5.03).

Writing an Introduction
The introduction to every piece of writing should capture the reader’s attention and reel
them in. The introduction needs to be captivating enough that the reader wants to find out
more.

You should use your introduction to relate to the reader. You can use imagery, sensory
information, and other details to create a vision for the reader and allow them to connect.

The tone of the introduction should be informative, yet maintain the reader’s interest. The
introduction has to maintain a stance on a certain claim and display a level of knowledge and
confidence about the topic. You want the reader to feel certain that the writer knows what
they are talking about and that it is a reliable source of information.

Some of the best ways to start an introduction are:

 An intriguing example.
 Puzzling scenario.
 A vivid narrative.
 A question that makes the reader think.

Structuring your Introduction

When writing an introduction think of the ‘’inverted triangle’’, meaning the introduction
should go from broad information to narrow and specific. It should go from hook, then to
background and finally, to the thesis statement.

The opening line, or the hook, will encourage the reader to continue.

 While the introduction should give a brief synopsis, or summarization, of what is to

come, it should be in a way that keeps the reader intrigued.

After the hook, the introduction must provide background information on the topic.

 Typically, this summary will lead into the thesis and explain what will be discussed.

Finally, in an introduction you have the thesis statement.

 The Thesis Statement is the sentence that captures the main idea of the essay.
 It not only tells the reader what your essay will be about but also includes what your
stance is on the particular topic.
 The reader will know upon reading your thesis statement what your opinion is and the
rest of the paper should provide reasonings for this.

Example:

I feel my cell phone vibrating in my pocket and the whole room stops. Frustrated, my
teacher begins a lecture about how cellphones are a distraction in the classroom. However,
the notification I receive is from an app I use to practice math problems. (Hook: Vivid
narrative that draws in the reader).These days, more and more students are using cell phones
at a young age. But should students have cell phones in school? ( The background information
helps the reader understand what the rest of the essay will be about).

Although many teachers and parents feel cell phones can be a distraction for students, if used
appropriately cell phones can add valuable interactivity and learning opportunities in the
classroom. (The thesis clearly states the author’s stance on this topic. After reading the thesis
statement, the reader knows what the essay will be about).

After reading the introduction, the reader knows that the audience being addressed are
parents and teachers. The reader also learns that this essay will promote cell phone use in the
classroom.