Tell the reader where you are going (next support)
Relate the paper’s purpose
Informative essay conclusion
Incorporate a rephrased thesis, summary, and closing statement into the conclusion of an informative essay.
Rephrase the purpose of the essay. Do not just repeat the purpose statement from the thesis.
Summarize the main idea found in each body paragraph by rephrasing each topic sentence.
End with a clincher or closing statement that helps readers answer the question “so what?” What should the reader take away from the information provided in the essay? Why should they care about the topic?
Informative essay example
The following example illustrates a good informative essay format:
Informative Essay
What is an Informative Essay and How to Write One?
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Published on: Aug 11, 2021
Last updated on: Oct 26, 2024
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Have you been assigned an informative essay but don’t know where to start? This guide has got you covered!
An informative essay is a common assignment for school or college students. The goal is to provide detailed information to the readers about the specific topic.
Read on to find simple step-by-step instructions for writing an interesting and engaging informative essay. You’ll also get to read helpful examples and tips you can follow to make your essay even better!
Let’s dive in!
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Informative Essay Definition
The informative essay can be simply defined as,
"A form of essay writing that aims to educate and inform the reader about a specific topic."
Informative essays can cover a variety of topics. It could be written about a particular thing, event, or natural phenomenon, etc.
This type of essay highlights the objective facts and evidence without reflecting the writer's subjective point-of-view about the topic.
What is the Purpose of an Informative Essay?
An informative essay presents objective and verifiable information about a topic. It relies on factual evidence and reliable sources.
The main goal of writing an informative essay is to;
- Inform the reader about something.
- Explain a particular subject.
- Transmit verified knowledge clearly and concisely.
Types of Informative Essay
There are several types of informative essays, and each type has its own purpose and style. Here are some of the informative essay types that you need to know.
- Descriptive Essay
A descriptive essay is an essay that describes something about an event, person, place, or idea in detail. The descriptive essay aims to provide enough information to the readers to visualize or imagine the matter described.
Want to know more about descriptive essays? Check out this descriptive essay writing blog to learn more.
- Cause and Effect Essay
The cause and effect essay describes the cause of an event or idea and then explains its effects on today’s world and people. Also, this type of essay is a common form of organization in academic writing.
However, the cause-and-effect essay requires strong research skills. Without them, your essay will not become a successful piece of writing.
- Compare and Contrast Essay
In a compare and contrast essay, the writer discusses the similarities and differences between two or more things. This type of essay also requires strong critical thinking skills.
Therefore, when you start writing the compare and contrast essay , you should identify and analyze the subject from all angles and characteristics.
- Process Essay
The process essay is also known as the "How-To" essay. This essay provides information about how a process occurs or about the process of doing something.
- Problem-Solution Essay
A problem-solution essay is another common type of informative essay in which you describe a problem and then propose its solution. Its main purpose is to educate the readers on the problem and its significance.
Looking for more information? Visit our problem-solution essay guide and learn to write perfect problem solution essays.
- Expository Essay
The expository essay explains, illustrates, or interprets something in a way that becomes easy for the readers. This essay provides a fair analysis of the subject based on facts without the writer’s opinions.
Here is a simple video that explains informative writing:
How to Start an Informative Essay?
Before you can start writing, you have to do some "rewriting." Here are the steps involved in prewriting:
- Brainstorm Ideas
Brainstorming is the first step in writing any type of essay . Here, you brainstorm several topic ideas and generate a list of potential topics.
So think about all the possible ideas that are related to your interest and subject. This will help you choose an interesting topic for your essay.
- Choose a Topic
Choosing the right topic is essential for writing a great essay. A good topic will not only make your writing process easy but also make the research phase interesting.
So choose a topic you can easily write about and support it with facts, evidence, and statistics. In short, the topic should be interesting and easy to research.
- Know Your Target Audience
Your audience determines the style and tone of your essay. Consider who will be reading your essay and what their background, knowledge, and interests might be.
For instance, if you are writing for school children, your language should be simple, easy, and interesting. Meanwhile, writing for a professional audience requires you to use technical terminology and jargon.
