Introductions are an extremely important part of any essay as they set the stage for the rest of the paper and engage the reader. Introductions help bring the reader into the topic and provide context for what will be discussed. While introductions may have some variation in structure depending on the type of essay, there are a few common types that are commonly used. This article will provide examples and explain the key components of each type.
One of the most basic types of introductions is the general introduction. This gives a broad overview of the topic and a thesis statement. Here is an example of a general introduction for an essay about climate change:
“Climate change has become one of the most pressing issues facing our planet. Scientific evidence clearly demonstrates that the average temperature of the Earth has been rising at an alarming rate due to increases in greenhouse gas emissions from human activity like burning fossil fuels. This essay will examine three key impacts of climate change – rising sea levels, more extreme weather events, and threats to biodiversity. It will argue that governments must take ambitious action to transition to renewable energy sources and curb emissions in order to mitigate the worst effects of climate change.”
As can be seen, this introduction orients the reader to the broad topic of climate change and directly states the three impacts that will be discussed and the overall argument or thesis of the paper. While simple and broad, this type of general introduction is effective for an initial overview.
Another common type of introduction is the statistical introduction. This type leads with intriguing or startling statistics related to the topic to grab the reader’s attention from the start. Here is an example for a potential essay on food insecurity:
“In 2020, as many as 54 million Americans, including 18 million children, may experience food insecurity according to Feeding America. This means that 1 in 6 people in the United States have uncertain access to enough food for an active, healthy life at some point during the year due to financial constraints. Even more shockingly, food insecurity rates in American have risen by more than 50% since before the COVID-19 pandemic. This essay will examine the impacts of food insecurity on physical and mental health as well as explore policy solutions and community programs that could help mitigate this growing crisis.”
Using meaningful statistics engaged the reader by highlighting the severity and scope of the issue. It then directly connects those statistics to introduce the factors that will be discussed in the essay such as health impacts and potential solutions.
Another effective type of introduction is the anecdotal introduction. In this approach, the writer uses a brief story, example or quote to represent the broader topic and issue being examined. For example:
“In the summer of 2020, as wildfires raged across the western United States, 16-year-old Everett watched in horror from his home as a massive blaze surrounded his small town in Oregon. ‘The sky was this apocalyptic orange and you could feel the heat, it was terrifying,’ he recalled. Everett’s story demonstrates the very real human impacts of climate change that are already being experienced by many communities. As climate scientists warn that these types of extreme weather events will only increase in frequency and severity, this essay will assess U.S. policy efforts to transition to renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, arguing that bolder action is needed to prevent future climate disasters.”
By using Everett’s personal experience, it draws the reader into the human element of climate change before connecting it back to introduce the policy discussion that will follow. Anecdotes can help essays feel more engaging and relatable.
The final type of introduction that will be examined is the question-based introduction. In this approach, the writer poses an intriguing question related to the topic to pique readers’ interest and situate them to want to learn more. Here is an example for a paper on education reform:
“Why do American students continue to fall behind their international peers in STEM subject scores, according to the Programme for International Student Assessment, despite the United States spending more per student than many other developed countries? This question strikes at the heart of ongoing debates around the U.S. education system. This essay will explore potential explanations for this achievement gap, such as inequitable funding models and the impacts of high-stakes standardized testing. It will also propose reforms such as increasing vocational education opportunities and investing in early childhood education that could help improve student outcomes in the U.S.”
By posing this question about the paradox in U.S. education spending versus results, it engages the reader to want to learn potential reasons for and solutions to this issue. It also introduces the factors and reforms that will be discussed.
Introductions are an essential element of any persuasive academic essay. While general introductions giving an overview can be effective, introductions using statistics, anecdotes, or thought-provoking questions can help ensure readers are truly engaged from the outset. The type of introduction should be selected based on the specific topic and goal of capturing audience attention. Whichever approach is taken, an introduction must orient the reader to the issue, provide context, and clearly state what will be argued or accomplished in the paper. With strong introductory writing, authors can pull readers in from the first sentence and set the stage for a compelling discussion.
Andrew Stroud