How To Start An Essay (With 20 Great Examples)
Facing a blank page and unsure how to start your essay? Crafting a compelling essay isn’t innate for everyone. While it’s about presenting clear ideas, even top students can struggle. For many, meeting deadlines or ensuring quality becomes daunting, leading them to consult professionals like do my essay cheap . These experts whip up top-tier essays swiftly. A standout essay can elevate your academic status, with the introduction being the pivotal hook. Many opt to hire essay writers for that impeccable start. But crafting an engaging intro is doable. Want to captivate your readers immediately? Or impress academic panels? If the task still feels daunting, there’s always the option to buy assignments online for guaranteed quality. But let’s explore ways to start an essay on your own.
How to start your essay? – The most straightforward advice
How to begin your essay – the lengthier and more appropriate advice.
The aim of an academic essay is usually to persuade readers to change their minds about something. It can also be a descriptive, expository, argumentative, or narrative essay .
But regardless of the format of the essay , the introduction should still have these basic ingredients:
How long should an essay introduction be.
It all depends on the overall length of your essay. If it’s a standard, five-paragraph college essay , the introduction should only take one paragraph or 60-80 words. But if you’re writing something longer, for example, a five-page interpretation of a literary work, the introduction could take two to three paragraphs or 120-150 words. You can measure the length using a simple word counter but don’t obsess too much about the number. The crucial thing is to say what you need to say and impact the reader.
The aim of the introductory paragraph
The first paragraph is always tricky because it serves a double purpose. It has to state what the essay will be about, but it needs to hook the readers and motivate them to read on. That’s why you need a perfect balance between clinical precision and artistic flair.
If you truly want to learn how to begin an essay, there are three best ways to do it:
20 great examples and tips on how to start an essay:, 1. describe a setting and start with an emotional punch, 2. start with a deeply personal story from your childhood.
“One Sunday morning when I was a boy, my father came out of his office and handed me a poem. It was about a honeybee counseling a flea to flee a doggy and see the sea. The barbiturates my father took to regulate his emotions made him insomniac, and I understood that he’d been awake most of the night, laboring over these lines, listing all the words he could think of ending in a long “e.” – Charles D’Ambrosio – Documents
3. Create a mysterious atmosphere
“Moths that fly by day are not properly to be called moths; they do not excite that pleasant sense of dark autumn nights and ivy-blossom which the commonest yellow-underwing asleep in the shadow of the curtain never fails to rouse in us.” – Virginia Woolf – Death of the Moth
4. Throw the reader straight into the middle of the events
“Earlier this summer I was walking down West End Avenue in Manhattan and remembered, with a sadness that nearly knocked me off my feet, just why I came to New York seven years ago and just why I am now about to leave.” – Meghan Daum – My Misspent Youth
5. Start with universal questions of life and death
6. start with a question and then answer it.
“What is the charm of necklaces? Why would anyone put something extra around their neck and then invest it with special significance? A necklace doesn’t afford warmth in cold weather, like a scarf, or protection in combat, like chain mail; it only decorates. We might say, it borrows meaning from what it surrounds and sets off, the head with its supremely important material contents, and the face, that register of the soul.” – Emily R. Grosholz – On Necklaces
7. Start with irony
“In Moulmein, in Lower Burma, I was hated by large numbers of people – the only time in my life that I have been important enough for this to happen to me.” – George Orwell – Shooting an Elephant
8. Begin by creating great expectations of what’s to come (use the introduction as bait)
9. start with a puzzle (notice how you start to wonder who is she talking about in this introduction), 10. start with dark humor.
“When I was young, I thought Life: A User’s Manual would teach me how to live and Suicide: A User’s Manual how to die.” – Édouard Levé – When I Look at a Strawberry, I Think of a Tongue
11. Start with an unusual question that will pull the readers in
12. commence by taking the reader into the world of mystery and awe, 13. state your thesis at the very beginning – be clear about it.
“Science has beauty, power, and majesty that can provide spiritual as well as practical fulfillment. But superstition and pseudoscience keep getting in the way providing easy answers, casually pressing our awe buttons, and cheapening the experience.” – Carl Sagan – Does Truth Matter – Science, Pseudoscience, and Civilization
14. Start with the obvious that’s not so obvious after all
“To do something well you have to like it. That idea is not exactly novel. We’ve got it down to four words: “Do what you love.” But it’s not enough just to tell people that. Doing what you love is complicated.” – Paul Graham – How To Do What You Love
15. Be unpredictable and highly intellectual
“Once, in a dry season, I wrote in large letters across two pages of a notebook that innocence ends when one is stripped of the delusion that one likes oneself. Although now, some years later, I marvel that a mind on the outs with itself should have nonetheless made painstaking record of its every tremor, I recall with embarrassing clarity the flavor of those particular ashes. It was a matter of misplaced self-respect.” – Joan Didion – On Self Respect
16. Get straight to the point
17. start in a deeply emotional, poetic manner, 18. begin by describing the place and circumstances in great detail.
“Two blocks away from the Mississippi State Capitol, and on the same street with it, where our house was when I was a child growing up in Jackson, it was possible to have a little pasture behind your backyard where you could keep a Jersey cow, which we did. My mother herself milked her. A thrifty homemaker, wife, and mother of three, she also did all her cooking. And as far as I can recall, she never set foot inside a grocery store. It wasn’t necessary.” – Eudora Welty – The Little Store
19. Start by presenting an original idea (frame it in a way that the reader never considered before)
“Saints should always be judged guilty until they are proved innocent, but the tests that have to be applied to them are not, of course, the same in all cases. In Gandhi’s case the questions one feels inclined to ask are: to what extent was Gandhi moved by vanity — by the consciousness of himself as a humble, naked old man, sitting on a praying mat and shaking empires by sheer spiritual power — and to what extent did he compromise his principles by entering politics, which of their nature are inseparable from coercion and fraud?” – George Orwell – Reflections on Gandhi
20. Be clear-headed and approach the subject as objectively as possible
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How to Start an Essay: 13 Engaging Strategies
ThoughtCo / Hugo Lin
- Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia
- M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester
- B.A., English, State University of New York
There are countless ways to start an essay effectively. A solid introductory paragraph both informs and motivates. It lets readers know what your piece is about and it encourages them to keep reading.
For folks new to learning how to start an essay, here are 13 introductory strategies accompanied by examples from a wide range of professional writers.
State Your Thesis Briefly and Directly
One straightforward way to begin is to get right to the point. But avoid making your thesis a bald announcement, such as "This essay is about...".
"It is time, at last, to speak the truth about Thanksgiving, and the truth is this. Thanksgiving is really not such a terrific holiday...." (Michael J. Arlen, "Ode to Thanksgiving." The Camera Age: Essays on Television . Penguin, 1982)
Pose a Question Related to Your Subject
A thought-provoking way to start an essay is by asking a relevant question that needs to be unpacked. Follow up the question with an answer, or an invitation for your readers to answer the question.
"What is the charm of necklaces? Why would anyone put something extra around their neck and then invest it with special significance? A necklace doesn't afford warmth in cold weather, like a scarf, or protection in combat, like chain mail; it only decorates. We might say, it borrows meaning from what it surrounds and sets off, the head with its supremely important material contents, and the face, that register of the soul. When photographers discuss the way in which a photograph reduces the reality it represents, they mention not only the passage from three dimensions to two, but also the selection of a point de vue that favors the top of the body rather than the bottom, and the front rather than the back. The face is the jewel in the crown of the body, and so we give it a setting." (Emily R. Grosholz, "On Necklaces." Prairie Schooner , Summer 2007)
State an Interesting Fact About Your Subject
Leading with a fact that draws readers in immediately can grab their attention effectively.
" The peregrine falcon was brought back from the brink of extinction by a ban on DDT, but also by a peregrine falcon mating hat invented by an ornithologist at Cornell University. If you cannot buy this, Google it. Female falcons had grown dangerously scarce. A few wistful males nevertheless maintained a sort of sexual loitering ground. The hat was imagined, constructed, and then forthrightly worn by the ornithologist as he patrolled this loitering ground, singing, Chee-up! Chee-up! and bowing like an overpolite Japanese Buddhist trying to tell somebody goodbye...." (David James Duncan, "Cherish This Ecstasy." The Sun , July 2008)
Present Your Thesis as a Recent Discovery or Revelation
"I've finally figured out the difference between neat people and sloppy people. The distinction is, as always, moral. Neat people are lazier and meaner than sloppy people." (Suzanne Britt Jordan, "Neat People vs. Sloppy People." Show and Tell . Morning Owl Press, 1983)
Briefly Describe the Primary Setting of Your Essay
"It was in Burma, a sodden morning of the rains. A sickly light, like yellow tinfoil, was slanting over the high walls into the jail yard. We were waiting outside the condemned cells, a row of sheds fronted with double bars, like small animal cages. Each cell measured about ten feet by ten and was quite bare within except for a plank bed and a pot of drinking water. In some of them brown silent men were squatting at the inner bars, with their blankets draped round them. These were the condemned men, due to be hanged within the next week or two." (George Orwell, "A Hanging," 1931)
Recount an Incident That Dramatizes Your Subject
Sharing an incident from your life or history in general is an impactful way to start an essay.
"One October afternoon three years ago while I was visiting my parents, my mother made a request I dreaded and longed to fulfill. She had just poured me a cup of Earl Grey from her Japanese iron teapot, shaped like a little pumpkin; outside, two cardinals splashed in the birdbath in the weak Connecticut sunlight. Her white hair was gathered at the nape of her neck, and her voice was low. “Please help me get Jeff’s pacemaker turned off,” she said, using my father’s first name. I nodded, and my heart knocked." (Katy Butler, "What Broke My Father's Heart." The New York Times Magazine , June 18, 2010)
Use the Narrative Strategy of Delay
The narrative strategy of delay allows you to put off identifying your subject just long enough to pique your readers' interest without frustrating them.
"They woof. Though I have photographed them before, I have never heard them speak, for they are mostly silent birds. Lacking a syrinx, the avian equivalent of the human larynx, they are incapable of song. According to field guides the only sounds they make are grunts and hisses, though the Hawk Conservancy in the United Kingdom reports that adults may utter a croaking coo and that young black vultures, when annoyed, emit a kind of immature snarl...." (Lee Zacharias, "Buzzards." Southern Humanities Review , 2007)
Use the Historical Present Tense
An effective way to start an essay is to use historical present tense to relate an incident from the past as if it were happening now.
"Ben and I are sitting side by side in the very back of his mother’s station wagon. We face glowing white headlights of cars following us, our sneakers pressed against the back hatch door. This is our joy—his and mine—to sit turned away from our moms and dads in this place that feels like a secret, as though they are not even in the car with us. They have just taken us out to dinner, and now we are driving home. Years from this evening, I won’t actually be sure that this boy sitting beside me is named Ben. But that doesn’t matter tonight. What I know for certain right now is that I love him, and I need to tell him this fact before we return to our separate houses, next door to each other. We are both five." (Ryan Van Meter, "First." The Gettysburg Review , Winter 2008)
Briefly Describe a Process That Leads Into Your Subject
"I like to take my time when I pronounce someone dead. The bare-minimum requirement is one minute with a stethoscope pressed to someone’s chest, listening for a sound that is not there; with my fingers bearing down on the side of someone’s neck, feeling for an absent pulse; with a flashlight beamed into someone’s fixed and dilated pupils, waiting for the constriction that will not come. If I’m in a hurry, I can do all of these in sixty seconds, but when I have the time, I like to take a minute with each task." (Jane Churchon, "The Dead Book." The Sun , February 2009)
Reveal a Secret or Make a Candid Observation
"I spy on my patients. Ought not a doctor to observe his patients by any means and from any stance, that he might the more fully assemble evidence? So I stand in doorways of hospital rooms and gaze. Oh, it is not all that furtive an act. Those in bed need only look up to discover me. But they never do." ( Richard Selzer , "The Discus Thrower." Confessions of a Knife . Simon & Schuster, 1979)
Open with a Riddle, Joke, or Humorous Quotation
A fun way to start an essay is to use a riddle , joke, or humorous quotation that reveals something about your subject.
" Q: What did Eve say to Adam on being expelled from the Garden of Eden? A: 'I think we're in a time of transition.' The irony of this joke is not lost as we begin a new century and anxieties about social change seem rife. The implication of this message, covering the first of many periods of transition, is that change is normal; there is, in fact, no era or society in which change is not a permanent feature of the social landscape...." (Betty G. Farrell, Family: The Making of an Idea, an Institution, and a Controversy in American Culture . Westview Press, 1999)
Offer a Contrast Between Past and Present
"As a child, I was made to look out the window of a moving car and appreciate the beautiful scenery, with the result that now I don't care much for nature. I prefer parks, ones with radios going chuckawaka chuckawaka and the delicious whiff of bratwurst and cigarette smoke." (Garrison Keillor, "Walking Down The Canyon." Time , July 31, 2000)
Offer a Contrast Between Image and Reality
A compelling way to start an essay is with a contrast between a common misconception and the opposing truth.
"They aren’t what most people think they are. Human eyes, touted as ethereal objects by poets and novelists throughout history, are nothing more than white spheres, somewhat larger than your average marble, covered by a leather-like tissue known as sclera and filled with nature’s facsimile of Jell-O. Your beloved’s eyes may pierce your heart, but in all likelihood they closely resemble the eyes of every other person on the planet. At least I hope they do, for otherwise he or she suffers from severe myopia (near-sightedness), hyperopia (far-sightedness), or worse...." (John Gamel, "The Elegant Eye." Alaska Quarterly Review , 2009)
- Examples of Great Introductory Paragraphs
- Write an Attention-Grabbing Opening Sentence for an Essay
- 100 Persuasive Essay Topics
- How to Write a Good Thesis Statement
- 501 Topic Suggestions for Writing Essays and Speeches
- The Ultimate Guide to the 5-Paragraph Essay
- Essay Assignment: Descriptive and Informative Profile
- Practice in Supporting a Topic Sentence with Specific Details
- How to Start a Book Report
- What Is Expository Writing?
- An Essay Revision Checklist
- Make Your Paragraphs Flow to Improve Writing
- 50 Argumentative Essay Topics
- How to Outline and Organize an Essay
- How to Write a Narrative Essay or Speech (With Topic Ideas)
- Writing an Opinion Essay
How to Write an Essay Introduction (with Examples)
The introduction of an essay plays a critical role in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. It sets the stage for the rest of the essay, establishes the tone and style, and motivates the reader to continue reading.
Table of Contents
What is an essay introduction , what to include in an essay introduction, how to create an essay structure , step-by-step process for writing an essay introduction , how to write an introduction paragraph , how to write a hook for your essay , how to include background information , how to write a thesis statement .
- Argumentative Essay Introduction Example:
- Expository Essay Introduction Example
Literary Analysis Essay Introduction Example
Check and revise – checklist for essay introduction , key takeaways , frequently asked questions .
An introduction is the opening section of an essay, paper, or other written work. It introduces the topic and provides background information, context, and an overview of what the reader can expect from the rest of the work. 1 The key is to be concise and to the point, providing enough information to engage the reader without delving into excessive detail.
The essay introduction is crucial as it sets the tone for the entire piece and provides the reader with a roadmap of what to expect. Here are key elements to include in your essay introduction:
- Hook : Start with an attention-grabbing statement or question to engage the reader. This could be a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or a compelling anecdote.
- Background information : Provide context and background information to help the reader understand the topic. This can include historical information, definitions of key terms, or an overview of the current state of affairs related to your topic.
- Thesis statement : Clearly state your main argument or position on the topic. Your thesis should be concise and specific, providing a clear direction for your essay.
Before we get into how to write an essay introduction, we need to know how it is structured. The structure of an essay is crucial for organizing your thoughts and presenting them clearly and logically. It is divided as follows: 2
- Introduction: The introduction should grab the reader’s attention with a hook, provide context, and include a thesis statement that presents the main argument or purpose of the essay.
- Body: The body should consist of focused paragraphs that support your thesis statement using evidence and analysis. Each paragraph should concentrate on a single central idea or argument and provide evidence, examples, or analysis to back it up.
- Conclusion: The conclusion should summarize the main points and restate the thesis differently. End with a final statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Avoid new information or arguments.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write an essay introduction:
- Start with a Hook : Begin your introduction paragraph with an attention-grabbing statement, question, quote, or anecdote related to your topic. The hook should pique the reader’s interest and encourage them to continue reading.
- Provide Background Information : This helps the reader understand the relevance and importance of the topic.
- State Your Thesis Statement : The last sentence is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be clear, concise, and directly address the topic of your essay.
