How to Write an Introduction for Any Essay

TL;DR

Every introduction needs three things: a hook (grab attention), context (set up the topic), and a thesis (state your argument). The thesis goes LAST. Write your intro AFTER your body paragraphs — it's way easier when you already know what you're going to say.

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The 3-Part Introduction Formula

Part 1: The Hook (1-2 sentences)

Your opening sentence should make the reader want to keep reading. Options:

Surprising statistic: "One in four college students reports symptoms of clinical depression — yet only 40% seek help."

Question: "What if everything you were taught about studying was wrong?"

Bold claim: "Homework does more harm than good for most high school students."

Vivid scene: "At 2 AM on a Tuesday, my kitchen table was buried under flashcards, empty coffee cups, and tears."

Quote: "As Albert Einstein said, 'Education is not the learning of facts but the training of the mind to think.'"

Part 2: Context (2-3 sentences)

After your hook, provide the background your reader needs:

• What's the topic?
• Why does it matter?
• What's the broader conversation?

This bridges the gap between your hook and your thesis.

Part 3: Thesis Statement (Last sentence)

Your thesis is the main argument of your entire essay. It goes at the END of your introduction. It should be:

• Specific (not vague)
• Arguable (someone could disagree)
• A roadmap for your body paragraphs

Example Introduction

"According to the American Psychological Association, 87% of teenagers say social media makes them feel worse about their appearance (hook). In the past decade, social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have become central to teenage social life, with the average teen spending over 3 hours daily scrolling through curated content (context). While these platforms promise connection, they ultimately harm adolescent mental health by promoting unrealistic body standards, enabling cyberbullying, and replacing meaningful in-person relationships (thesis)."

What NOT to Do

❌ Don't start with a dictionary definition ("Webster's defines...") ❌ Don't announce your essay ("In this essay, I will...") ❌ Don't start with "Since the beginning of time..." ❌ Don't make your introduction too long (4-6 sentences is usually perfect) ❌ Don't include evidence in your introduction (that's for body paragraphs)

Pro Tip: Write Your Intro Last

Many students sit staring at a blank page trying to write the perfect introduction. Skip it! Write your body paragraphs first, then come back and write an intro that sets them up. It's 10x easier when you already know what your essay says.

Let Gradily Help You Start Strong

Struggling to find the right hook? Gradily can help you brainstorm opening strategies and craft introductions that grab attention.

[Try Gradily for Free →]

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A strong introduction is like a firm handshake — it sets the tone for everything that follows. Hook, context, thesis. Three parts, every time. 🎯