Organizing an Introduction Paragraph

Everything You Need to Know about an  

More than likely, you've been directed to this page because you need help with one of the 3 sections of an Introduction paragraph: 

1. Hook sentence to intrigue readers (Interest-catcher that relates to your thesis statement— You CAN use source materials here.)
2. Detail sentence(s) to provide background (Connective sentence(s) that tie(s) your interest-catcher to your thesis—You will NOT use source materials here.)
3. Thesis statement (Your thesis, which identifies the topic and reveals the central claim you are making about the issue, can provide an overview of your main points—such as an essay map; however, the essay map is optional—You will NOT use source materials here.)

The Introduction paragraph must be at least 3 sentences in length, but it will not be much longer than 5-7.  

The Introduction paragraph serves as a bookend to your writing.  It leads the reader into your paper, but it does not 'argue' anything.  

Here is a sample introduction paragraph.

[Below this, you will see the paragraph broken into its parts.]

Sample introduction paragraphs can make writing so much easier to complete! Even though many students complete their introduction paragraph after they have written the bulk of their paper—the body paragraphs—many students find it helpful to create a temporary introduction when they begin crafting the initial draft of the paper.  No matter when you create your introduction paragraph, it is important to be clear and direct within its sentences so that a reader does not get confused.

Sample introduction paragraphs can make writing so much easier to complete! [“Hook” sentence—serves to lure the reader into the paper while indicating the overall point of the writing: in this case…introduction paragraphs.  Source usage is allowed in this sentence.]  Even though many students complete their introduction paragraph after they have written the bulk of their paper—the body paragraphs—many students find it helpful to create a temporary introduction when they begin crafting the initial draft of the paper.  [This is the Background/detail sentence.  It is designed to move the reader from your interesting ‘hook’ sentence toward the actual thesis of the paper: located in the next sentence.  The background/detail sentence(s) will never contain source material.  They will all be written in your own voice, and they will never include any questions.] No matter when you create your introduction paragraph, it is important to be clear and direct within its sentences so that a reader does not get confused. [This would be the thesis statement—if I were writing a paper on the importance of creating an intriguing introduction paragraph.  The thesis statement is the last sentence of the introduction.  It will never be a question: it is a statement.  It will never contain sourced materials: it is in your own words, asserting your overall point for the essay.  It will never be more than one sentence: it is a single statement.]

See the links below for the specific areas for learning how to make the best Introduction for your paper.  

Click on the links to go directly to the articles.

Getting Started

• Purpose of an Introduction
• Prewriting for the Introduction

Structure of an Introduction

• Understanding the Funnel-Approach
• Structuring the Introduction

"Hook"

• Why Do We Need Great "Hooks" for Introductions?

Background Content

• Details and Forecasts in an Introduction
• Why Can't I Use Sources in the Background?
• Background Information Narrows the Topic

Thesis

• A Proper Thesis and Checklist

No-Nos

• Questions in an Introduction
• Why Can't I Use Sources in the Background?

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What goes where

in an Introduction Paragraph

In an essay at the college level, you will be expected to assert an argument on a topic or focus on a specific 'point' to influence or inform the audience.  You need to be able to do this with clarity and commitment.  

In an introduction, you are leading the reader from the larger overview of the topic to your precise P.O.V. that argues your side of the issue.  

You will structure your introduction paragraph in 3 parts:

Part 1: 'Hook"

Part 2: Background/content/transition ideas, and 

Part 3 Thesis.  

The “Hook” sentence of an introduction serves to grab the reader.  Therefore, a startling fact or a well-crafted question that directly relates to the topic can be quite useful at the “Hook”.  

After that initial sentence, though, the introduction must be completely in your own words, with your own convictions, and lead the reader to the ultimate point of the essay—your Thesis—which asserts the narrow view and focused point of the topic.

Please remember that there are three parts to an introduction paragraph.  Therefore, logically, you must write at least 3-sentences in your introduction paragraph for it to meet the minimum requirements.  See the visual below to understand how to structure your INTRODUCTION.

INTRODUCTION

Introduction Paragraph Follow the guidelines for Introductions found here: https://learnessaywriting.blogspot.com/p/drawing-readers-in-asyou-begin-to-write.html
Part 1: Hook	Begin your introduction with an attention grabber to “hook” your reader’s attention. You MAY use a question—as long as it is a deep, intriguing question that clearly relates to your overall topic—here; however, if you can captivate your audience without a question, you will find your introduction is typically smoother and has better flow from the “Hook,” to the background, and ending with the Thesis.
Part 2: Background	Add a few sentences between your hook and thesis to transition from the hook to the thesis:  Do not use source materials or questions in this section of the introduction. You need to assert your own view, voice, and argument—in your own words, from your own thoughts.  Save all source materials for the body paragraphs, and do not use ANY questions in the body paragraphs.
Part 3: Thesis	End your introduction with your THESIS STATEMENT.  See thesis statement. The thesis should be just one sentence, not a question, not sourced content, and it must show the point you aim to argue. Consider using words like “should” and “because” to help make it arguable. You will never use a question in a Thesis—since a Thesis statement is…well…a statement, not a question.  You will also never use source materials in a Thesis statement.  The Thesis is YOUR argument on the topic that will be addressed and proven in the body paragraphs.

© 2018-2023 by Jeanette L. H. Dick

Using Questions in the Introduction