- Preview the Main Points : This gives the reader an idea of what to expect and how you will support your thesis.
- Keep it Concise and Clear : Avoid going into too much detail or including information not directly relevant to your topic.
- Revise : Revise your introduction after you’ve written the rest of your essay to ensure it aligns with your final argument.
Here’s an example of an essay introduction paragraph about the importance of education:
Education is often viewed as a fundamental human right and a key social and economic development driver. As Nelson Mandela once famously said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” It is the key to unlocking a wide range of opportunities and benefits for individuals, societies, and nations. In today’s constantly evolving world, education has become even more critical. It has expanded beyond traditional classroom learning to include digital and remote learning, making education more accessible and convenient. This essay will delve into the importance of education in empowering individuals to achieve their dreams, improving societies by promoting social justice and equality, and driving economic growth by developing a skilled workforce and promoting innovation.
This introduction paragraph example includes a hook (the quote by Nelson Mandela), provides some background information on education, and states the thesis statement (the importance of education).
This is one of the key steps in how to write an essay introduction. Crafting a compelling hook is vital because it sets the tone for your entire essay and determines whether your readers will stay interested. A good hook draws the reader in and sets the stage for the rest of your essay.
- Avoid Dry Fact : Instead of simply stating a bland fact, try to make it engaging and relevant to your topic. For example, if you’re writing about the benefits of exercise, you could start with a startling statistic like, “Did you know that regular exercise can increase your lifespan by up to seven years?”
- Avoid Using a Dictionary Definition : While definitions can be informative, they’re not always the most captivating way to start an essay. Instead, try to use a quote, anecdote, or provocative question to pique the reader’s interest. For instance, if you’re writing about freedom, you could begin with a quote from a famous freedom fighter or philosopher.
- Do Not Just State a Fact That the Reader Already Knows : This ties back to the first point—your hook should surprise or intrigue the reader. For Here’s an introduction paragraph example, if you’re writing about climate change, you could start with a thought-provoking statement like, “Despite overwhelming evidence, many people still refuse to believe in the reality of climate change.”
Including background information in the introduction section of your essay is important to provide context and establish the relevance of your topic. When writing the background information, you can follow these steps:
- Start with a General Statement: Begin with a general statement about the topic and gradually narrow it down to your specific focus. For example, when discussing the impact of social media, you can begin by making a broad statement about social media and its widespread use in today’s society, as follows: “Social media has become an integral part of modern life, with billions of users worldwide.”
- Define Key Terms : Define any key terms or concepts that may be unfamiliar to your readers but are essential for understanding your argument.
- Provide Relevant Statistics: Use statistics or facts to highlight the significance of the issue you’re discussing. For instance, “According to a report by Statista, the number of social media users is expected to reach 4.41 billion by 2025.”
- Discuss the Evolution: Mention previous research or studies that have been conducted on the topic, especially those that are relevant to your argument. Mention key milestones or developments that have shaped its current impact. You can also outline some of the major effects of social media. For example, you can briefly describe how social media has evolved, including positives such as increased connectivity and issues like cyberbullying and privacy concerns.
- Transition to Your Thesis: Use the background information to lead into your thesis statement, which should clearly state the main argument or purpose of your essay. For example, “Given its pervasive influence, it is crucial to examine the impact of social media on mental health.”
A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, or other type of academic writing. It appears near the end of the introduction. Here’s how to write a thesis statement:
- Identify the topic: Start by identifying the topic of your essay. For example, if your essay is about the importance of exercise for overall health, your topic is “exercise.”
- State your position: Next, state your position or claim about the topic. This is the main argument or point you want to make. For example, if you believe that regular exercise is crucial for maintaining good health, your position could be: “Regular exercise is essential for maintaining good health.”
- Support your position: Provide a brief overview of the reasons or evidence that support your position. These will be the main points of your essay. For example, if you’re writing an essay about the importance of exercise, you could mention the physical health benefits, mental health benefits, and the role of exercise in disease prevention.
- Make it specific: Ensure your thesis statement clearly states what you will discuss in your essay. For example, instead of saying, “Exercise is good for you,” you could say, “Regular exercise, including cardiovascular and strength training, can improve overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.”
Examples of essay introduction
Here are examples of essay introductions for different types of essays:
Argumentative Essay Introduction Example:
Topic: Should the voting age be lowered to 16?
“The question of whether the voting age should be lowered to 16 has sparked nationwide debate. While some argue that 16-year-olds lack the requisite maturity and knowledge to make informed decisions, others argue that doing so would imbue young people with agency and give them a voice in shaping their future.”
Expository Essay Introduction Example
Topic: The benefits of regular exercise
“In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of regular exercise cannot be overstated. From improving physical health to boosting mental well-being, the benefits of exercise are numerous and far-reaching. This essay will examine the various advantages of regular exercise and provide tips on incorporating it into your daily routine.”
Text: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee
“Harper Lee’s novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ is a timeless classic that explores themes of racism, injustice, and morality in the American South. Through the eyes of young Scout Finch, the reader is taken on a journey that challenges societal norms and forces characters to confront their prejudices. This essay will analyze the novel’s use of symbolism, character development, and narrative structure to uncover its deeper meaning and relevance to contemporary society.”
- Engaging and Relevant First Sentence : The opening sentence captures the reader’s attention and relates directly to the topic.
- Background Information : Enough background information is introduced to provide context for the thesis statement.
- Definition of Important Terms : Key terms or concepts that might be unfamiliar to the audience or are central to the argument are defined.
- Clear Thesis Statement : The thesis statement presents the main point or argument of the essay.
- Relevance to Main Body : Everything in the introduction directly relates to and sets up the discussion in the main body of the essay.
Writing a strong introduction is crucial for setting the tone and context of your essay. Here are the key takeaways for how to write essay introduction: 3
- Hook the Reader : Start with an engaging hook to grab the reader’s attention. This could be a compelling question, a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or an anecdote.
- Provide Background : Give a brief overview of the topic, setting the context and stage for the discussion.
- Thesis Statement : State your thesis, which is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be concise, clear, and specific.
- Preview the Structure : Outline the main points or arguments to help the reader understand the organization of your essay.
- Keep it Concise : Avoid including unnecessary details or information not directly related to your thesis.
- Revise and Edit : Revise your introduction to ensure clarity, coherence, and relevance. Check for grammar and spelling errors.
- Seek Feedback : Get feedback from peers or instructors to improve your introduction further.
The purpose of an essay introduction is to give an overview of the topic, context, and main ideas of the essay. It is meant to engage the reader, establish the tone for the rest of the essay, and introduce the thesis statement or central argument.
An essay introduction typically ranges from 5-10% of the total word count. For example, in a 1,000-word essay, the introduction would be roughly 50-100 words. However, the length can vary depending on the complexity of the topic and the overall length of the essay.
An essay introduction is critical in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. To ensure its effectiveness, consider incorporating these key elements: a compelling hook, background information, a clear thesis statement, an outline of the essay’s scope, a smooth transition to the body, and optional signposting sentences.
The process of writing an essay introduction is not necessarily straightforward, but there are several strategies that can be employed to achieve this end. When experiencing difficulty initiating the process, consider the following techniques: begin with an anecdote, a quotation, an image, a question, or a startling fact to pique the reader’s interest. It may also be helpful to consider the five W’s of journalism: who, what, when, where, why, and how. For instance, an anecdotal opening could be structured as follows: “As I ascended the stage, momentarily blinded by the intense lights, I could sense the weight of a hundred eyes upon me, anticipating my next move. The topic of discussion was climate change, a subject I was passionate about, and it was my first public speaking event. Little did I know , that pivotal moment would not only alter my perspective but also chart my life’s course.”
Crafting a compelling thesis statement for your introduction paragraph is crucial to grab your reader’s attention. To achieve this, avoid using overused phrases such as “In this paper, I will write about” or “I will focus on” as they lack originality. Instead, strive to engage your reader by substantiating your stance or proposition with a “so what” clause. While writing your thesis statement, aim to be precise, succinct, and clear in conveying your main argument.
To create an effective essay introduction, ensure it is clear, engaging, relevant, and contains a concise thesis statement. It should transition smoothly into the essay and be long enough to cover necessary points but not become overwhelming. Seek feedback from peers or instructors to assess its effectiveness.
References
- Cui, L. (2022). Unit 6 Essay Introduction. Building Academic Writing Skills .
- West, H., Malcolm, G., Keywood, S., & Hill, J. (2019). Writing a successful essay. Journal of Geography in Higher Education , 43 (4), 609-617.
- Beavers, M. E., Thoune, D. L., & McBeth, M. (2023). Bibliographic Essay: Reading, Researching, Teaching, and Writing with Hooks: A Queer Literacy Sponsorship. College English, 85(3), 230-242.
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How to Start a College Essay to Hook Your Reader
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Where to Get Your Essay Edited for Free
Have you sat down to write your essay and just hit a wall of writer’s block? Do you have too many ideas running around your head, or maybe no ideas at all?
Starting a college essay is potentially the hardest part of the application process. Once you start, it’s easy to keep writing, but that initial hurdle is just so difficult to overcome. We’ve put together a list of tips to help you jump that wall and make your essay the best it can be.
The introduction to a college essay should immediately hook the reader. You want to give admissions officers a reason to stay interested in your story and encourage them to continue reading your essay with an open mind. Remember that admissions officers are only able to spend a couple minutes per essay, so if you bore them or turn them off from the start, they may clock out for the rest of the essay.
As a whole, the college essay should aim to portray a part of your personality that hasn’t been covered by your GPA, extracurriculars, and test scores. This makes the introduction a crucial part of the essay. Think of it as the first glimpse, an intriguing lead on, into the read rest of your essay which also showcases your voice and personality.
Brainstorm Topics
Take the time to sit down and brainstorm some good topic ideas for your essay. You want your topic to be meaningful to you, while also displaying a part of you that isn’t apparent in other aspects of your application. The essay is an opportunity to show admissions officers the “real you.” If you have a topic in mind, do not feel pressured to start with the introduction. Sometimes the best essay openings are developed last, once you fully grasp the flow of your story.
Do a Freewrite
Give yourself permission to write without judgment for an allotted period of time. For each topic you generated in your brainstorm session, do a free-write session. Set a time for one minute and write down whatever comes to mind for that specific topic. This will help get the juices flowing and push you over that initial bit of writer’s block that’s so common when it comes time to write a college essay. Repeat this exercise if you’re feeling stuck at any point during the essay writing process. Freewriting is a great way to warm up your creative writing brain whilst seeing which topics are flowing more naturally onto the page.
Create an Outline
Once you’ve chosen your topic, write an outline for your whole essay. It’s easier to organize all your thoughts, write the body, and then go back to write the introduction. That way, you already know the direction you want your essay to go because you’ve actually written it out, and you can ensure that your introduction leads directly into the rest of the essay. Admissions officers are looking for the quality of your writing alongside the content of your essay. To be prepared for college-level writing, students should understand how to logically structure an essay. By creating an outline, you are setting yourself up to be judged favorably on the quality of your writing skills.
1. The Scriptwriter
“No! Make it stop! Get me out!” My 5-year-old self waved my arms frantically in front of my face in the darkened movie theater.
Starting your essay with dialogue instantly transports the reader into the story, while also introducing your personal voice. In the rest of the essay, the author proposes a class that introduces people to insects as a type of food. Typically, one would begin directly with the course proposal. However, the author’s inclusion of this flashback weaves in a personal narrative, further displaying her true self.
Read the full essay.
2. The Shocker
A chaotic sense of sickness and filth unfolds in an overcrowded border station in McAllen, Texas. Through soundproof windows, migrants motion that they have not showered in weeks, and children wear clothes caked in mucus and tears. The humanitarian crisis at the southern border exists not only in photographs published by mainstream media, but miles from my home in South Texas.
This essay opener is also a good example of “The Vivid Imaginer.” In this case, the detailed imagery only serves to heighten the shock factor. While people may be aware of the “humanitarian crisis at the southern border,” reading about it in such stark terms is bound to capture the reader’s attention. Through this hook, the reader learns a bit about the author’s home life; an aspect of the student that may not be detailed elsewhere in their application. The rest of the essay goes on to talk about the author’s passion for aiding refugees, and this initial paragraph immediately establishes the author’s personal connection to the refugee crisis.
3. The Vivid Imaginer
The air is crisp and cool, nipping at my ears as I walk under a curtain of darkness that drapes over the sky, starless. It is a Friday night in downtown Corpus Christi, a rare moment of peace in my home city filled with the laughter of strangers and colorful lights of street vendors. But I cannot focus.
Starting off with a bit of well-written imagery transports the reader to wherever you want to take them. By putting them in this context with you, you allow the reader to closely understand your thoughts and emotions in this situation. Additionally, this method showcases the author’s individual way of looking at the world, a personal touch that is the baseline of all college essays.
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4. The Instant Plunger
The flickering LED lights began to form into a face of a man when I focused my eyes. The man spoke of a ruthless serial killer of the decade who had been arrested in 2004, and my parents shivered at his reaccounting of the case. I curiously tuned in, wondering who he was to speak of such crimes with concrete composure and knowledge. Later, he introduced himself as a profiler named Pyo Chang Won, and I watched the rest of the program by myself without realizing that my parents had left the couch.
Plunging readers into the middle of a story (also known as in medias res ) is an effective hook because it captures attention by placing the reader directly into the action. The descriptive imagery in the first sentence also helps to immerse the reader, creating a satisfying hook while also showing (instead of telling) how the author became interested in criminology. With this technique, it is important to “zoom out,” so to speak, in such a way that the essay remains personal to you.
5. The Philosopher
Saved in the Notes app on my phone are three questions: What can I know? What must I do? What may I hope for? First asked by Immanuel Kant, these questions guide my pursuit of knowledge and organization of critical thought, both skills that are necessary to move our country and society forward in the right direction.
Posing philosophical questions helps present you as someone with deep ideas while also guiding the focus of your essay. In a way, it presents the reader with a roadmap; they know that these questions provide the theme for the rest of the essay. The more controversial the questions, the more gripping a hook you can create.
Providing an answer to these questions is not necessarily as important as making sure that the discussions they provoke really showcase you and your own values and beliefs.
6. The Storyteller
One Christmas morning, when I was nine, I opened a snap circuit set from my grandmother. Although I had always loved math and science, I didn’t realize my passion for engineering until I spent the rest of winter break creating different circuits to power various lights, alarms, and sensors. Even after I outgrew the toy, I kept the set in my bedroom at home and knew I wanted to study engineering.
Beginning with an anecdote is a strong way to establish a meaningful connection with the content itself. It also shows that the topic you write about has been a part of your life for a significant amount of time, and something that college admissions officers look for in activities is follow-through; they want to make sure that you are truly interested in something. A personal story such as the one above shows off just that.
Cliche College Essay Introductions to Avoid
Ambiguous introduction.
It’s best to avoid introductory sentences that don’t seem to really say anything at all, such as “Science plays a large role in today’s society,” or “X has existed since the beginning of time.” Statements like these, in addition to being extremely common, don’t demonstrate anything about you, the author. Without a personal connection to you right away, it’s easy for the admissions officer to write off the essay before getting past the first sentence.
Quoting Someone Famous
While having a quotation by a famous author, celebrity, or someone else you admire may seem like a good way to allow the reader to get to know you, these kinds of introductions are actually incredibly overused. You also risk making your essay all about the quotation and the famous person who said it; admissions officers want to get to know you, your beliefs, and your values, not someone who isn’t applying to their school. There are some cases where you may actually be asked to write about a quotation, and that’s fine, but you should avoid starting your essay with someone else’s words outside of this case. It is fine, however, to start with dialogue to plunge your readers into a specific moment.
Talking About Writing an Essay
This method is also very commonplace and is thus best avoided. It’s better to show, not tell, and all this method allows you to do is tell the reader how you were feeling at the time of writing the essay. If you do feel compelled to go this way, make sure to include vivid imagery and focus on grounding the essay in the five senses, which can help elevate your introduction and separate it from the many other meta essays.
Childhood Memories
Phrases like “Ever since I was young…” or “I’ve always wanted…” also lend more to telling rather than showing. If you want to talk about your childhood or past feelings in your essay, try using one of the techniques listed earlier (such as the Instant Plunger or the Vivid Imaginer) to elevate your writing.
CollegeVine has a peer essay review page where peers can tell you if your introduction was enough to hook them. Getting feedback from someone who hasn’t read your essay before, and thus doesn’t have any context which may bias them to be more forgiving to your introduction, is helpful because it mimics the same environment in which an admissions officer will be reading your essay.