So always think about who you are writing for and determine your audience before proceeding.
- Do the Research
You have to do some research to gather information for your essay. Make sure the information that you collect is reliable and accurate.
Use a variety of sources for research, including research articles, books, documentaries, etc. You should also take detailed and organized notes to keep track of the information you find, so you can use it later.
- Create an Outline
An essay outline helps the writer keep their focus strong and narrow. With the help of an outline, you will easily organize your thoughts and ideas.
So create an outline of your essay to lay out a structure.
Don't know how to make an informative essay outline? Don’t worry, read on to find out.
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Informative Essay Outline
Crafting a well-structured essay involves planning what points to include and how it all ties together. Creating an outline is the best way to ensure that your work is well-structured.
An informative essay outline is outlined in the following way:
Let’s discuss these outline parts in detail.
Introduction
- Start with a captivating hook that grabs the reader's attention. It could be an intriguing fact, a relevant quote, or a thought-provoking question.
- State your thesis statement . It is the last part of the introduction that clearly presents the main idea or argument of your essay. It should reflect the informative nature of your essay and guide the reader on what to expect.
- Divide the body of your essay into several paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on one specific aspect or subtopic related to your main thesis.
- Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main point of that paragraph.
- Analyze and discuss your supporting evidence. They could be examples, facts, or statistics that provide informative content.
Conclusion
- Summarize the main points covered in your essay.
- End with a thought-provoking statement, a call to action, or a suggestion for further exploration of the topic.
Here is an example outline template that you can use to write your informative essay outline
Informative Essay Outline Template
How to Write an Informative Essay?
Once you have done the prewriting, you have got everything you need to start. Following the steps below will help you write a great informative essay.
How to Write an Informative Essay Introduction?
The introduction of an essay sets the tone of the essay and provides an overview of the topic. Here are some key elements you need to include when writing an informative essay introduction:
- Attention-Grabber / Hook:
The hook is the first line of the essay that aims to pique the readers’ interest. This can be:
- An interesting fact,
- A thought-provoking question,
- Or a compelling anecdote related to your topic, etc.
The hook should be related to your topic and should be engaging enough to grab the reader's attention.
Struggling to come up with a good hook? These 200+ hook examples will help you craft an excellent hook!
- Background Information:
After grabbing the reader’s attention, you have to them to your topic. Discuss some background details on the topic to provide context.
Also, discuss the relevance or importance of the subject matter. This helps the reader understand the significance of the information you're about to present. Moreover, use clear and concise language to provide essential and interesting details to make the reader want to continue reading.
- Thesis Statement:
The thesis statement presents the main topic or idea of the essay in a concise and clear way. It provides an overview of what will be covered.
The thesis statement is the last part of the introduction. It should be specific, focused, and encompass the main ideas you'll be discussing in the body of the essay.
How to Write an Informative Essay Body Paragraphs?
The body paragraphs are the major chunk of your essay. They provide all the information about your chosen topic. There should be at least three body paragraphs in your essay, although there can be more depending on your topic.
Here are the key elements of the informative essay body paragraphs:
- Topic Sentence
Begin each body paragraph with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main point you will be discussing in that paragraph. It is the first sentence of the paragraph and should be clearly related to the thesis.
- Provide Information and Evidence
In an informative essay, information and evidence should be presented clearly and logically. So present the facts, examples, statistics, or quotations that inform the reader about the topic. This information should come from reliable and credible sources.
- Discuss and Elaborate
After presenting the evidence, explain and discuss them to ensure a thorough understanding of the information. Clarify any complex terms, concepts, or ideas that may require explanation for understanding the topic effectively.
- Use Transitional Phrases:
Use transitional phrases or sentences to connect paragraphs and ideas. This helps maintain a cohesive flow of information throughout the essay.
For instance, transitional words such as "moreover," "furthermore," "on the other hand," or "in addition to" can be used to link ideas logically.
Having a difficult time with smooth transitions? Here’s a list of transition words for essays to help you out!
How to Write an Informative Essay Conclusion?
