The introduction is often the hardest paragraph to write, even though it's usually the shortest — because it sets the tone for everything that follows and is the first thing a reader (or examiner) judges.
The three-part introduction formula
- A hook — a general opening statement that draws the reader into the topic
- Context — a narrower statement connecting the hook to the specific question
- A thesis statement — your specific position or the essay's main argument
Types of hooks, with examples
| Hook type | Example |
|---|---|
| A general truth | "Technology has transformed nearly every part of modern life." |
| A surprising fact or statistic | "Remote work has more than tripled globally over the past decade." |
| A question (used sparingly) | "What would daily life look like without smartphones?" |
| A brief scenario | "Imagine receiving a job offer that requires relocating abroad within a month." |
Avoid opening with an overly broad statement like "Since the beginning of time..." — it signals a lack of focus rather than depth.
Writing a clear thesis statement
Your thesis should state your specific position in one clear sentence — vague enough to introduce, specific enough to guide the rest of the essay.
| Weak thesis | Stronger thesis |
|---|---|
| "There are many views on remote work." | "This essay argues that remote work improves both productivity and employee wellbeing." |
| "Education is important." | "This essay will argue that practical skills should be prioritised alongside academic knowledge in higher education." |
A full worked example
Remote work has become increasingly common worldwide. [hook] While some employers remain hesitant to adopt it, growing evidence suggests it improves both productivity and employee wellbeing. [context] This essay will argue that companies should actively support remote work options. [thesis]
Introductions for different essay types
| Essay type | What the introduction should signal |
|---|---|
| Opinion (agree/disagree) | Your clear position, stated early and directly |
| Discussion (both views) | That both sides will be covered before your own view, if asked |
| Problem-solution | The problem in one sentence, without yet detailing the solution |
Common mistakes in introductions
- Repeating the question word-for-word instead of paraphrasing it — examiners and readers notice this immediately.
- Writing a thesis that's too vague to guide the essay — if your thesis could fit almost any essay on the topic, it needs to be more specific.
- Making the introduction too long — 2–4 sentences is usually enough; save the detail for the body paragraphs.
- Introducing a new argument not covered in the body — everything mentioned in the thesis should be addressed later in the essay.
Common mistake: Starting with "In this essay, I will talk about..." This announces the essay rather than engaging the reader — a hook followed by a clear thesis achieves the same purpose more effectively.
Where to go next
Once your introduction is solid, continue with body paragraph structure and conclusions in our full Essay Writing Structure guide, or see the complete writing process in How to Write an Essay.
Keep learning: browse more Writing Skills notes or head back to the homepage to explore other subjects.