Writing a college essay is hard, but with these tips hopefully starting it will be a little easier!
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Staring at a blank page, not knowing how to start your essay introduction can certainly be daunting! You may spend hours pondering over the introduction of your essay, while the deadline draws closer each day. However, the formula for a great introduction paragraph is not that complex.
Different types of essays use different forms of introductions. But a good introduction should grab the reader’s attention from the get-go! It should also equip the reader with essential background information and acquaint them with the main idea of your essay.
In this article, we’ll guide you on how to start off an essay with a bang. We’ll also brief you on a few essay introduction examples. Let’s start by understanding how to write an introduction for an essay.
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How to start an essay
In order to understand how to start an essay, we need to first take a look at its different components. The introduction to an essay consists of three main parts:
1. Hook: Attractive opening line that draws the reader’s attention
2. Background information: Relevant information that revolves around the thesis statement
3. Thesis statement: The main argument or idea of your essay
You can also provide an overview, which gives the reader a glimpse of what is to come. But make sure that this structure is very brief.
There are several ways to start an essay. But, any changes to the content of your essay may lead to significant revisions in your introduction.
We suggest that you simply develop a rough thesis statement and save the essay introduction paragraph for the end. Once you have completed the rest of your work, you can use the following steps to understand how to start an essay introduction:
1. Begin with an attractive hook
In order to understand how to start an introduction in an essay, we must first focus on the hook. An effective opening statement, or a “hook”, aims to intrigue the reader. An attractive opening statement essentially hooks the reader to your essay. It should be fairly concise but should still provide insight into the main point of your essay.
Although the goal of the opening statement is the same for all essay types, different essays use different types of hooks. Since essay types are highly diverse, an opening statement that works for one type of essay may not always work for the other. Hence, it’s crucial to refer to different types of opening statements.
Let’s understand this with the help of the following opening statements:
A. Interesting fact or statistic
Begin your essay with a shocking, seemingly unbelievable fact that makes the reader want to delve further into your essay. This type of opener is especially useful for persuasive and expository essays .
A key thing to consider while using this opener is to make sure it ties to the rest of your introduction. Relevancy is key to an effective opener.
Let’s take a look at a few examples:
The richest 1% of the world’s population owns more wealth than the remaining 99% combined. As the gap between the ultra-rich and the rest of society continues to widen, questions about fairness, social mobility, and the sustainability of such a system become increasingly critical to address.
Approximately 450 million people worldwide are currently living with mental health disorders, yet stigma and discrimination persist, preventing many from seeking the help they desperately need.
The universe is estimated to contain more than 2 trillion galaxies, each harboring billions of stars. With such mind-boggling vastness, the question arises: Are we alone?
B. Question
Wondering how to start an introduction in an essay using a unique format? Just ask a question! Starting off your essay with a question makes your essay more interactive, as it directly addresses the reader. It adds an element of interest to your essay making it much more engaging as compared to a passive, boring statement.
It also encourages the reader to form their own opinion on a particular topic. This type of opener is best suited for persuasive and argumentative essays .
Here are a few examples:
Are we playing with nature’s blueprint while unlocking unprecedented medical breakthroughs? Delving into the ethical considerations surrounding genetic engineering opens up Pandora’s box of questions about the balance between scientific progress, ethical boundaries, and the long-term consequences for humanity.
Is personal privacy a casualty of the digital age, or can we strike a balance between technological convenience and safeguarding our personal information? Examining the implications of surveillance, data collection, and cybersecurity challenges us to reassess the boundaries of privacy in an interconnected world.
Can machines truly possess intelligence and consciousness? Exploring the ethical and philosophical implications of AI raises fundamental questions about the nature of humanity and the boundaries of technological advancement.
C. Dramatized opening
We’ve already taken a look at how to start an essay introduction for different types of academic essays. Hence, we must also figure out how to start a paragraph in an essay when it comes to creative writing.
Innovative and dramatic opening statements are key factors in creative essay types. These openings are used to create a scene that the reader can step into.
This type of opening is commonly used in personal essays , narrative essays , and descriptive essays. However, they can also be used in persuasive essays to put across your point.
Let’s take a look:
In the depths of a moonlit forest, a lone figure emerged, carrying the weight of a secret that would unravel the very fabric of their existence.
Nestled amidst emerald green hills, a quaint village exuded an old-world charm. Its cobblestone streets were lined with charming cottages adorned with cascading flowers.
The ancient ruins stand stoic and weathered, their crumbling stone walls echoing the whispers of history. For centuries, this city has invited visitors to step back in time and unravel their enigmatic stories.
D. Impactful quote
Another key technique to kick off your opening statement is to impart knowledge from experts. This can be done with the help of a powerful quote that foreshadows the theme and topic of your essay.
This technique is highly versatile and can be used for all essay types. However, it is key to take into account that your opening quote is relevant to the rest of your essay. An unrelated quote may have the opposite effect and may confuse the reader!
Here are a few impactful opening quotes:
According to Winston Churchill “The Industrial Revolution was a revolution of profound consequences, an age of wonders that turned the wheels of progress and forever changed the course of human history.” According to the recent evidence, this statement seems to ring true.
“The pain of mental illness knows no boundaries of age, and in the battle against depression, it is our duty to lend a helping hand and provide a ray of hope to the young souls navigating through the darkness.” A profound statement quoted by first lady, Michelle Obama. Mental health disorders affect millions of people worldwide, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized the global burden of mental health as a significant public health challenge. However, many people do not receive the necessary mental health care they need due to various social, and economic barriers.
As famous anthropologist Jane Goodall correctly pointed out, “Genetic modification holds the key to unlocking the mysteries of life, but we must tread cautiously, for with great power comes great responsibility.” While genetic modification holds tremendous potential to improve agriculture, healthcare, and overall human well-being, we can’t turn a blind eye to the potential dangers and ethical concerns associated with this practice.
E. Main idea
Some essays require no beating around the bush and should get straight to the point. The goal is to be as clear, concise, and succinct as possible.
In such cases, it is a good idea to simply begin your essay with the main idea. This sort of opening statement is especially useful for analytical and argumentative essays as it immediately conveys your stance on an argument.
Here are a few succinct opening statements:
Smoking should be universally prohibited due to its severe health risks for both smokers and involuntary bystanders, its strain on public healthcare systems, and its negative impact on societal well-being.
Subsidized college education is crucial to the development of society. It enhances accessibility, promotes social mobility, reduces disparities, and empowers individuals to contribute to the economy.
Dismissing emotional support animals as a scam overlooks their well-documented therapeutic benefits of providing genuine support to individuals with mental health issues.
Now that we’ve understood how to start a paragraph in an essay with the help of a hook, let’s move on to providing the necessary context.
2. Provide essential background information
The introduction to an essay consists of more than just a hook and the main idea. In order to learn how to start an introduction for an essay, it is crucial to understand what background information needs to be included in your introduction. The goal is to acquaint the reader with the background of your topic or argument without getting into the specifics. The background information may include:
- Historical and social background
- Geographical facts
- Past research or theories on a particular argument
- Definition of terminologies in case of a highly technical essay
Although the background information provides context to your thesis statement, it should be highly generalized. It is a good idea to save the more detailed bits for the body paragraphs. The length and scope of your background information depend on the complexity of your essay. But keep it fairly broad and do not delve into the specifics.
Let’s take a look at a few examples of background information:
The following example provides background information for the topic “Why Domestication of Wild Animals Should Be Prohibited”.
Wild animals play critical roles in maintaining ecological balance within their natural habitats. Removing them from their natural environments disrupts the delicate balance of ecosystems, leading to potential negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Here’s an essay introduction example on the topic “Experiencing the Beauty of Hana Matsuri in Japan”:
Hana Matsuri, also known as the “Flower Festival” or “Buddha’s Birthday,” is a significant annual festival celebrated in Japan to commemorate the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became known as Buddha. The festival takes place on April 8th or the nearest Sunday, depending on the region.
The final example is based on the topic ”Changes in the Post-Covid Work Culture”.
Pre-pandemic, many organizations had a traditional office-based work culture, where employees would commute to a physical workspace and work regular hours. This allowed for face-to-face interactions, team collaboration, and a sense of community among coworkers.
3. Present your main idea or thesis statement
In order to construct an impactful introductory paragraph, its foundation must be strong. It is crucial to construct a rough idea of your thesis statement even before writing an introducton paragraph. A good thesis statement should be broad enough to be elaborated on. But you need to make sure that it’s not too broad since an overabundance of information will make the essay tedious to work upon.
The thesis statement is the most important part of your essay. It is the premise or argument upon which the entire essay is based. A good thesis statement summarizes the main argument of your essay in just a few sentences.
Let’s take a look at a few impactful thesis statements:
The following thesis statement is based on the topic “Harvesting the Rain”.
Rainwater harvesting represents a sustainable and effective solution to combat water scarcity by capturing and utilizing rainfall, thereby alleviating the pressures on traditional water sources, promoting self-sufficiency, and fostering long-term environmental and societal resilience.
Here’s an example of a thesis statement for the topic “Unveiling the Mysteries of the Medieval World”:
The medieval period, characterized by its rich tapestry of cultural, social, and political developments, shaped the course of history through its influence on governance, religion, arts, and the emergence of a distinct feudal system.
Here’s one on the topic “Tracing the Journey of Canine Domestication”:
The domestication of dogs, a complex process spanning thousands of years, not only transformed wolves into loyal companions but also had profound impacts on human society.
4. Provide a general overview
Although this step is optional, it is a good idea to provide a general overview of your essay in the introduction paragraph. This is especially beneficial for longer essays. It gives the reader a gist of what is to be expected and the points that you will be covering.
Let’s take a look at a few examples:
The following overview is for the topic “Life in the Victorian Era”.
The essay begins with a discussion of social segregation and class division in the Victorian era. It then highlights the impact of the industrial revolution on Victorian society. Finally, it discusses the influence of Victorian morals, values, and art on modern society.
Now that we’ve figured out how to write introductions for essays let’s take a look at a few introduction examples for essays.
Essay introduction examples
To guide you in your essay writing journey, we’ve also provided a few good introductions for essays. Since different essay types have different types of introduction paragraphs, we’ve provided examples of how to start an essay for the four main essay types (narrative, descriptive, argumentative, and expository essay).
Narrative essay introduction example
The following narrative essay introduction example revolves around the everyday struggles faced by a person of color living as an immigrant in a foreign nation.
- Background information
- Thesis statement
As the sun rose on a seemingly ordinary day, little did I know that it would mark the beginning of a journey that would shape my identity, challenge my perceptions, and lead me to discover the profound significance of being a person of color. In a world that prides itself on diversity and equality, the lived experiences of individuals from marginalized communities often remain obscured, untold, and overshadowed by dominant narratives. However, I am unafraid to delve into the depths of my personal journey. Through the exploration of pivotal moments, encounters, and self-reflection, I will unveil the complexities and nuances of my life, shedding light on the triumphs, struggles, and transformative experiences that have shaped my understanding of self, others, and the world around me.
Descriptive essay introduction example
The following descriptive essay introduction highlights the beauty of a leisurely walk through the park.
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, where time slips through our fingers like grains of sand, there exists a tranquil refuge—a haven where the frenetic pace slows and the soul finds solace. This refuge is none other than a park—a sanctuary of greenery, a tapestry of serenity nestled within the heart of urban landscapes. It is a place where nature’s gentle symphony mingles with the whispers of the wind, where vibrant hues dance on the canvas of the sky, and where the weary spirit finds respite in the embrace of tranquility. Through the lens of this leisurely stroll, we can unravel the secrets of nature’s embrace, illuminating how a simple walk in the park can rejuvenate our senses, soothe our souls, and reconnect us with the innate beauty of the natural world.
Argumentative essay introduction example
The following argumentative essay introduction revolves around the age-old debate of nature vs. nurture.
The eternal question of whether our genes or our environment shape us as individuals has sparked a timeless debate—the battle between nature and nurture. The nature versus nurture debate revolves around the influence of our genetic inheritance (nature) and the impact of our environment (nurture) on our development, behavior, and essence. The nature perspective argues for the predominance of our innate characteristics determined by our genes, while the nurture perspective emphasizes the crucial role of external factors such as upbringing, social interactions, and cultural influences in shaping our identities. However, a deeper exploration reveals a dynamic interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental factors in human development. The integration of both nature and nurture is essential for comprehending the complexities of individual growth, transcending the boundaries of a simplistic dichotomy.
Expository essay introduction example
The following expository essay introduction describes the world before the advent of the internet and other digital devices.
- Background information
Picture a world without smartphones, social media, or instant connectivity—a time when information was sought from physical encyclopedias, conversations happened face-to-face, and the written word carried a tangible weight. Before the digital age emerged communication, information retrieval, and daily life unfolded through traditional means. Printed books, landline telephones, handwritten letters, and physical newspapers formed the foundation of knowledge dissemination and interpersonal connections. During this analog era, people relied on physical maps for navigation, shopping in brick-and-mortar stores, and cherished personal photo albums to safeguard memories. It was an era that demanded patience and perseverance to acquire information and establish connections. The pre-digital age offered a distinctive combination of challenges and opportunities, providing a glimpse into a simpler, more deliberate way of life. Through an exploration of its defining characteristics, we can gain deeper insights into the impact of the digital revolution on society.
Now that you’ve discovered how to write an essay introduction, you can use this information to create an engaging introduction. After you create your introduction and write the rest of the essay, you’ll also need to edit your essay. Since we provide essay editing services , we’d love to make your work easier.
We’ve also created many resources to help you write high-quality essays and resolve any confusion you may have. Bookmark the resources given below to write the best essay!
- How to Write a Conclusion for an Essay (Examples Included!)
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- Compare and Contrast Essay | Quick Guide with Examples
- Narrative Essay | Step-by-Step Guide with Examples
- 8 Types of Essays | Quick Summary with Examples
Frequently Asked Questions
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Essay Introduction Examples
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Written by Scribendi
Always have a road map for an essay introduction . Having a strong essay introduction structure is critical to a successful paper. It sets the tone for the reader and interests them in your work. It also tells them what the essay is about and why they should read it at all.
It shouldn't leave the reader confused with a cliffhanger at the end. Instead, it should generate interest and guide the reader to Chapter One. Using the right parts of an essay introduction can help with this.
Check out an effective essay introduction structure below. It’s a road map for writing an essay—just like the parts of essay introductions are road maps for readers.
Essay Introduction Structure
Attention-grabbing start
Outline of argument
Thesis statement
Some academics find the beginning the most difficult part of writing an essay , so our editors have created some examples of good essay introductions to guide you. Let's take a look at the samples below to see how the essay introduction structures come together.
If you are unsure about your paper, our essay editors would love to give you some feedback on how to write an essay introduction.
[1] According to Paul Ratsmith, the tenuous but nonetheless important relationship between pumpkins and rats is little understood: "While I've always been fascinated by this natural kinship, the connection between pumpkins and rats has been the subject of few, if any, other studies" (2008). [2] Ratsmith has been studying this connection, something he coined "pumpkinology," since the early 1990s. He is most well known for documenting the three years he spent living in the wild among pumpkins and rats. [3] Though it is a topic of little recent interest, the relationship has been noted in several ancient texts and seems to have been well understood by the Romans. Critics of Ratsmith have cited poor science and questionable methodology when dismissing his results, going so far as to call pumpkinology "rubbish" (de Vil, 2009), "stupid" (Claw, 2010), and "quite possibly made up" (Igthorn, 2009). [4] Despite these criticisms, there does appear to be a strong correlation between pumpkin patches and rat populations, with Ratsmith documenting numerous pumpkin–rat colonies across North America, leading to the conclusion that pumpkins and rats are indeed "nature's best friends" (2008).
Let's break down this example of a good essay introduction structure. The beginning hooks our attention from the get-go in section one. This is because it piques our curiosity. What is this strange relationship? Why has no one studied it? Then, section two gives us context for the topic. Ratsmith is an expert in a controversial field: pumpkinology. It's the study of the connection between pumpkins and rats.
The second half of the paragraph also demonstrates why this is a good essay introduction example. Section three gives us the main argument: the topic is rarely studied because critics think Ratsmith's work is "rubbish," but the relationship between pumpkins and rats has ancient roots. Then section four gives us the thesis statement: Ratsmith's work has some merit.
The parts of an essay introduction help us chart a course through the topic. We know the paper will take us on a journey. It's all because the author practiced how to write an essay introduction.
Let’s take a look at another example of a good essay introduction.