In an essay conclusion , you wrap up the essay and provide a sense of closure. Writing the informative essay conclusion includes the following steps:
- Summarize the Main Points:
Revisit the main points covered in your essay's body paragraphs and provide a concise summary of the information presented. Do not introduce any new information or arguments in the conclusion.
- Restate your Thesis Statement
Begin your conclusion by restating your thesis statement in a slightly different way. This helps remind the reader of the main objective of your essay.
- Provide a Thought-Provoking Statement:
End your conclusion with a thought-provoking statement, reflection, or question that leaves a strong impression on the reader. This can help inspire them to continue exploring the topic beyond your essay.
Edit and Proofread the Essay
Once you are done with your first draft, take some time to proofread and revise you essay. Check for grammar and spelling, format, logical coherence, and clarity. Remove any repetitive statements or unnecessary details.
Revising your essay will make it even better and more interesting to read.
Informative Essay Examples
Reading some good examples will make writing an informative essay easier for you. Here are a few short informative essay examples that demonstrate how it looks like. Be sure to read them out.
Informative Essay about Stress
Informative Essay on Diabetes
Informative Essay on Netflix
Informative Essay on Tree in Winter
Informative Essay Topics
A good essay topic is a key to a successful essay. Here are a few ideas that will get you inspired:
- The Benefits of Regular Exercise
- The Importance of Recycling
- The Process of Photosynthesis
- What was the Big Bang?
- The History of the Internet
- How did the Dinosaurs go extinct?
- The Benefits of Meditation
- The Impact of Climate Change on Ecosystems
- The Role of Technology in Education
Stuck on choosing your topic? Don’t worry! Check out our list 200 informative essay topics to get inspiration!
To Sum Up,
This guide introduced everything you needed to start writing an informative essay. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently embark on your informative writing journey.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should be included in an informative essay.
Here are some points that should be included in an informative essay.
- Thesis statement
- Strong evidence
- Examples
What is the main topic of an informative essay?
The main topic of an informative essay is to educate the readers on a specific topic.
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As a Digital Content Strategist, Nova Allison has eight years of experience in writing both technical and scientific content. With a focus on developing online content plans that engage audiences, Nova strives to write pieces that are not only informative but captivating as well.
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How to Write an Informative Essay Introduction
Table of Contents
Essay introductions play a vital role in every informative essay. It is crucial to write an excellent introduction to make your piece more interesting. There are several things that you should consider when making a great intro. And we’ll discuss all that and more along with an informative essay introduction example .
Your introduction is what sets the scene for the rest of your essay. Informative essays use facts and figures, explain situations and issues, come up with conclusions and present the benefits of the thesis. And your introduction needs to reflect this.
What is an Informative Essay?
The purpose of informative essays is to provide information to the reader. It explains complex topics in a more simplified way. They can be about any topic such as business, history, literature, or even science.
Unlike other types of essays, the aim of informative essays is not to persuade the reader but to provide information. One of its main objectives is to present evidence to justify your main points.
Types of Informative Essays
Informative essays can be categorized into five main categories. This helps you know what you are trying to accomplish with your informative essay.
1. Descriptive
A descriptive essay can describe a subject, person, concept, or event in vivid sensory detail. This essay aims to appeal to the five senses. Descriptive essays can also appeal to empathy and emotion and arouse interest in the reader.
A process essay outlines the steps necessary to complete a particular task or procedure. It provides instructions in chronological order to assist the reader in the course of carrying out a task.
3. Compare/contrast
The compare-and-contrast essay highlights similarities and differences between subjects in the same category. The essay can compare two or more subjects and include their pros and cons. You can also use this essay to show how the subject fits within a single cluster of ideas.
4. Cause/effect
A cause-and-effect essay describes a scenario that caused an effect. It then goes through the causes and consequences of the situation. This is a somewhat common analysis format for informative writing. It aims to make a clear and logical argument.
5. Problem/solution
A problem/solution essay compares and contrasts two or more significant points and then gives a final solution. This essay must include an introduction with a thesis, a body, and a conclusion.
