How to Write an Introduction in Standard American English
The introduction is the first part of any piece of writing, and it is essential to make a good first impression. The introduction should provide a brief overview of the topic and grab the reader’s attention. It should also set the tone for the rest of the piece.
There are a number of different ways to write an introduction, but there are some general tips that can help you get started.
1. Start with a hook.
The hook is the first sentence or two of your introduction, and it is what will grab the reader’s attention. It can be a question, a startling statistic, or a personal anecdote. The goal is to make the reader want to keep reading.
2. Provide some background information.
Once you have hooked the reader, you need to provide some background information on the topic. This should be brief, just enough to give the reader the context they need to understand the rest of the piece.
3. State your thesis statement.
The thesis statement is the main argument of your piece. It should be a clear and concise statement that tells the reader what you are going to argue.
4. End with a roadmap.
The roadmap is a brief overview of the rest of the piece. It tells the reader what they can expect to learn in the body paragraphs.
Here is an example of an introduction:
Hook: In the United States, over 30 million people are living with diabetes.
Background information: Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose, or sugar, get from the bloodstream into the cells. Without insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, which can lead to a number of health problems, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and blindness.
Thesis statement: The growing prevalence of diabetes is a major public health concern.
Roadmap: In this paper, I will discuss the causes, symptoms, and treatments of diabetes. I will also discuss the impact of diabetes on the individual and on society as a whole.
FAQ
1. How long should an introduction be?
There is no set length for an introduction, but it should be long enough to provide the reader with the necessary background information and to state the thesis statement. A good rule of thumb is to keep the introduction to about 10% of the total length of the piece.
2. What is the difference between a hook and a thesis statement?
The hook is the first sentence or two of your introduction, and it is what will grab the reader’s attention. The thesis statement is the main argument of your piece, and it should be a clear and concise statement that tells the reader what you are going to argue.
3. What is a roadmap?
The roadmap is a brief overview of the rest of the piece. It tells the reader what they can expect to learn in the body paragraphs.
4. How do I write a strong hook?
There are a number of different ways to write a strong hook, but some general tips include:
- Ask a question.
- Use a startling statistic.
- Tell a personal anecdote.
- Make a bold statement.
5. How do I write a strong thesis statement?
A strong thesis statement should be:
- Clear and concise.
- Specific and focused.
- Arguable.
6. How do I write a strong roadmap?
A strong roadmap should be:
- Brief and to the point.
- Informative.
- Organized.