[1] Societies have long believed that if a black cat crosses one's path, one might have bad luck—but it wasn't until King Charles I's black cat died that the ruler's bad luck began (Pemberton, 2018). [2] Indeed, for centuries, black cats have been seen as the familiars of witches—as demonic associates of Satan who disrespect authority (Yuko, 2021). Yet, they have also been associated with good luck, from England's rulers to long-distance sailors (Cole, 2021). [3] This essay shows how outdated the bad luck superstition really is. It provides a comprehensive history of the belief and then provides proof that this superstition has no place in today's modern society. [4] It argues that despite the prevailing belief that animals cause bad luck, black cats often bring what seems to be "good luck" and deserve a new reputation.
This example of a good essay introduction pulls us in right away. This is because section one provides an interesting fact about King Charles I. What is the story there, and what bad luck did he experience after his cat passed away? Then, section two provides us with general information about the current status of black cats. We understand the context of the essay and why the topic is controversial.
Section three then gives us a road map that leads us through the main arguments. Finally, section four gives us the essay's thesis: "black cats often bring what seems to be 'good luck' and deserve a new reputation."
Still feeling unsure about how to write an essay introduction? Here's another example using the essay introduction structure we discussed earlier.
[1] When the Lutz family moved into a new house in Amityville, New York, they found themselves terrorized by a vengeful ghost (Labianca, 2021). Since then, their famous tale has been debunked by scientists and the family themselves (Smith, 2005). [2] Yet ghost stories have gripped human consciousness for centuries (History, 2009). Scientists, researchers, and theorists alike have argued whether ghosts are simply figments of the imagination or real things that go bump in the night. In considering this question, many scientists have stated that ghosts may actually exist. [3] Lindley (2017) believes the answer may be in the quantum world, which "just doesn’t work the way the world around us works," but "we don’t really have the concepts to deal with it." Scientific studies on the existence of ghosts date back hundreds of years (History, 2009), and technology has undergone a vast evolution since then (Lamey, 2018). State-of-the-art tools and concepts can now reveal more about ghosts than we've ever known (Kane, 2015). [4] This essay uses these tools to provide definitive proof of the existence of ghosts in the quantum realm.
This example of a good essay introduction uses a slightly different strategy than the others. To hook the reader, it begins with an interesting anecdote related to the topic. That pulls us in, making us wonder what really happened to the Lutzs. Then, section two provides us with some background information about the topic to help us understand. Many people believe ghosts aren't real, but some scientists think they are.
This immediately flows into section three, which charts a course through the main arguments the essay will make. Finally, it ends with the essay's thesis: there is definitive proof of the existence of ghosts in the quantum realm. It all works because the author used the parts of an essay introduction well.
For attention-grabbing introductions, an understanding of essay introduction structure and how to write an essay introduction is required.
Our essay introduction examples showing the parts of an essay introduction will help you craft the beginning paragraph you need to start your writing journey on the right foot.
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The writer of the academic essay aims to persuade readers of an idea based on evidence. The beginning of the essay is a crucial first step in this process. In order to engage readers and establish your authority, the beginning of your essay has to accomplish certain business. Your beginning should introduce the essay, focus it, and orient readers.
Introduce the Essay. The beginning lets your readers know what the essay is about, the topic . The essay's topic does not exist in a vacuum, however; part of letting readers know what your essay is about means establishing the essay's context , the frame within which you will approach your topic. For instance, in an essay about the First Amendment guarantee of freedom of speech, the context may be a particular legal theory about the speech right; it may be historical information concerning the writing of the amendment; it may be a contemporary dispute over flag burning; or it may be a question raised by the text itself. The point here is that, in establishing the essay's context, you are also limiting your topic. That is, you are framing an approach to your topic that necessarily eliminates other approaches. Thus, when you determine your context, you simultaneously narrow your topic and take a big step toward focusing your essay. Here's an example.
was published in 1899, critics condemned the book as immoral. One typical critic, writing in the , feared that the novel might "fall into the hands of youth, leading them to dwell on things that only matured persons can understand, and promoting unholy imaginations and unclean desires" (150). A reviewer in the wrote that "there is much that is very improper in it, not to say positively unseemly." |
The paragraph goes on. But as you can see, Chopin's novel (the topic) is introduced in the context of the critical and moral controversy its publication engendered.
Focus the Essay. Beyond introducing your topic, your beginning must also let readers know what the central issue is. What question or problem will you be thinking about? You can pose a question that will lead to your idea (in which case, your idea will be the answer to your question), or you can make a thesis statement. Or you can do both: you can ask a question and immediately suggest the answer that your essay will argue. Here's an example from an essay about Memorial Hall.
The fullness of your idea will not emerge until your conclusion, but your beginning must clearly indicate the direction your idea will take, must set your essay on that road. And whether you focus your essay by posing a question, stating a thesis, or combining these approaches, by the end of your beginning, readers should know what you're writing about, and why —and why they might want to read on.
Orient Readers. Orienting readers, locating them in your discussion, means providing information and explanations wherever necessary for your readers' understanding. Orienting is important throughout your essay, but it is crucial in the beginning. Readers who don't have the information they need to follow your discussion will get lost and quit reading. (Your teachers, of course, will trudge on.) Supplying the necessary information to orient your readers may be as simple as answering the journalist's questions of who, what, where, when, how, and why. It may mean providing a brief overview of events or a summary of the text you'll be analyzing. If the source text is brief, such as the First Amendment, you might just quote it. If the text is well known, your summary, for most audiences, won't need to be more than an identifying phrase or two:
, Shakespeare's tragedy of `star-crossed lovers' destroyed by the blood feud between their two families, the minor characters . . . |
Often, however, you will want to summarize your source more fully so that readers can follow your analysis of it.
Questions of Length and Order. How long should the beginning be? The length should be proportionate to the length and complexity of the whole essay. For instance, if you're writing a five-page essay analyzing a single text, your beginning should be brief, no more than one or two paragraphs. On the other hand, it may take a couple of pages to set up a ten-page essay.
Does the business of the beginning have to be addressed in a particular order? No, but the order should be logical. Usually, for instance, the question or statement that focuses the essay comes at the end of the beginning, where it serves as the jumping-off point for the middle, or main body, of the essay. Topic and context are often intertwined, but the context may be established before the particular topic is introduced. In other words, the order in which you accomplish the business of the beginning is flexible and should be determined by your purpose.
Opening Strategies. There is still the further question of how to start. What makes a good opening? You can start with specific facts and information, a keynote quotation, a question, an anecdote, or an image. But whatever sort of opening you choose, it should be directly related to your focus. A snappy quotation that doesn't help establish the context for your essay or that later plays no part in your thinking will only mislead readers and blur your focus. Be as direct and specific as you can be. This means you should avoid two types of openings:
- The history-of-the-world (or long-distance) opening, which aims to establish a context for the essay by getting a long running start: "Ever since the dawn of civilized life, societies have struggled to reconcile the need for change with the need for order." What are we talking about here, political revolution or a new brand of soft drink? Get to it.
- The funnel opening (a variation on the same theme), which starts with something broad and general and "funnels" its way down to a specific topic. If your essay is an argument about state-mandated prayer in public schools, don't start by generalizing about religion; start with the specific topic at hand.
Remember. After working your way through the whole draft, testing your thinking against the evidence, perhaps changing direction or modifying the idea you started with, go back to your beginning and make sure it still provides a clear focus for the essay. Then clarify and sharpen your focus as needed. Clear, direct beginnings rarely present themselves ready-made; they must be written, and rewritten, into the sort of sharp-eyed clarity that engages readers and establishes your authority.
Copyright 1999, Patricia Kain, for the Writing Center at Harvard University
Grammar check | Essay checker | Writing checker
October 10, 2018
30 Kickass Ways to Start an Essay
by Nicholas Walker , under IELTS and TOEFL , Writing skills
The purpose of the first sentence in your essay is to make your reader want to read your next sentence. In truth, every sentence you write has the same purpose: to keep them reading to the end.
So, you have to start off strong. Your first sentence has to have some impact on the reader or you risk your essay being tossed aside never to be picked up again.
Try to feel my pain. As your reader, the last thing I want to read is some dry announcement about your plan for your essay, “ In my essay, I will blah blah blah .” Yuck! I would rather read a grocery list!
And you can do better than that.
A martial artist once told me, “If you want to win a fight, hit first and hit hard.” With that in mind, here are 30 sentence types that will hit your reader hard at the beginning of your fight for his or her attention.
My advice to you is to take 30 minutes to compose 30 of your own sentences using each structure and example to guide you. Don’t labour over each one. Some will be easy. Some not so much.
Once you have your list of 30 kickass sentences, copy and paste your own sentences into the Virtual Writing Tutor grammar checker to check for errors .
Of course, you should become a member of the Virtual Writing Tutor first–if you aren’t one already–because then the system will save your sentences to your profile for you to review later. (Yes, membership is 100% free, and no, we don’t send spam.)
1. Not this, but that.
Example: A moral code is not a hindrance to true success– it’s a necessity.
Structure : ____ is not a ______ — it’s a _______.
Comment: Say what something is not (or should not be) so that you can say what it is (or should be). Notice the dash. It joins two short sentences, one negative and one affirmative. You can join your sentences with a semicolon or a comma* if you prefer.
*Strictly speaking, using a comma to join two sentences is usually called a comma splice error, but because the sentences are short, your reader will will interpret the sentence as a stylistic sentence rather than a comma splice error.
2. Use “ better off than ” to highlight an advantage.
Example : A society with minimal restrictions on the expression of ideas and opinions is better off than a society with a propensity to censor.
Example : A person with talent is better off than a person with training.
Structure : ________is better off than __________.
Comment: The phrase “better than” compares two things directly, whereas the phrase “better off than” compares starting points. It tells the reader that one has an advantage the other doesn’t have.
3. Compare adjectives with “ being ___ is better than being ___ “
Example : Being realistic is better than being heedlessly optimistic.
Structure: Being _______ is better than being ________.
Comment: Nouns are easy to compare, but when we compare adjectives we need the word “being” in front of them. This structure makes short, punchy claims easy to write, which make it easy for your reader to keep reading.
4. Show equality with “ just as .”
Example : Apathy is just as harmful to humans as a physical disease .
Structure : ____ is just as _______ as _______.
Comment : If you are asked to discuss to two things and give your opinion, it can be a good idea to show how two things are equal in way before getting into their differences.
5. Introduce alternatives with “ between ___ and ___ .”
Example : Between the nation state and the individual, the nation state is more important by far.
Structure: Between X and Y, X is best .
Comment: By offering two alternatives and then naming the first alternative again with a claim to its superiority, you create a sentence with a repeated element. The repetition creates an impact by making the repeated element more memorable. Poetry and song lyrics use repetition with this same intention.
6. Announce your plan to categorize with “ fit into a range of .”
Example : Courageous deeds fit into a range of categories.
Structure: Xs fit into a range of categories.
Comment: After an opening sentence like this, you must keep your promise to categorize examples of “courageous deeds” into multiple types.
7. Say how something resists categorization with “ go beyond .”
Example : Dreams go beyond career choices and material desires .
Structure: Xs go beyond Ys and Zs.
Comment: Notice how the three items in the example are all plurals. Keep your items parallel when using this sentence structure. Also, notice how saying dreams go beyond make dreams bigger and more important than the other items mentioned. Readers will be curious how. Don’t disappoint.
8. Say where concepts originate.
Example: Established values in a society originate in culture, religion, and the hopes and dreams that a country was founded upon.
Plural Structure: Xs originate in Y and Z.
Singular Structure: X originates in Y and Z.
Comment : Saying where something originates opens the door to illustrations from the past. An essay with a first sentence like this will practically write itself.
9. Show surprising resilience with “ even with .”
Example: Even with the divorce rate of 50% Americans remain dedicated to the idea of family and community.
Example : Despite a string of serious allegations, voters continue to support their president.
Structure : Even with / Despite _______, Xs remain _________.
Comment : Sentences that show us the surprising resilience of a state of affairs despite a factor that works against it make readers curious about why it is so. Make no mistake. Notice “even with” introduces past and present situations, while “even if” tells the reader about the future.
10. Virtually disappeared .
Example: Good manners have virtually disappeared from our self-centered world.
Structure: ___ has virtually disappeared.
Comment: “Virtually” means “nearly or almost.” If you say that good manners have disappeared, your reader may say to him or herself, “Nonsense! I have good manners.” If this happens, you will have an uphill battle on your hands. Your reader will resist you. But if you say that good manners have virtually disappeared, that is much harder to contradict and should arouse curiosity instead.
11. Imagine a world without something.
Example: Imagine a world without the light bulb, without civil rights, or without the personal computer.
Structure: Imagine a world without ___, without ___, or without ___.
Comment: Imagining a different world arouses the reader’s imagination and curiosity. All you have to do after a sentence like this is to offer illustrations how life would be different. Easy.
12. Say what is important to do before taking action.
Example: It is very important to attempt to understand people’s motivations and circumstances before judging their actions.
Structure: It is very important to ____ before _____.
Comment: This is a way of telling your reader what to do without directly telling your reader what to do. You merely point out what to do first.
13. Say what someone did and how he or she did it with “ through .”
Example: Lincoln, through the force of his character and his knack for politics, kept the United States united and ended 250 years of slavery.
Structure: X, through the ______ of his/her character, ________.
Comment: This sentence is very useful for making claims about people who have shown leadership or talent in the past. By painting a portrait of a great person, you will activate your reader’s memory and imagination.
14. Say how most people agree that…
Example: Most people agree that the amount of preparation is proportional to the degree of success for any endeavor.
Structure: Most people agree that ____.
Comment: If you say, “all people agree that” or “all people know that,” your reader will resist you because it will sound like an exaggeration. Using the words “most people” still sounds bold, but it makes your claim sound less extreme.
15. Say how an idea “ manifests itself .”
Example: Nowadays, creativity manifests itself endlessly, in all fields of study.
Structure: Nowadays, _________ manifests itself, in _______.
Comment: “Manifests itself” is just another way of saying “appears,” but it sounds more active and impressive. The adverb “endlessly” isn’t an essential part of this structure. It is not an exaggeration in the example sentence. I think it is true. We live in a very creative age.
16. Say what experts have observed or noticed.
Example: Philosophers and scientists have observed that perspective colors perception.
Structure: ______ have observed _____.
Comment: This is a useful alternative to the word “said.” When you say that experts have observed something, they have seen it and talked about it. Notice how “to observe” is a little ambiguous. It can mean strictly “to watch and see,” but it is often used to mean “said.” The ambiguity prevents the reader from thinking, “Oh, yeah? Really? Where have they said that? Cite your sources!” Ambiguity at the beginning of your essay reduces resistance to your initial claim and keeps your reader reading.
17. Say how reflecting on something often leads to something else.
Example: Reflecting on the condition of modern society often leads to the question, have we become overly cynical and desensitized?
Structure: Reflecting on _____ often leads to the question ______?
Comment: When you tell your reader reflection leads to curiosity about something, your reader will reflect and become curious. Kickass!
18. Claim that a virtue leads to harm.
Example: Sometimes the realization of one’s personal goals can cost another theirs.
Structure: Sometimes _______ leads to ________.
Comment: The irony that a good thing leads to a bad thing for others will arouse your reader’s sympathy and moral indignation. This sentence structure is a powerful first sentence in an essay.
19. Say that the world once believed something.
Example: The world once believed in things that we now find either horrifying or ridiculous.
Structure: The world once believed ______.
Comment: This sentence flatters your reader that he or she is not so stupid as the stupid people in the past, with their ridiculous ideas. Your readers will like the way you make them feel good about themselves.
20. Say how the greater part of something depends upon something.
Example: The greater part of our happiness or misery depends more upon disposition than circumstances.
Structure: The greater part of _____ depends more upon _____ than _____.
Comment: This is a very versatile structure that immediately spurs thought-provoking reflection. You could start an essay about success by saying, “ The greater part of success depends more upon luck than skill. ” AN essay about happiness could begin, “ The greater part of happiness depends more upon a hopeful sense of progress than upon the satisfaction of past achievement.”
21. Introduce a criticism by saying X is often accused of something.
Example: The media is often accused of sensationalism and outright bias.
Structure: _______ is often accused of ________.
Comment: This sentence makes the accusation sound unfair. It will arouse sympathy and moral indignation in your reader.
22. State a universal need.
Example: The need to belong is universal.
Structure: _______ is universal.
Comment: There are many things that are universal. Use this structure to tell your reader.
23. Claim that something “ seems straightforward .”
Example: The purpose of education these days seems to be a straightforward one.