It’s important to remember that a problem/solution essay is not just about finding a solution and then conveying it to your audience. Instead, you should also provide the positive and negative aspects of the solution to help the audience see the benefit of the final verdict.
Tips for Writing an Essay Introduction
Writing your essay introduction isn’t as hard as it seems. If you stay organized, well-prepared, and focused on the purpose of your essay, it will go well. Here are some quick tips that can help you out.
1. Know Your Audience
By getting to know your audience, you can utilize a writing style that better suits the assignment. And you will be able to tailor your introduction to them so they get what they want out of the essay.
2. Keep it Concise
An introduction is usually two to three sentences long, so it’s essential to make it concise, direct, and to the point. Be brief and try to summarize your main points.
3. Hook Your Readers In
The introduction is also sometimes referred to as the hook. This is because it’s the part of your essay which will hopefully hook your reader to continue reading your essay throughout.
Make sure to make your introduction as interesting as possible. Think of something that can lure your readers in.
Types of Informative Essay Introduction Example
There are many ways to start your essay. Each type focuses on a different approach. Whichever type you choose to use, make sure that it hooks the reader and encourages them to continue.
By knowing the introduction types, you can get an idea of the kind of introduction to pursue with your essay.
1. Question Hook
Asking a question in your introduction can intrigue your reader . This question is a call to action, and by answering it, the reader gains greater knowledge about what’s to come next. This is an excellent choice for informative, persuasive, and narrative essays.
- What is the most challenging question you have asked yourself?
- Did you know that around one billion cars are being used worldwide?
- How did people in medieval times communicate if they didn’t have the internet?
2. Declaration Hook
Declaration hooks involve using a solid opening statement to grab your readers’ attention. The best declaration hooks are personal statements, statements from authorities, or statements of opinion.
- The leading cause of poverty is corrupt governments.
- I believe that being a single mother is one of the most challenging jobs.
3. Story Hook
Story hooks are more on the entertaining side. It discusses a topic as if you’re telling a story. They can be narrated or told in a final summation theme. You might even choose to segue the story into your essay, using cliffhangers, events, or even some advice.
A story hook is a great way to share your personal experiences with others while keeping your essay’s tone informative.
- Growing up, I always found nature to be an exciting sight. We used to go camping every weekend and witness the beautiful night sky above our tents.
4. Fact Hook
A fact hook differs from a declaration hook because it uses statements with proof to back it up. This adds more credibility to your essay. The reader will see that you’ve taken the time to research your topic.
- An astounding 79 million motor vehicles are manufactured every year.
5. Quotation Hook
Another great way to start your essay is to use a quote. The quote you use doesn’t have to be from a well-known person. Once you’ve chosen a quote, you can explain what this quote means with a little bit of the author’s bias and opinion. Lastly, you want to tie the quote to the rest of your essay.
An informational essay aims to impart information that is essential to the reader. It is written in a structured and clear manner, and it can be about any topic.
The introduction of the essay is an essential component because it is the first step to hooking the audience in and getting them interested . Hopefully, the informative essay introduction example in this article has given your an idea of how to start your essay. Good luck!
Abir Ghenaiet
Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.
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How to Start an Informative Essay
- Grab attention.
- Introduce and explain a topic.
- State a thesis.
With so many articles and blog posts about essay introductions, most students still want to see detailed guides on writing intros for specific essay types. We’ve got them covered:
Here’s the step-by-step guide on how to start an informative essay. (For other intro types, feel free to check the instructions from our professional writers on how to start persuasive and personal essays. The ultimate guide on writing essay intros is also available: Here it is .)
So, How to Start an Informative Essay
We hope you’ve already checked our ultimate guide on informative essays and learned the purpose of this writing:
It educates the reader. An author provides terms, facts, and data about a particular topic/issue, thus explaining it to the audience. When writing an informative paper, you don’t argue or persuade but share the facts, compare them, explain how something works, etc.
The introduction of such essays is essential: It helps the audience understand whether they want to continue reading and learn more about the topic.
The Role of Intros in Essays
The essay introduction is the first paragraph of your paper, aimed at presenting and explaining the issue so that people would like to continue reading and learn more.