Structure: _____ seems straightforward.
Comment: These are two useful words that when placed side-by-side become even more useful. “Seem” suggests that things could be different than they appear. This arouses curiosity. “Straightforward” suggests simplicity. We all want to be rescued from confusion and excessive complexity.
24. Declare that something “ has been debated for ages .”
Example: The role of government has been debated for ages without any concrete answer being offered.
Structure: _____ has been debated for ages.
Comment: When you start an essay like that, I’m expecting that you will settle the debate. Keep your promise.
25. Reflect on “ an inherent part of the human psyche .”
Example: The search for answers to all of life’s mysteries is an inherent part of the human psyche.
Structure: _____ an inherent part of the human psyche.
Comment: There are lots of things that are inherent to the human psyche. Memorise this structure. It could be useful to you.
26. Claim that there is little or no correlation to something.
Example: The truth and facts have little or no correlation to what is popular or mainstream.
Structure: _____ have little or no correlation to ______.
Comment: Oh, really? Not connected? Do tell. This sentence is bold and arouses my curiosity. It will arouse your reader’s curiosity also.
27. There can be no doubt .
Example: There can be no doubt that problems will continue to plague humanity far into the future, problems as diverse as the people they afflict.
Structure: There can be no doubt that ______.
Comment: People are attracted to certainty. Offer some to your reader.
28. Tell us that “ nobody is free from ” something.
Example: Today, nobody is free from the demands or expectations of others, whether one is a toddler and expected to walk by certain age or a father expected to provide a comfortable life for his family.
Structure: Nobody is free from _______.
Comment: Everybody wants to be free. It is unfair that people should be unfree. Every reader will want to keep reading after the first four words.
29. What forever remains ? Tell us.
Example: Two opposing ideals remain forever in competition.
Structure: _____ remain forever _____.
Comment: Putting the word “forever” after the word “remain” seems a little old-fashioned and formal. It will make you sound like an authority on the subject.
30. What “ might never have come to fruition ?”
Example: Without passion optimism and the willingness to believe in the past, many accomplishments in this world might never have come to fruition.
Structure: Without _____, _____ might never have come to fruition.
Comment: This blog post might never have come to fruition if I hadn’t bought “ 30 Model Essays ” and been impressed with the first lines of each essay. I hope you found it useful.
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Starting an essay can often feel like the hardest part of writing. You may have a well-structured outline and a clear idea of what you want to convey, yet struggle to find the perfect opening lines.
This is a common challenge that many writers face, but it’s necessary to overcome it to set the tone for a compelling essay.
In this blog, we will explain everything about starting an essay. We will discuss how to begin different parts of essays and what are some common ways to start an essay. Additionally, we'll highlight some common mistakes to avoid in your essay's introduction.
So let's get started!
- 1. 7 Tips to Start an Essay
- 2. Words To Start An Essay Introduction
- 3. Sentences To Start An Essay
- 4. How to Start an Essay - Examples
- 5. Mistakes to Avoid When Starting an Essay
7 Tips to Start an Essay
When writing an essay a good opening is like setting the stage for a performance—get it right, and you’ll have your audience hooked from the start.
Let's look at some useful methods to start your essay strongly.
Tip 1. Start with a Hook
The first stage in writing a compelling essay opening is to hook your reader. This could be a surprising fact, a provocative question, a quote, or even a vivid description that grabs attention.
For example, you might start with a startling statistic: "Did you know that 90% of startups fail within their first year?" Such a fact immediately intrigues the reader and sets the stage for discussing entrepreneurial challenges.
Tip 2. Provide Context or Background
Once you’ve hooked your reader, it’s important to provide some context or background information relevant to your topic. This helps orient your reader and sets up the framework for your thesis.
For instance, if your essay is about the impact of social media on mental health, you might briefly outline the rise of social media platforms and their pervasive influence on society today.
Tip 3. State Your Thesis Clearly
Next, state your thesis statement clearly and concisely. Your thesis should outline the main argument or position you will be discussing in the essay. This acts as a roadmap for your readers, guiding them through the points you will explore.
For example, in an essay arguing for stricter gun control laws, your thesis might assert: "Effective gun control measures are necessary to reduce firearm-related violence and ensure public safety."
Tip 4. Use Narrative or Anecdotal Openings
Another effective strategy is to start your essay with a narrative or anecdote. This approach works well for personal essays or when you want to humanize your topic.
For instance, you could begin with a personal story about an experience that shaped your views on environmental conservation if your essay discusses sustainability issues.
Tip 5. Pose a Thought-Provoking Question
Engage your reader by posing a thought-provoking question that encourages them to think critically about your topic. This technique is particularly effective in persuasive essays where you want to prompt your reader to consider your argument.
For example, in an essay advocating for universal healthcare, you might ask: "Should access to healthcare be considered a basic human right?"
Tip 6. Use a Relevant Quote
Drawing on the wisdom of others can lend authority and depth to your essay introduction. Choose a quote that resonates with your topic and supports your thesis. Make sure it's relevant and enhance the reader's understanding of your argument.
For instance, if your essay explores the theme of perseverance in the face of adversity, you might begin with a quote from Nelson Mandela: "It always seems impossible until it's done."
Here are some more examples to clear your understanding of how to start an essay with a quote:
- "‘The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.’ — Franklin D. Roosevelt. This quote reminds us that our beliefs about what's possible can shape our future."
- "‘In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.’ — Robert Frost. This quote reflects the resilience of life and encourages us to keep moving forward."
- "‘You must be the change you wish to see in the world.’ — Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi’s quote challenges us to take action and be proactive in creating the changes we want to see around us."
Tip 7. Directly State Your Argument
Finally, consider starting your essay by directly stating your main point or argument. This approach is straightforward and works well for analytical essays where clarity and precision are key.
For example, in an essay analyzing the impact of globalization on cultural identity, you might open with a declarative statement: "Globalization has irrevocably altered traditional cultural practices worldwide."
Words To Start An Essay Introduction
Here are some effective words and phrases to begin an essay introduction:
- Intriguingly: Intriguingly, the concept of...
- Unquestionably: Unquestionably, the most critical issue is...
- Surprisingly: Surprisingly, the data reveals...
- Notably: Notably, this phenomenon has far-reaching implications.
- Evidently: Evidently, the evidence suggests...
- Arguably: Arguably, one of the most contentious topics is...
- It is imperative to: It is imperative to address the issue of...
- Historically: Historically, this problem has persisted for centuries.
- In today's context: In today's context the relevance of this cannot be overstated.
- To illustrate: To illustrate, consider the following example….
- In contemporary society: In contemporary society, the issue of...
- Remarkably: Remarkably, few have explored the implications of...
- Undoubtedly: Undoubtedly, this problem warrants immediate attention.
- Consequently: Consequently, this leads us to question...
- In light of this: In light of this, it becomes evident that...
- Fundamentally: Fundamentally, the core issue revolves around...
- In recent years: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in...
- In an ever-changing world: In an ever-changing world, it is crucial to consider...
- To shed light on: To shed light on this matter, we will delve into...
- As a result: As a result, we are compelled to explore the implications of…
Sentences To Start An Essay
Here are some interesting sentences to start an essay:
- Have you ever wondered about the impact of climate change on our planet?
- In a remote village nestled among the mountains, a young girl's journey began.
- "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," said Franklin D. Roosevelt.
- Shockingly, 70% of marine life is threatened by plastic pollution.
- While some embrace technology, others yearn for a simpler, analog life.
- Democracy, the cornerstone of modern societies, is often misunderstood.
- A tranquil dawn, with the sun's first rays painting the sky in hues of gold.
- Did you know that octopuses have three hearts and blue blood?
- As a child, I often marveled at the stars, wondering about the cosmos.
- Society teeters on the brink of a digital revolution that will redefine human existence.
How to Start an Essay - Examples
Examining various essay introduction examples provides valuable insights into captivating your reader's interest right from the start.
Check out these examples for guidance on crafting powerful opening lines.
How to Start an Essay Introduction?
To start an essay introduction, begin with a hook that grabs the reader's attention. Next, provide some background information on the topic. Finally, clearly state your thesis to outline the main argument of your essay.
Here is an example of how to write an essay introduction to help you understand this better.
Expository Essay Introduction
Argumentative Essay Introduction
How to Start a Paragraph in an Essay?
The best way to start a paragraph in an academic essay is to write the topic sentence. The topic sentence tells the reader what the paragraph is going to be about. After the topic sentence, the supporting details are further provided.
Read this example to know how to start a paragraph.
How to Start a Paragraph in an Essay?
How to Start a Conclusion in an Essay?
To start a conclusion in an essay, you should write a rephrased thesis statement first. As it is the crux of your whole essay. Further on, the points discussed in the essay can be summarized one by one in the concluding paragraph.
Here is an example of how to write a conclusion to help you understand this better.
How to Start a Conclusion in an Essay?
Mistakes to Avoid When Starting an Essay
Here are a few mistakes that should be avoided for writing a great essay introduction.
- Starting Without a Plan: Launching into your essay without a clear outline is a recipe for confusion.
- Weak, Generic Hooks: Using clichés or dull openings that fail to grab your reader's attention.
- Excessive Formality: Overloading your intro with formal language can bore your audience.
- Info Overload: Bombarding readers with too much background information can overwhelm them.
- Unclear Thesis: Failing to state your essay's purpose upfront leaves readers puzzled.
- Irrelevant Quotes: Using quotes that don't connect directly to your topic is a misstep.
- Ignoring Your Audience: Neglecting your audience's interests can lead to disengagement.
- Procrastinating Intro: Leaving the intro for last often results in rushed, ineffective beginnings.
- Repetitive Content: Repeating what's in the body of your essay makes the intro redundant.
- Skipping Proofreading: Overlooking errors in grammar and punctuation undermines your intro's credibility.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good introduction sentence for an essay.
A good instruction sentence for an essay is one that captures the reader's attention with an interesting hook. After writing the hook, give them some context by providing background information that will help set up what is to come in later paragraphs or sections of the paper/essay.
Finally, conclude your introduction with a thesis statement that states both concisely and specifically what main point(s) are being made about this topic along with why it matters.
What are 3 ways of starting your essay?
The three most recommended ways to start off an essay are:
- Quotation: By a famous person that fits the context of your essay.
- Question: That engages the reader to find the answer in your essay.
- Facts or Statistics: That is startling so that the reader’s attention can be grabbed.
What words can you use to start an essay?
Some words that can be used to start an essay are once, next, then, in fact, similarly, or a time word like first, second, third. You can also use sequential transitions to merge your hook to the rest of the introduction paragraph. These transition words include, for example, consequently, for this reason, or another addition transition.
What is a good paragraph starter?
A good paragraph starter is a brief yet complete topic sentence. The topic sentence should adequately give the reader an idea about what is going to be discussed in the rest of the paragraph. The topic sentence should also prove your thesis statement.
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How to Write an Essay
Use the links below to jump directly to any section of this guide:
Essay Writing Fundamentals
How to prepare to write an essay, how to edit an essay, how to share and publish your essays, how to get essay writing help, how to find essay writing inspiration, resources for teaching essay writing.
Essays, short prose compositions on a particular theme or topic, are the bread and butter of academic life. You write them in class, for homework, and on standardized tests to show what you know. Unlike other kinds of academic writing (like the research paper) and creative writing (like short stories and poems), essays allow you to develop your original thoughts on a prompt or question. Essays come in many varieties: they can be expository (fleshing out an idea or claim), descriptive, (explaining a person, place, or thing), narrative (relating a personal experience), or persuasive (attempting to win over a reader). This guide is a collection of dozens of links about academic essay writing that we have researched, categorized, and annotated in order to help you improve your essay writing.
Essays are different from other forms of writing; in turn, there are different kinds of essays. This section contains general resources for getting to know the essay and its variants. These resources introduce and define the essay as a genre, and will teach you what to expect from essay-based assessments.
Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab
One of the most trusted academic writing sites, Purdue OWL provides a concise introduction to the four most common types of academic essays.
"The Essay: History and Definition" (ThoughtCo)
This snappy article from ThoughtCo talks about the origins of the essay and different kinds of essays you might be asked to write.
"What Is An Essay?" Video Lecture (Coursera)
The University of California at Irvine's free video lecture, available on Coursera, tells you everything you need to know about the essay.
Wikipedia Article on the "Essay"
Wikipedia's article on the essay is comprehensive, providing both English-language and global perspectives on the essay form. Learn about the essay's history, forms, and styles.
"Understanding College and Academic Writing" (Aims Online Writing Lab)
This list of common academic writing assignments (including types of essay prompts) will help you know what to expect from essay-based assessments.
Before you start writing your essay, you need to figure out who you're writing for (audience), what you're writing about (topic/theme), and what you're going to say (argument and thesis). This section contains links to handouts, chapters, videos and more to help you prepare to write an essay.
How to Identify Your Audience
"Audience" (Univ. of North Carolina Writing Center)
This handout provides questions you can ask yourself to determine the audience for an academic writing assignment. It also suggests strategies for fitting your paper to your intended audience.
"Purpose, Audience, Tone, and Content" (Univ. of Minnesota Libraries)
This extensive book chapter from Writing for Success , available online through Minnesota Libraries Publishing, is followed by exercises to try out your new pre-writing skills.
"Determining Audience" (Aims Online Writing Lab)
This guide from a community college's writing center shows you how to know your audience, and how to incorporate that knowledge in your thesis statement.
"Know Your Audience" ( Paper Rater Blog)
This short blog post uses examples to show how implied audiences for essays differ. It reminds you to think of your instructor as an observer, who will know only the information you pass along.
How to Choose a Theme or Topic
"Research Tutorial: Developing Your Topic" (YouTube)
Take a look at this short video tutorial from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to understand the basics of developing a writing topic.
"How to Choose a Paper Topic" (WikiHow)
This simple, step-by-step guide (with pictures!) walks you through choosing a paper topic. It starts with a detailed description of brainstorming and ends with strategies to refine your broad topic.
"How to Read an Assignment: Moving From Assignment to Topic" (Harvard College Writing Center)
Did your teacher give you a prompt or other instructions? This guide helps you understand the relationship between an essay assignment and your essay's topic.
"Guidelines for Choosing a Topic" (CliffsNotes)
This study guide from CliffsNotes both discusses how to choose a topic and makes a useful distinction between "topic" and "thesis."
How to Come Up with an Argument
"Argument" (Univ. of North Carolina Writing Center)
Not sure what "argument" means in the context of academic writing? This page from the University of North Carolina is a good place to start.
"The Essay Guide: Finding an Argument" (Study Hub)
This handout explains why it's important to have an argument when beginning your essay, and provides tools to help you choose a viable argument.
"Writing a Thesis and Making an Argument" (University of Iowa)
This page from the University of Iowa's Writing Center contains exercises through which you can develop and refine your argument and thesis statement.
"Developing a Thesis" (Harvard College Writing Center)
This page from Harvard's Writing Center collates some helpful dos and don'ts of argumentative writing, from steps in constructing a thesis to avoiding vague and confrontational thesis statements.
"Suggestions for Developing Argumentative Essays" (Berkeley Student Learning Center)
This page offers concrete suggestions for each stage of the essay writing process, from topic selection to drafting and editing.
How to Outline your Essay
"Outlines" (Univ. of North Carolina at Chapel Hill via YouTube)
This short video tutorial from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill shows how to group your ideas into paragraphs or sections to begin the outlining process.
"Essay Outline" (Univ. of Washington Tacoma)
This two-page handout by a university professor simply defines the parts of an essay and then organizes them into an example outline.
"Types of Outlines and Samples" (Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab)
Purdue OWL gives examples of diverse outline strategies on this page, including the alphanumeric, full sentence, and decimal styles.
"Outlining" (Harvard College Writing Center)
Once you have an argument, according to this handout, there are only three steps in the outline process: generalizing, ordering, and putting it all together. Then you're ready to write!
"Writing Essays" (Plymouth Univ.)
This packet, part of Plymouth University's Learning Development series, contains descriptions and diagrams relating to the outlining process.
"How to Write A Good Argumentative Essay: Logical Structure" (Criticalthinkingtutorials.com via YouTube)
This longer video tutorial gives an overview of how to structure your essay in order to support your argument or thesis. It is part of a longer course on academic writing hosted on Udemy.
Now that you've chosen and refined your topic and created an outline, use these resources to complete the writing process. Most essays contain introductions (which articulate your thesis statement), body paragraphs, and conclusions. Transitions facilitate the flow from one paragraph to the next so that support for your thesis builds throughout the essay. Sources and citations show where you got the evidence to support your thesis, which ensures that you avoid plagiarism.
How to Write an Introduction
"Introductions" (Univ. of North Carolina Writing Center)
This page identifies the role of the introduction in any successful paper, suggests strategies for writing introductions, and warns against less effective introductions.
"How to Write A Good Introduction" (Michigan State Writing Center)
Beginning with the most common missteps in writing introductions, this guide condenses the essentials of introduction composition into seven points.
"The Introductory Paragraph" (ThoughtCo)
This blog post from academic advisor and college enrollment counselor Grace Fleming focuses on ways to grab your reader's attention at the beginning of your essay.
"Introductions and Conclusions" (Univ. of Toronto)
This guide from the University of Toronto gives advice that applies to writing both introductions and conclusions, including dos and don'ts.
"How to Write Better Essays: No One Does Introductions Properly" ( The Guardian )
This news article interviews UK professors on student essay writing; they point to introductions as the area that needs the most improvement.
How to Write a Thesis Statement
"Writing an Effective Thesis Statement" (YouTube)
This short, simple video tutorial from a college composition instructor at Tulsa Community College explains what a thesis statement is and what it does.
"Thesis Statement: Four Steps to a Great Essay" (YouTube)
This fantastic tutorial walks you through drafting a thesis, using an essay prompt on Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter as an example.
"How to Write a Thesis Statement" (WikiHow)
This step-by-step guide (with pictures!) walks you through coming up with, writing, and editing a thesis statement. It invites you think of your statement as a "working thesis" that can change.
"How to Write a Thesis Statement" (Univ. of Indiana Bloomington)
Ask yourself the questions on this page, part of Indiana Bloomington's Writing Tutorial Services, when you're writing and refining your thesis statement.
"Writing Tips: Thesis Statements" (Univ. of Illinois Center for Writing Studies)
This page gives plentiful examples of good to great thesis statements, and offers questions to ask yourself when formulating a thesis statement.
How to Write Body Paragraphs
"Body Paragraph" (Brightstorm)
This module of a free online course introduces you to the components of a body paragraph. These include the topic sentence, information, evidence, and analysis.
"Strong Body Paragraphs" (Washington Univ.)
This handout from Washington's Writing and Research Center offers in-depth descriptions of the parts of a successful body paragraph.
"Guide to Paragraph Structure" (Deakin Univ.)
This handout is notable for color-coding example body paragraphs to help you identify the functions various sentences perform.
"Writing Body Paragraphs" (Univ. of Minnesota Libraries)
The exercises in this section of Writing for Success will help you practice writing good body paragraphs. It includes guidance on selecting primary support for your thesis.
"The Writing Process—Body Paragraphs" (Aims Online Writing Lab)
The information and exercises on this page will familiarize you with outlining and writing body paragraphs, and includes links to more information on topic sentences and transitions.
"The Five-Paragraph Essay" (ThoughtCo)
This blog post discusses body paragraphs in the context of one of the most common academic essay types in secondary schools.
How to Use Transitions
"Transitions" (Univ. of North Carolina Writing Center)
This page from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill explains what a transition is, and how to know if you need to improve your transitions.
"Using Transitions Effectively" (Washington Univ.)
This handout defines transitions, offers tips for using them, and contains a useful list of common transitional words and phrases grouped by function.
"Transitions" (Aims Online Writing Lab)
This page compares paragraphs without transitions to paragraphs with transitions, and in doing so shows how important these connective words and phrases are.
"Transitions in Academic Essays" (Scribbr)
This page lists four techniques that will help you make sure your reader follows your train of thought, including grouping similar information and using transition words.
"Transitions" (El Paso Community College)
This handout shows example transitions within paragraphs for context, and explains how transitions improve your essay's flow and voice.
"Make Your Paragraphs Flow to Improve Writing" (ThoughtCo)
This blog post, another from academic advisor and college enrollment counselor Grace Fleming, talks about transitions and other strategies to improve your essay's overall flow.
"Transition Words" (smartwords.org)
This handy word bank will help you find transition words when you're feeling stuck. It's grouped by the transition's function, whether that is to show agreement, opposition, condition, or consequence.
How to Write a Conclusion
"Parts of An Essay: Conclusions" (Brightstorm)
This module of a free online course explains how to conclude an academic essay. It suggests thinking about the "3Rs": return to hook, restate your thesis, and relate to the reader.
"Essay Conclusions" (Univ. of Maryland University College)
This overview of the academic essay conclusion contains helpful examples and links to further resources for writing good conclusions.
"How to End An Essay" (WikiHow)
This step-by-step guide (with pictures!) by an English Ph.D. walks you through writing a conclusion, from brainstorming to ending with a flourish.
"Ending the Essay: Conclusions" (Harvard College Writing Center)
This page collates useful strategies for writing an effective conclusion, and reminds you to "close the discussion without closing it off" to further conversation.
How to Include Sources and Citations
"Research and Citation Resources" (Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab)
Purdue OWL streamlines information about the three most common referencing styles (MLA, Chicago, and APA) and provides examples of how to cite different resources in each system.
EasyBib: Free Bibliography Generator
This online tool allows you to input information about your source and automatically generate citations in any style. Be sure to select your resource type before clicking the "cite it" button.
CitationMachine
Like EasyBib, this online tool allows you to input information about your source and automatically generate citations in any style.
Modern Language Association Handbook (MLA)
Here, you'll find the definitive and up-to-date record of MLA referencing rules. Order through the link above, or check to see if your library has a copy.
Chicago Manual of Style
Here, you'll find the definitive and up-to-date record of Chicago referencing rules. You can take a look at the table of contents, then choose to subscribe or start a free trial.
How to Avoid Plagiarism
"What is Plagiarism?" (plagiarism.org)
This nonprofit website contains numerous resources for identifying and avoiding plagiarism, and reminds you that even common activities like copying images from another website to your own site may constitute plagiarism.
"Plagiarism" (University of Oxford)
This interactive page from the University of Oxford helps you check for plagiarism in your work, making it clear how to avoid citing another person's work without full acknowledgement.
"Avoiding Plagiarism" (MIT Comparative Media Studies)
This quick guide explains what plagiarism is, what its consequences are, and how to avoid it. It starts by defining three words—quotation, paraphrase, and summary—that all constitute citation.
"Harvard Guide to Using Sources" (Harvard Extension School)
This comprehensive website from Harvard brings together articles, videos, and handouts about referencing, citation, and plagiarism.
Grammarly contains tons of helpful grammar and writing resources, including a free tool to automatically scan your essay to check for close affinities to published work.
Noplag is another popular online tool that automatically scans your essay to check for signs of plagiarism. Simply copy and paste your essay into the box and click "start checking."
Once you've written your essay, you'll want to edit (improve content), proofread (check for spelling and grammar mistakes), and finalize your work until you're ready to hand it in. This section brings together tips and resources for navigating the editing process.
"Writing a First Draft" (Academic Help)
This is an introduction to the drafting process from the site Academic Help, with tips for getting your ideas on paper before editing begins.
"Editing and Proofreading" (Univ. of North Carolina Writing Center)
This page provides general strategies for revising your writing. They've intentionally left seven errors in the handout, to give you practice in spotting them.
"How to Proofread Effectively" (ThoughtCo)
This article from ThoughtCo, along with those linked at the bottom, help describe common mistakes to check for when proofreading.
"7 Simple Edits That Make Your Writing 100% More Powerful" (SmartBlogger)
This blog post emphasizes the importance of powerful, concise language, and reminds you that even your personal writing heroes create clunky first drafts.
"Editing Tips for Effective Writing" (Univ. of Pennsylvania)
On this page from Penn's International Relations department, you'll find tips for effective prose, errors to watch out for, and reminders about formatting.
"Editing the Essay" (Harvard College Writing Center)
This article, the first of two parts, gives you applicable strategies for the editing process. It suggests reading your essay aloud, removing any jargon, and being unafraid to remove even "dazzling" sentences that don't belong.
"Guide to Editing and Proofreading" (Oxford Learning Institute)
This handout from Oxford covers the basics of editing and proofreading, and reminds you that neither task should be rushed.
In addition to plagiarism-checkers, Grammarly has a plug-in for your web browser that checks your writing for common mistakes.
After you've prepared, written, and edited your essay, you might want to share it outside the classroom. This section alerts you to print and web opportunities to share your essays with the wider world, from online writing communities and blogs to published journals geared toward young writers.
Sharing Your Essays Online
Go Teen Writers
Go Teen Writers is an online community for writers aged 13 - 19. It was founded by Stephanie Morrill, an author of contemporary young adult novels.
Tumblr is a blogging website where you can share your writing and interact with other writers online. It's easy to add photos, links, audio, and video components.
Writersky provides an online platform for publishing and reading other youth writers' work. Its current content is mostly devoted to fiction.
Publishing Your Essays Online
This teen literary journal publishes in print, on the web, and (more frequently), on a blog. It is committed to ensuring that "teens see their authentic experience reflected on its pages."
The Matador Review
This youth writing platform celebrates "alternative," unconventional writing. The link above will take you directly to the site's "submissions" page.
Teen Ink has a website, monthly newsprint magazine, and quarterly poetry magazine promoting the work of young writers.
The largest online reading platform, Wattpad enables you to publish your work and read others' work. Its inline commenting feature allows you to share thoughts as you read along.
Publishing Your Essays in Print
Canvas Teen Literary Journal
This quarterly literary magazine is published for young writers by young writers. They accept many kinds of writing, including essays.
The Claremont Review
This biannual international magazine, first published in 1992, publishes poetry, essays, and short stories from writers aged 13 - 19.
Skipping Stones
This young writers magazine, founded in 1988, celebrates themes relating to ecological and cultural diversity. It publishes poems, photos, articles, and stories.
The Telling Room
This nonprofit writing center based in Maine publishes children's work on their website and in book form. The link above directs you to the site's submissions page.
Essay Contests
Scholastic Arts and Writing Awards
This prestigious international writing contest for students in grades 7 - 12 has been committed to "supporting the future of creativity since 1923."
Society of Professional Journalists High School Essay Contest
An annual essay contest on the theme of journalism and media, the Society of Professional Journalists High School Essay Contest awards scholarships up to $1,000.
National YoungArts Foundation
Here, you'll find information on a government-sponsored writing competition for writers aged 15 - 18. The foundation welcomes submissions of creative nonfiction, novels, scripts, poetry, short story and spoken word.
Signet Classics Student Scholarship Essay Contest
With prompts on a different literary work each year, this competition from Signet Classics awards college scholarships up to $1,000.
"The Ultimate Guide to High School Essay Contests" (CollegeVine)
See this handy guide from CollegeVine for a list of more competitions you can enter with your academic essay, from the National Council of Teachers of English Achievement Awards to the National High School Essay Contest by the U.S. Institute of Peace.
Whether you're struggling to write academic essays or you think you're a pro, there are workshops and online tools that can help you become an even better writer. Even the most seasoned writers encounter writer's block, so be proactive and look through our curated list of resources to combat this common frustration.
Online Essay-writing Classes and Workshops
"Getting Started with Essay Writing" (Coursera)
Coursera offers lots of free, high-quality online classes taught by college professors. Here's one example, taught by instructors from the University of California Irvine.
"Writing and English" (Brightstorm)
Brightstorm's free video lectures are easy to navigate by topic. This unit on the parts of an essay features content on the essay hook, thesis, supporting evidence, and more.
"How to Write an Essay" (EdX)
EdX is another open online university course website with several two- to five-week courses on the essay. This one is geared toward English language learners.
Writer's Digest University
This renowned writers' website offers online workshops and interactive tutorials. The courses offered cover everything from how to get started through how to get published.
Writing.com
Signing up for this online writer's community gives you access to helpful resources as well as an international community of writers.
How to Overcome Writer's Block
"Symptoms and Cures for Writer's Block" (Purdue OWL)
Purdue OWL offers a list of signs you might have writer's block, along with ways to overcome it. Consider trying out some "invention strategies" or ways to curb writing anxiety.
"Overcoming Writer's Block: Three Tips" ( The Guardian )
These tips, geared toward academic writing specifically, are practical and effective. The authors advocate setting realistic goals, creating dedicated writing time, and participating in social writing.
"Writing Tips: Strategies for Overcoming Writer's Block" (Univ. of Illinois)
This page from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Center for Writing Studies acquaints you with strategies that do and do not work to overcome writer's block.
"Writer's Block" (Univ. of Toronto)
Ask yourself the questions on this page; if the answer is "yes," try out some of the article's strategies. Each question is accompanied by at least two possible solutions.
If you have essays to write but are short on ideas, this section's links to prompts, example student essays, and celebrated essays by professional writers might help. You'll find writing prompts from a variety of sources, student essays to inspire you, and a number of essay writing collections.
Essay Writing Prompts
"50 Argumentative Essay Topics" (ThoughtCo)
Take a look at this list and the others ThoughtCo has curated for different kinds of essays. As the author notes, "a number of these topics are controversial and that's the point."
"401 Prompts for Argumentative Writing" ( New York Times )
This list (and the linked lists to persuasive and narrative writing prompts), besides being impressive in length, is put together by actual high school English teachers.
"SAT Sample Essay Prompts" (College Board)
If you're a student in the U.S., your classroom essay prompts are likely modeled on the prompts in U.S. college entrance exams. Take a look at these official examples from the SAT.
"Popular College Application Essay Topics" (Princeton Review)
This page from the Princeton Review dissects recent Common Application essay topics and discusses strategies for answering them.
Example Student Essays
"501 Writing Prompts" (DePaul Univ.)
This nearly 200-page packet, compiled by the LearningExpress Skill Builder in Focus Writing Team, is stuffed with writing prompts, example essays, and commentary.
"Topics in English" (Kibin)
Kibin is a for-pay essay help website, but its example essays (organized by topic) are available for free. You'll find essays on everything from A Christmas Carol to perseverance.
"Student Writing Models" (Thoughtful Learning)
Thoughtful Learning, a website that offers a variety of teaching materials, provides sample student essays on various topics and organizes them by grade level.
"Five-Paragraph Essay" (ThoughtCo)
In this blog post by a former professor of English and rhetoric, ThoughtCo brings together examples of five-paragraph essays and commentary on the form.
The Best Essay Writing Collections
The Best American Essays of the Century by Joyce Carol Oates (Amazon)
This collection of American essays spanning the twentieth century was compiled by award winning author and Princeton professor Joyce Carol Oates.
The Best American Essays 2017 by Leslie Jamison (Amazon)
Leslie Jamison, the celebrated author of essay collection The Empathy Exams , collects recent, high-profile essays into a single volume.
The Art of the Personal Essay by Phillip Lopate (Amazon)
Documentary writer Phillip Lopate curates this historical overview of the personal essay's development, from the classical era to the present.
The White Album by Joan Didion (Amazon)
This seminal essay collection was authored by one of the most acclaimed personal essayists of all time, American journalist Joan Didion.
Consider the Lobster by David Foster Wallace (Amazon)
Read this famous essay collection by David Foster Wallace, who is known for his experimentation with the essay form. He pushed the boundaries of personal essay, reportage, and political polemic.
"50 Successful Harvard Application Essays" (Staff of the The Harvard Crimson )
If you're looking for examples of exceptional college application essays, this volume from Harvard's daily student newspaper is one of the best collections on the market.
Are you an instructor looking for the best resources for teaching essay writing? This section contains resources for developing in-class activities and student homework assignments. You'll find content from both well-known university writing centers and online writing labs.
Essay Writing Classroom Activities for Students
"In-class Writing Exercises" (Univ. of North Carolina Writing Center)
This page lists exercises related to brainstorming, organizing, drafting, and revising. It also contains suggestions for how to implement the suggested exercises.
"Teaching with Writing" (Univ. of Minnesota Center for Writing)
Instructions and encouragement for using "freewriting," one-minute papers, logbooks, and other write-to-learn activities in the classroom can be found here.
"Writing Worksheets" (Berkeley Student Learning Center)
Berkeley offers this bank of writing worksheets to use in class. They are nested under headings for "Prewriting," "Revision," "Research Papers" and more.
"Using Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism" (DePaul University)
Use these activities and worksheets from DePaul's Teaching Commons when instructing students on proper academic citation practices.
Essay Writing Homework Activities for Students
"Grammar and Punctuation Exercises" (Aims Online Writing Lab)
These five interactive online activities allow students to practice editing and proofreading. They'll hone their skills in correcting comma splices and run-ons, identifying fragments, using correct pronoun agreement, and comma usage.