Below are three main jobs informative essay introductions do:
- Introduce the topic and explain why it’s critical.
- Highlight the essay’s main ideas.
To get people interested in reading your essay, it’s critical to introduce the topic so they would understand why it’s worth learning more about it. For that, you’ll need to capture their interest, state the issue with some background information, and explain (briefly!) what you’re going to cover in the essay.
No matter how brilliant your informative essay is, its poor introduction may prevent the audience from reading it. A teacher grading your essay may underestimate your work if it starts with a weak first paragraph.
The Elements of Informative Essay Introduction
Now that you know why essay intros are so critical, it’s time to learn the essential components you’ll need to include in the first paragraph of your informative essay to make it do the job:
Your essay introduction will need a hook , background information , and a thesis statement .
- Hook: the first sentence that grabs your reader’s attention
- Background: 2-3 sentences readers need to know about your topic before reading on
- Thesis: the sentence about the main ideas you’ll cover in the essay
Make all three elements concise and clear. Remember that it’s just the first paragraph of your essay: 4-5 sentences will be enough to fulfill the task.
And now, for more details on each element in your informative essay introduction:
A hook for essays is the first sentence that grabs attention and motivates the audience to keep reading. Hook types are many, and the most relevant ones for informative writing are an interesting fact, a question, or a statistic.
Let’s say, you write an informative essay about pandas. That’s what your hook sentence could be:
- An interesting fact: “A newborn panda is 1/900th the size of its mother.”
- A question: “Pandas are among the most beloved animals in China, but do people really know these wonderful creatures?”
- A statistic: “In 1970, there were only about 1,000 giant pandas left on earth.”
Once your hook is ready, use some linking words to make a natural transition to the topic. It will make your writing sound logical for readers to follow.
Background Information
The background information comes after your hook sentence: It should relate to the topic of your informative essay and naturally flow into your thesis.
Let’s continue with pandas. The background information in your introduction could sound like that:
- “Most people probably know pandas are black and white, and some people may think they can do Kung-fu. It’s worth learning more facts about these famous animals.”
Thesis Statement
This element is a must-have for all essay types. It comes at the end of your introductory paragraph, explaining and summarizing the issue you’ll explain in the essay body.
Here goes our “panda” thesis:
- “Giant pandas have special characteristics, live in certain areas of China, and eat food besides just bamboo!”
It’s the heart of your essay, providing a reason to read it. A strong thesis statement should specify the topic (pandas) and the main points (sub-topics) you’ll describe in your essay to support it (characteristics, areas in China, and food).
Let’s see the complete essay introduction we’d get if we wrote about pandas:
A giant panda thank goes to Mr. S and his YouTube channel !
Writing Essay Intros, Step by Step
The below tips will help you write informative essay introductions faster. Since you already know the elements to include there, try the following tactics to ease the process:
1) Know your topic
Sometimes it’s a teacher assigning a specific topic for your informative essay. However, the common practice today is to let students choose topics for their academic papers themselves. In this case, it would help if you wrote about something you love, understand, and enjoy investigating.
Don’t hurry up to introduce your topic. It’s okay to write an essay outline and body first, and then come back to writing the first paragraph with a proper introduction of what you’ve covered in the text.
2) Grab attention
When you have an informative essay assigned in school or college, you imagine a teacher as its one and only reader. You understand they will keep reading your work anyway because they have to give you a grade. Why not change the perspective?
Try to imagine you write for a broader audience. What hook would you try to grab their attention from the first sentence and engage them to keep reading?
Start your essay introduction with a sentence that gets the reader interested in the topic. As already mentioned, it can be some unexpected fact, catchy question, or surprising statistic.
3) Present your topic
You need to tie a hook with a thesis statement of your essay so the whole introduction would look and sound logical. A few sentences between these two elements, where you present the topic, serve for that.
Try drawing on the point you made in the hook and connect it to the scope of your essay.
4) Explain or clarify the topic
Providing readers with a little bit of background on the topic allows them to better understand the issue. You don’t need to go into extreme detail, just give a short explanation of the topic.