"Student Interactives" (Read Write Think)
Read Write Think hosts interactive tools, games, and videos for developing writing skills. They can practice organizing and summarizing, writing poetry, and developing lines of inquiry and analysis.
This free website offers writing and grammar activities for all grade levels. The lessons are designed to be used both for large classes and smaller groups.
"Writing Activities and Lessons for Every Grade" (Education World)
Education World's page on writing activities and lessons links you to more free, online resources for learning how to "W.R.I.T.E.": write, revise, inform, think, and edit.
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How To Write An Essay
How To Start An Essay
Jumpstart Your Writing with These Proven Strategies on How to Start an Essay
Published on: Mar 10, 2023
Last updated on: Jul 23, 2024
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Are you feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of writing an essay ? Are you struggling to come up with a clear focus, introduction, and structure for your work?
Don't worry—you are not alone! Writing can be challenging but there are ways to make it easier.
In this blog post, we will discuss proven strategies on how to start an essay that will help jumpstart your creativity and enhance your overall writing process.
From figuring out which topic is best for you to create a persuasive main argument, these tips are essential tools that any student can use to write powerful essays.
Let's get started!
On This Page On This Page -->
How To Start an Essay Introduction
The introduction of your essay is the first opportunity to capture your reader's attention and make a lasting impression. By following these five steps, you can create an introduction that stands out from the start.
1. Hook your reader
To engage your reader from the beginning, consider using an interesting story or anecdote that relates to your topic.
For instance, if you are writing an essay about the importance of environmental conservation, you could begin with a compelling story. The story can be about a community coming together to save a local endangered species.
This not only grabs the reader's attention but also provides a glimpse of what your essay will discuss and why it matters.
Check out these hook examples that you may use!
2. Provide background information
After hooking your reader, it's essential to provide some background information on the topic. This helps your readers understand the context and significance of your essay.
You can offer relevant facts, statistics, or historical context to set the stage for the discussion that follows.
3. Present your thesis statement
A well-crafted thesis statement is the backbone of your essay. It conveys the main point or argument you will make throughout the paper. Your thesis statement should be clear, concise, and impactful, providing a roadmap for the reader to follow.
4. Outline your essay's structure
To enhance the organization and coherence of your essay, it's helpful to create an outline of the main points you will be discussing. This not only assists you in structuring your thoughts but also helps the reader anticipate the flow and content of your essay.
Read our detailed guide to learning to create a perfect essay outline !
5. Check and revise
Once you have drafted your introduction, it is crucial to carefully review it for any grammar or spelling errors that may have been missed.
Take the time to refine your language, ensure clarity, and confirm that your introduction effectively sets the stage for the rest of your essay.
By following these steps, you can create an engaging and well-structured introduction that sets the tone for your essay and captivates your
How To Start an Essay Writing - 8 Best Ways
Writing an essay can be a daunting task, but here are the 8 best ways to start your essay that will help you create a strong introduction and body.
Introduce your topic
Start your essay by introducing your topic and giving the reader some context. Make sure to include relevant background information so that readers understand how the topic relates to their own lives.
For example, if you are writing about the effects of social media on modern society, you could introduce your topic with something like:
âSocial media has drastically transformed our lives over the past decade. From connecting us with friends and family to influencing political views, it is undeniable that social media has had an immense effect on our day-to-day lives.â |
Start Your Essay With a Quote
Begin your essay with a thought-provoking quote that relates to the topic of your essay. This will engage the reader and give them an idea of what to expect in your essay.
For example, if you are writing about the importance of education, you could start with a quote such as:
âEducation is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.â ? Nelson Mandela |
Set Up a Mystery
Start your essay with a mysterious scenario that will draw the reader in. You can create a sense of intrigue by leaving out important details so that readers are curious to learn more.
For example, if you are writing about the effects of climate change, you could start with something like:
âThe sun rose slowly over the horizon, casting a mysterious orange glow across the sky. It was hard to ignore the feeling that something ominous was about to happen.â |
Use Rhetorical Questions
Start your essay with a rhetorical question that will leave readers thinking and wondering what will come next.
This can be an effective way to draw readers in and make them want to find out more.
For example, if you are writing about the importance of standing up for your beliefs, you could start with a rhetorical question such as:
âWhat would you do if someone told you that you couldnât believe in something? Would you stay quiet, or would you stand up for what you believe in?â |
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Provoke Emotion
Start your essay with a vivid description that will evoke emotions in the reader. This is an effective way to grab their attention and set the tone for your essay.
For example, if you are writing about the effects of poverty, you could start with something like:
âThe streets were filled with an eerie silence as I walked by rows of dilapidated buildings. Everywhere I looked, I saw people struggling to make a better life for themselves.â |
Use An Anecdote
Start your essay with an anecdotal story that will give readers a glimpse into the topic.
This can be an effective way to capture their attention and make them more interested in learning more about your topic.
Check out this video to learn more about using anecdotes in your essays!
For example, if you are writing about the impact of technology on our lives, you could start with something like:
âI remember when I was first introduced to computers. I was amazed at how quickly they could do calculations and complex tasks. Little did I know, this technology would shape my life in so many ways over the years.â |
Stamp Of Authority
Start your essay with a statement of authority that will give readers a sense of legitimacy.
This can be an effective way to establish yourself as an expert on the topic and make readers trust you more.
For example, if you are writing about the history of human rights, you could start with something like:
âSince the dawn of civilization, the struggle for human rights has been a defining aspect of our species. From ancient societies to modern democracies, this fight has shaped the world as we know it today.â |
Start Your Essay With A âContrary Toâ Or âFill The Gapâ Sentence
Start your essay with a sentence that introduces an idea contrary to popular opinion, or one that âfills the gapâ between two competing theories.
This can be an effective way to make readers think more deeply about the topic and challenge their preconceived notions.
For example, if you are writing about the importance of diversity, you could start with something like:
âContrary to popular belief, diversity isnât just about superficial differences. Itâs also about embracing different perspectives and ideas which can lead to greater understanding and progress.â |
Interesting Essay Starting Examples for Students
These examples of how to open your essay are designed to help students craft interesting and attention-grabbing introductions.
With a few tweaks, these ideas can be adapted to any type of essay topic or style.
Use them as inspiration when writing your own introduction and youâll be sure to capture readersâ interest right away.
how to start an essay about yourself
how to start an essay sample
how to start an essay about yourself examples
how to start an essay about a person
In conclusion, crafting an effective essay introduction is essential for grabbing your reader's attention and setting the tone for your essay.
We are sure that with the tips outlined, you can create a bold and compelling opening that will leave a lasting impression. Also, you can take help from an AI writing tool to get ideas.
And if you're still struggling, don't hesitate to seek professional help from our top essay writing service .
With our expert assistance, you can be sure that your essay introduction will be the best it can possibly be. Whether you are writing a college essay, an expository essay, or an argumentative essay, we can help you always!
So what are you waiting for? Order now and make your essay stand out from the crowd!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good introduction.
A good introduction should include a few key components:
- Identifying the topic
- Providing context
- Thesis statement
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How to Structure an Essay | Tips & Templates
Published on September 18, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.
The basic structure of an essay always consists of an introduction , a body , and a conclusion . But for many students, the most difficult part of structuring an essay is deciding how to organize information within the body.
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Table of contents
The basics of essay structure, chronological structure, compare-and-contrast structure, problems-methods-solutions structure, signposting to clarify your structure, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about essay structure.
There are two main things to keep in mind when working on your essay structure: making sure to include the right information in each part, and deciding how you’ll organize the information within the body.
Parts of an essay
The three parts that make up all essays are described in the table below.
Part | Content |
---|---|
Order of information
You’ll also have to consider how to present information within the body. There are a few general principles that can guide you here.
The first is that your argument should move from the simplest claim to the most complex . The body of a good argumentative essay often begins with simple and widely accepted claims, and then moves towards more complex and contentious ones.
For example, you might begin by describing a generally accepted philosophical concept, and then apply it to a new topic. The grounding in the general concept will allow the reader to understand your unique application of it.
The second principle is that background information should appear towards the beginning of your essay . General background is presented in the introduction. If you have additional background to present, this information will usually come at the start of the body.
The third principle is that everything in your essay should be relevant to the thesis . Ask yourself whether each piece of information advances your argument or provides necessary background. And make sure that the text clearly expresses each piece of information’s relevance.
The sections below present several organizational templates for essays: the chronological approach, the compare-and-contrast approach, and the problems-methods-solutions approach.
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The chronological approach (sometimes called the cause-and-effect approach) is probably the simplest way to structure an essay. It just means discussing events in the order in which they occurred, discussing how they are related (i.e. the cause and effect involved) as you go.
A chronological approach can be useful when your essay is about a series of events. Don’t rule out other approaches, though—even when the chronological approach is the obvious one, you might be able to bring out more with a different structure.
Explore the tabs below to see a general template and a specific example outline from an essay on the invention of the printing press.
- Thesis statement
- Discussion of event/period
- Consequences
- Importance of topic
- Strong closing statement
- Claim that the printing press marks the end of the Middle Ages
- Background on the low levels of literacy before the printing press
- Thesis statement: The invention of the printing press increased circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation
- High levels of illiteracy in medieval Europe
- Literacy and thus knowledge and education were mainly the domain of religious and political elites
- Consequence: this discouraged political and religious change
- Invention of the printing press in 1440 by Johannes Gutenberg
- Implications of the new technology for book production
- Consequence: Rapid spread of the technology and the printing of the Gutenberg Bible
- Trend for translating the Bible into vernacular languages during the years following the printing press’s invention
- Luther’s own translation of the Bible during the Reformation
- Consequence: The large-scale effects the Reformation would have on religion and politics
- Summarize the history described
- Stress the significance of the printing press to the events of this period
Essays with two or more main subjects are often structured around comparing and contrasting . For example, a literary analysis essay might compare two different texts, and an argumentative essay might compare the strengths of different arguments.
There are two main ways of structuring a compare-and-contrast essay: the alternating method, and the block method.
Alternating
In the alternating method, each paragraph compares your subjects in terms of a specific point of comparison. These points of comparison are therefore what defines each paragraph.
The tabs below show a general template for this structure, and a specific example for an essay comparing and contrasting distance learning with traditional classroom learning.
- Synthesis of arguments
- Topical relevance of distance learning in lockdown
- Increasing prevalence of distance learning over the last decade
- Thesis statement: While distance learning has certain advantages, it introduces multiple new accessibility issues that must be addressed for it to be as effective as classroom learning
- Classroom learning: Ease of identifying difficulties and privately discussing them
- Distance learning: Difficulty of noticing and unobtrusively helping
- Classroom learning: Difficulties accessing the classroom (disability, distance travelled from home)
- Distance learning: Difficulties with online work (lack of tech literacy, unreliable connection, distractions)
- Classroom learning: Tends to encourage personal engagement among students and with teacher, more relaxed social environment
- Distance learning: Greater ability to reach out to teacher privately
- Sum up, emphasize that distance learning introduces more difficulties than it solves
- Stress the importance of addressing issues with distance learning as it becomes increasingly common
- Distance learning may prove to be the future, but it still has a long way to go
In the block method, each subject is covered all in one go, potentially across multiple paragraphs. For example, you might write two paragraphs about your first subject and then two about your second subject, making comparisons back to the first.
The tabs again show a general template, followed by another essay on distance learning, this time with the body structured in blocks.
- Point 1 (compare)
- Point 2 (compare)
- Point 3 (compare)
- Point 4 (compare)
- Advantages: Flexibility, accessibility
- Disadvantages: Discomfort, challenges for those with poor internet or tech literacy
- Advantages: Potential for teacher to discuss issues with a student in a separate private call
- Disadvantages: Difficulty of identifying struggling students and aiding them unobtrusively, lack of personal interaction among students
- Advantages: More accessible to those with low tech literacy, equality of all sharing one learning environment
- Disadvantages: Students must live close enough to attend, commutes may vary, classrooms not always accessible for disabled students
- Advantages: Ease of picking up on signs a student is struggling, more personal interaction among students
- Disadvantages: May be harder for students to approach teacher privately in person to raise issues
An essay that concerns a specific problem (practical or theoretical) may be structured according to the problems-methods-solutions approach.
This is just what it sounds like: You define the problem, characterize a method or theory that may solve it, and finally analyze the problem, using this method or theory to arrive at a solution. If the problem is theoretical, the solution might be the analysis you present in the essay itself; otherwise, you might just present a proposed solution.
The tabs below show a template for this structure and an example outline for an essay about the problem of fake news.
- Introduce the problem
- Provide background
- Describe your approach to solving it
- Define the problem precisely
- Describe why it’s important
- Indicate previous approaches to the problem
- Present your new approach, and why it’s better
- Apply the new method or theory to the problem
- Indicate the solution you arrive at by doing so
- Assess (potential or actual) effectiveness of solution
- Describe the implications
- Problem: The growth of “fake news” online
- Prevalence of polarized/conspiracy-focused news sources online
- Thesis statement: Rather than attempting to stamp out online fake news through social media moderation, an effective approach to combating it must work with educational institutions to improve media literacy
- Definition: Deliberate disinformation designed to spread virally online
- Popularization of the term, growth of the phenomenon
- Previous approaches: Labeling and moderation on social media platforms
- Critique: This approach feeds conspiracies; the real solution is to improve media literacy so users can better identify fake news
- Greater emphasis should be placed on media literacy education in schools
- This allows people to assess news sources independently, rather than just being told which ones to trust
- This is a long-term solution but could be highly effective
- It would require significant organization and investment, but would equip people to judge news sources more effectively
- Rather than trying to contain the spread of fake news, we must teach the next generation not to fall for it
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Signposting means guiding the reader through your essay with language that describes or hints at the structure of what follows. It can help you clarify your structure for yourself as well as helping your reader follow your ideas.
The essay overview
In longer essays whose body is split into multiple named sections, the introduction often ends with an overview of the rest of the essay. This gives a brief description of the main idea or argument of each section.
The overview allows the reader to immediately understand what will be covered in the essay and in what order. Though it describes what comes later in the text, it is generally written in the present tense . The following example is from a literary analysis essay on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein .
Transitions
Transition words and phrases are used throughout all good essays to link together different ideas. They help guide the reader through your text, and an essay that uses them effectively will be much easier to follow.
Various different relationships can be expressed by transition words, as shown in this example.
Because Hitler failed to respond to the British ultimatum, France and the UK declared war on Germany. Although it was an outcome the Allies had hoped to avoid, they were prepared to back up their ultimatum in order to combat the existential threat posed by the Third Reich.
Transition sentences may be included to transition between different paragraphs or sections of an essay. A good transition sentence moves the reader on to the next topic while indicating how it relates to the previous one.
… Distance learning, then, seems to improve accessibility in some ways while representing a step backwards in others.
However , considering the issue of personal interaction among students presents a different picture.
If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!
- Ad hominem fallacy
- Post hoc fallacy
- Appeal to authority fallacy
- False cause fallacy
- Sunk cost fallacy
College essays
- Choosing Essay Topic
- Write a College Essay
- Write a Diversity Essay
- College Essay Format & Structure
- Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay
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The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.
The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.
An essay isn’t just a loose collection of facts and ideas. Instead, it should be centered on an overarching argument (summarized in your thesis statement ) that every part of the essay relates to.
The way you structure your essay is crucial to presenting your argument coherently. A well-structured essay helps your reader follow the logic of your ideas and understand your overall point.
Comparisons in essays are generally structured in one of two ways:
- The alternating method, where you compare your subjects side by side according to one specific aspect at a time.
- The block method, where you cover each subject separately in its entirety.
It’s also possible to combine both methods, for example by writing a full paragraph on each of your topics and then a final paragraph contrasting the two according to a specific metric.
You should try to follow your outline as you write your essay . However, if your ideas change or it becomes clear that your structure could be better, it’s okay to depart from your essay outline . Just make sure you know why you’re doing so.
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होम > ब्लॉग > एपीए निबंध प्रारूप: एक अवलोकन
एपीए निबंध प्रारूप: एक अवलोकन
- स्मोडिन संपादकीय टीम
- अपडेट किया गया: अगस्त 21, 2024
- लेखन के लिए चरण-दर-चरण निर्देश
क्या आपको APA निबंध लिखने की ज़रूरत है लेकिन आपको फ़ॉर्मेटिंग नियमों के बारे में कोई जानकारी नहीं है? आप अकेले नहीं हैं, क्योंकि कई छात्रों के मन में शुरू में यही सवाल होते हैं। हम आपको नियमों को समझने में मदद करने के लिए APA निबंध प्रारूप के सभी विवरण साझा करेंगे, ताकि आप एक ऐसा निबंध लिख सकें जिसमें सही लाइन स्पेसिंग, APA उद्धरण और सार पृष्ठ हो।
इसके अलावा, हम APA प्रारूप में लिखते समय किन बातों से बचना चाहिए, इसके शीर्ष उदाहरण भी साझा करेंगे। यह सुनिश्चित करता है कि आप बड़ी गलतियाँ न करें जो आपके अंतिम ग्रेड को प्रभावित कर सकती हैं।
एपीए निबंध प्रारूप का उपयोग करते समय आपको जिन नियमों का पालन करना चाहिए, उनके बारे में अधिक जानने के लिए पढ़ते रहें।
एपीए प्रारूप निबंध क्या है?