Your background information here should be concise and clear.
- Avoid sweeping generalizations or dictionary definitions, don’t write anything like, “All people know that…” or “According to the dictionary.”
- Say no to direct statements like, “In this essay, I will write about..,” “I’m going to tell you about,” “My essay is about,” etc.
- Never suggest you’re not familiar or certain with the topic. Avoid phrases like, “I can’t be certain, but…”
“I think” is also wrong to use in an informative essay. Its purpose is to inform, not share your opinion.
5) Conclude by stating your thesis
The thesis statement is the central idea of your whole essay: It tells readers what to expect and compels them to keep reading.
State three main claims you’re going to make in your paper — they will be subtopics for each of your three body paragraphs. Remember the thesis statement in the above example with pandas?
Three subtopics here are:
#1 paragraph: What special characteristics describe a giant panda?
#2 paragraph: Where do giant pandas live?
#3 paragraph: What do giant pandas eat?
And please don’t include any supporting evidence or quotes in essay introductions: You’ll add them later throughout the body.
So now that you have a step-by-step instruction on how to start an informative essay, we hope the writing process will go faster. Everything is easy:
- Grab a reader’s attention with a hook.
- Introduce a topic and provide a little background on it.
- State a thesis, telling about what you’ll cover in the essay.
Still in doubt? Don’t hesitate to ask Bid4Papers for help with essays !
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COMMENTS
Jun 7, 2023 · An informative essay is an essay that explains a topic. Informative essays come in many forms; one might explain how a system works, analyze data, summarize an event, compare two or more subjects, or walk the reader through a process step-by-step. Unlike reaction essays, reflective essays, and narrative essays, informative essays are purely ...
Feb 4, 2019 · Step 1: Hook your reader. Your first sentence sets the tone for the whole essay, so spend some time on writing an effective hook. Avoid long, dense sentences—start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.
By carefully constructing each part, writers can create an introduction that is informative, engaging, and clear. Below are the critical elements of a strong essay introduction. The Hook. The hook is the first sentence(s) of an essay, and its ultimate function is to grab hold of the reader the way a newsflash bulletin would.
Sep 29, 2017 · An informative essay explains a particular topic to a reader. The introduction is naturally what starts the essay, so a strong introduction is essential to get the reader on board and interested in reading on. As well, a weak introduction can give a teacher grading your paper a poor opinion of the paper before he’s even finished reading it.
Mar 21, 2024 · Introduction: The introduction should grab the reader’s attention with a hook, provide context, and include a thesis statement that presents the main argument or purpose of the essay. Body: The body should consist of focused paragraphs that support your thesis statement using evidence and analysis.
Feb 13, 2024 · Informative essay body paragraphs. Each body paragraph should contain a topic sentence, evidence, explanation of evidence, and a transition sentence. Informative essay body paragraphs. A good topic sentence should identify what information the reader should expect in the paragraph and how it connects to the main purpose identified in the thesis.
Oct 20, 2022 · An introduction for an essay or research paper is the first paragraph, which explains the topic and prepares the reader for the rest of the work. Because it’s responsible for both the reader’s first impression and setting the stage for the rest of the work, the introduction paragraph is arguably the most important paragraph in the work.
Aug 11, 2021 · The main goal of writing an informative essay is to; Inform the reader about something. Explain a particular subject. Transmit verified knowledge clearly and concisely. Types of Informative Essay. There are several types of informative essays, and each type has its own purpose and style. Here are some of the informative essay types that you ...
Aug 11, 2022 · Types of Informative Essays. Informative essays can be categorized into five main categories. This helps you know what you are trying to accomplish with your informative essay. 1. Descriptive. A descriptive essay can describe a subject, person, concept, or event in vivid sensory detail. This essay aims to appeal to the five senses.
Jun 30, 2022 · Make all three elements concise and clear. Remember that it’s just the first paragraph of your essay: 4-5 sentences will be enough to fulfill the task. And now, for more details on each element in your informative essay introduction: Hook. A hook for essays is the first sentence that grabs attention and motivates the audience to keep reading ...