एपीए प्रारूप एक शैली मार्गदर्शिका है जिसका उपयोग सामाजिक विज्ञान में अकादमिक शोधपत्र लिखने के लिए आम तौर पर किया जाता है। अमेरिकन साइकोलॉजिकल एसोसिएशन मनोवैज्ञानिकों का प्रतिनिधित्व करने वाले एक अमेरिकी वैज्ञानिक और पेशेवर संगठन ने इस शैली को विकसित किया।
यहां उन प्रमुख बिंदुओं का अवलोकन दिया गया है जिन्हें आपको APA निबंध प्रारूप सीखते समय जानना आवश्यक है:
- शीर्षक पृष्ठ: इसमें पेपर का शीर्षक, लेखक का नाम और संस्थागत संबद्धता शामिल है। छात्र पेपर के लिए, इसमें पाठ्यक्रम संख्या और प्रशिक्षक का नाम भी शामिल है।
- सार: शोध का सारांश। यह आमतौर पर 150-250 शब्दों का होता है और इसमें मुख्य बिंदुओं और निष्कर्षों की रूपरेखा होती है।
- मुख्य भाग: इसमें परिचय, विधि, परिणाम और चर्चा अनुभाग शामिल हैं। प्रत्येक अनुभाग को स्पष्ट रूप से लेबल किया गया है और शोध निष्कर्षों को एक स्पष्ट प्रवाह में प्रस्तुत करने के लिए व्यवस्थित किया गया है।
- शीर्षक और उपशीर्षक: सामग्री को पदानुक्रमिक रूप से व्यवस्थित करने और नेविगेट करना आसान बनाने के लिए शीर्षकों के विशिष्ट स्तरों का उपयोग करें।
- पाठ में उद्धरण: लेखक-तिथि पद्धति का उपयोग करके पाठ के भीतर स्रोतों का हवाला दें, उदाहरण के लिए, "स्मिथ, 2020", जो अंत में एक विस्तृत संदर्भ सूची से लिंक करता है।
- संदर्भ: पेपर में उद्धृत सभी स्रोतों की सूची बनाएं, हैंगिंग इंडेंट के साथ प्रारूपित करें, तथा लेखक के अंतिम नाम के अनुसार वर्णानुक्रम में व्यवस्थित करें।
- स्वरूपण: मानक 12-पॉइंट टाइम्स न्यू रोमन फ़ॉन्ट, डबल-स्पेस वाली लाइनें, और सभी तरफ एक-इंच मार्जिन।
एपीए प्रारूप में निबंध कैसे लिखें
अब आइए APA प्रारूप में निबंध लिखना सीखने पर ध्यान केंद्रित करें। यह प्रक्रिया आपको शुरू से अंत तक ले जाएगी और सुनिश्चित करेगी कि आपके पास APA शैली के लिए सही प्रारूपण है। शुरुआती लोग अकादमिक सेटिंग में अच्छे परिणाम प्राप्त करने के लिए इन APA दिशानिर्देशों का उपयोग कर सकते हैं।
1. शीर्षक पृष्ठ
आपको इसकी आवश्यकता होगी निबंध शुरू करें एपीए प्रारूप कवर पेज (या शीर्षक पृष्ठ) के साथ, जो आपके निबंध के लिए मंच तैयार करता है। अपने पेपर के शीर्षक को बोल्ड 12-पॉइंट टाइम्स न्यू रोमन फ़ॉन्ट का उपयोग करके केंद्र में रखें। इसके नीचे, अपना नाम और संस्थागत संबद्धता केंद्र में रखें। यहां, आप पाठ्यक्रम की जानकारी, प्रशिक्षक का नाम और यदि आवश्यक हो तो नियत तिथि शामिल कर सकते हैं।
इसके अलावा, सुनिश्चित करें कि शीर्षक संक्षिप्त और वर्णनात्मक हो ताकि सर्वोत्तम परिणाम प्राप्त हो सकें। आप यह जानने के लिए पेशेवर पेपर देख सकते हैं कि यह कैसे करना है। फिर, हेडर में रनिंग हेड रखें। इसमें शीर्षक का संक्षिप्त संस्करण (50 अक्षर या उससे कम) और दाईं ओर संरेखित पृष्ठ संख्या शामिल होगी।
एक नए पृष्ठ पर, सार शामिल करें, जो आपके निबंध का सारांश प्रदान करता है। APA प्रारूप के साथ संरेखित करने के लिए पृष्ठ के शीर्ष पर "सार" शब्द को बोल्ड में केंद्रित करना सुनिश्चित करें। सार स्वयं एक पैराग्राफ होना चाहिए, 150-250 शब्दों के बीच। इसके अलावा, इसमें शोध समस्या, विधियों, परिणामों और निष्कर्ष के मुख्य बिंदुओं को संक्षेप में प्रस्तुत करना चाहिए।
उद्धरणों और विस्तृत व्याख्याओं से बचें और इसके बजाय अपने पेपर का सार बताने पर ध्यान केंद्रित करें। सार पाठकों को APA पेपर में गहराई से जाने के बिना आपके शोध के दायरे को जल्दी से समझने में मदद करता है।
3. मुख्य शरीर
अपने निबंध के मुख्य भाग को एक नए पृष्ठ पर शुरू करें। सुनिश्चित करें कि आपके पेपर का पूरा शीर्षक पृष्ठ के शीर्ष पर बोल्ड में केन्द्रित हो। मुख्य भाग में कई खंड शामिल हैं, जो आम तौर पर परिचय, विधि, परिणाम और चर्चा हैं।
परिचय में, रेखांकित करें शोध पत्र प्रश्न और संदर्भ। फिर विधि अनुभाग में अपनी शोध प्रक्रिया का वर्णन करें। आपको परिणाम अनुभाग में अपने निष्कर्ष प्रस्तुत करने होंगे और चर्चा में उनका विश्लेषण करना होगा।
अपनी सामग्री को व्यवस्थित करने के लिए APA की शीर्षक शैलियों का उपयोग करना सुनिश्चित करें ताकि स्पष्टता और प्रवाह सुनिश्चित हो सके। अंत में, पाठ को डबल-स्पेस करना न भूलें और सभी तरफ मार्जिन एक इंच पर सेट करें। APA प्रारूप शीर्षक महत्वपूर्ण हैं और कुछ ऐसा है जिसे छात्र अक्सर अनदेखा कर देते हैं।
मुख्य भाग के बाद, संदर्भों के लिए एक नया पृष्ठ शुरू करें। पृष्ठ के शीर्ष पर "संदर्भ" शब्द को केंद्र में रखकर और बोल्ड करके इस अनुभाग के APA स्वरूपण की शुरुआत करें। अपने निबंध में उद्धृत सभी स्रोतों को लेखक के अंतिम नाम के अनुसार वर्णानुक्रम में सूचीबद्ध करना सुनिश्चित करें। APA शैली को सही करने के लिए आप हैंगिंग इंडेंट का उपयोग कर सकते हैं। इसका मतलब है कि आप पहली पंक्ति को बाईं ओर फ्लश करें और बाद की पंक्तियों को 0.5 इंच इंडेंट करें।
इसके अतिरिक्त, प्रत्येक संदर्भ प्रविष्टि में लेखक का नाम, प्रकाशन वर्ष, शीर्षक और स्रोत विवरण शामिल होना चाहिए। इसे सही करने के लिए, पूर्ण और सटीक स्रोत जानकारी प्रदान करने के लिए APA उद्धरण प्रारूप नियमों का सावधानीपूर्वक पालन करें। यह सुनिश्चित करता है कि आप उचित श्रेय दें और पाठकों को आपके स्रोतों का पता लगाने की अनुमति देता है।
5. पाठ में उद्धरण
अपने पूरे निबंध में, स्रोतों को श्रेय देने के लिए इन-टेक्स्ट उद्धरणों का उपयोग करें। APA प्रारूप लेखक-तिथि प्रणाली का उपयोग करता है। इसलिए, उद्धृत जानकारी के बाद कोष्ठक में लेखक का अंतिम नाम और प्रकाशन वर्ष शामिल करें।
प्रत्यक्ष उद्धरणों के लिए, निम्न उदाहरण की तरह पृष्ठ संख्याएँ जोड़ें: स्मिथ, 2020, पृष्ठ 15. यदि लेखक का नाम वाक्य का हिस्सा है, तो कोष्ठक में केवल वर्ष शामिल करें। सुनिश्चित करें कि प्रत्येक इन-टेक्स्ट उद्धरण संदर्भ पृष्ठ पर संबंधित संदर्भ से मेल खाता है। पेशेवर और छात्र पत्रों के लिए पाठकों को आपके स्रोतों को सत्यापित करने की अनुमति देकर अकादमिक अखंडता बनाए रखना महत्वपूर्ण है।
6. परिशिष्ट
यदि आपके निबंध में पूरक सामग्री शामिल है, तो संदर्भों के बाद नए पृष्ठों पर एक परिशिष्ट जोड़ें। यदि कई परिशिष्ट हैं, तो प्रत्येक परिशिष्ट को "परिशिष्ट" शब्द के साथ शीर्षक देना सुनिश्चित करें, उसके बाद एक अक्षर (उदाहरण के लिए, परिशिष्ट A) लिखें। इसके अलावा, आपको प्रत्येक परिशिष्ट के शीर्षक को केंद्र में रखना होगा और बोल्ड करना होगा।
मुख्य पाठ को ओवरलोड किए बिना अपने निष्कर्षों का समर्थन करने के लिए परिशिष्ट में विस्तृत तालिकाएँ, आंकड़े या अतिरिक्त डेटा शामिल करें। यह आपके निबंध या पेशेवर पेपर को एक बेहतर रूप देगा। बेहतर लेखन प्रवाह .
अंत में, पाठ में प्रत्येक परिशिष्ट को देखें। आप विशिष्ट पाठ संदर्भों को खोजने के लिए वर्ड प्रोसेसिंग सॉफ़्टवेयर में खोज फ़ंक्शन का उपयोग कर सकते हैं।
एपीए प्रारूप में निबंध का हवाला कैसे दें
इस खंड में, हम उस प्रक्रिया पर चर्चा करते हैं जिसका पालन आपको APA प्रारूप में निबंध का हवाला देते समय करना होगा। अमेरिकन साइकोलॉजिकल एसोसिएशन ने APA लेखन प्रारूप को बेहतर संरचना प्रदान करने के लिए इन नियमों को जोड़ा। यह पाठकों को पेशेवर पत्रिकाओं के बीच स्थानांतरित होने पर डेटा स्रोतों को जल्दी से पहचानने में भी मदद करता है।
एपीए-शैली के पेपर में, स्रोतों का हवाला देने और पाठकों को उनके बारे में बताने के लिए संक्षिप्त इन-टेक्स्ट वाक्यों का उपयोग करें। आप आम तौर पर इन-टेक्स्ट वाक्यों को शामिल करेंगे प्रशंसा पत्र एपीए शैली प्रारूप वाले पेपर में प्रत्येक उद्धरण के साथ एक प्रति अवश्य लिखें, ताकि यह सुनिश्चित हो सके कि कोई साहित्यिक चोरी न हो।
इसके अलावा, सामान्य स्वरूपण नियम बताते हैं कि आपको लेखक का अंतिम नाम और प्रकाशन का वर्ष उपयोग करना होगा। इसे लेखक-तिथि प्रणाली के रूप में भी जाना जाता है। इसके अलावा, यदि आप किसी विशेष भाग का हवाला देना चाहते हैं, तो आप टाइमस्टैम्प या पृष्ठ संख्या का उपयोग कर सकते हैं।
पैरेन्थेटिकल बनाम कथात्मक उद्धरण
आपके इन-टेक्स्ट उद्धरण के दो मुख्य रूप हो सकते हैं: कोष्ठकीय या वर्णनात्मक। यहाँ उनके बीच अंतर का एक उदाहरण दिया गया है:
- पैरेन्थेटिकल उद्धरण: नवीनतम उद्योग रुझानों के अनुसार… (जोन्स, 2024)।
- कथात्मक उद्धरण: जोन्स (2024) कहते हैं कि नवीनतम उद्योग रुझान…
एकाधिक लेखक और कॉर्पोरेट लेखक
आप जिस छात्र शोधपत्र पर काम कर रहे हैं, उसकी प्रकृति के आधार पर आपको कई या कॉर्पोरेट लेखकों का हवाला देने की आवश्यकता हो सकती है। यहाँ कोष्ठकीय उद्धरणों का प्रारूप दिया गया है:
- एक लेखक: (जोन्स, 2024)
- दो लेखक: (जोन्स और एडम्स, 2024)
- 3+ लेखक: (जोन्स एट अल., 2024)
- संगठन: (ब्रांड नाम, 2024)
अब आइये कथात्मक उद्धरण संस्करण पर नजर डालें:
- एक लेखक: जोन्स (2024)
- दो लेखक: जोन्स और एडम्स (2024)
- 3+ लेखक: स्मिथ एट अल. (2024)
- संगठन: ब्रांड नाम (2024)
एपीए प्रारूप निबंध उदाहरण: क्या बचें
अब हम कुछ ऐसी गलतियों के बारे में APA प्रारूप निबंध उदाहरणों पर चर्चा करेंगे जो आपको नहीं करनी चाहिए। यह सुनिश्चित करता है कि आप अपने प्रोजेक्ट को अच्छी तरह से पूरा करें और शीर्ष ग्रेड प्राप्त करें।
एपीए प्रारूप का उपयोग करते समय बचने योग्य प्रमुख लेखन गलतियाँ निम्नलिखित हैं:
- अनुचित उद्धरण: स्रोतों का सही तरीके से हवाला न देने से साहित्यिक चोरी के आरोप लग सकते हैं। इसलिए, सुनिश्चित करें कि प्रत्येक स्रोत का संदर्भ पाठ में उद्धरणों और संदर्भ सूची दोनों में ठीक से दिया गया हो। इसलिए, गलत प्रारूप या अधूरे विवरण का उपयोग करने से बचें। उदाहरण के लिए, प्रत्यक्ष उद्धरणों के लिए पृष्ठ संख्या शामिल न करना या प्रकाशन वर्ष को छोड़ देना आपके काम की अखंडता से समझौता कर सकता है।
- असंगत स्वरूपण: स्वरूपण में असंगतता आपके निबंध की व्यावसायिकता को कमज़ोर करती है। इसलिए, सुनिश्चित करें कि आपके पास पूरे निबंध में एक समान मार्जिन, फ़ॉन्ट प्रकार और आकार (जैसे कैपिटल अक्षर और अपरकेस और लोअरकेस अक्षर) हों। इसके अतिरिक्त, शीर्षकों को APA शैली का सटीक रूप से पालन करना चाहिए, और लाइन स्पेसिंग और इंडेंटेशन में एकरूपता होनी चाहिए। इन दिशा-निर्देशों से विचलन पाठकों को विचलित कर सकता है और निबंध की विश्वसनीयता को कम कर सकता है।
- शीर्षक पृष्ठ की आवश्यकताओं की उपेक्षा करना: APA प्रारूप में शीर्षक पृष्ठ महत्वपूर्ण है। इसलिए, शीर्षक, लेखक का नाम और संस्थागत संबद्धता जैसे आवश्यक तत्वों को छोड़ने से बचें। साथ ही, रनिंग हेड और पेज नंबर मौजूद होना चाहिए। इन तत्वों की अनुपस्थिति भ्रम पैदा कर सकती है और आपके फ़ॉर्मेटिंग में लापरवाही का आभास दे सकती है।
- प्रत्यक्ष उद्धरणों का अत्यधिक उपयोग: उद्धरण चिह्नों द्वारा दर्शाए गए प्रत्यक्ष उद्धरणों पर बहुत अधिक निर्भर रहना आपके मूल विश्लेषण और अंतर्दृष्टि को कमज़ोर कर सकता है। इसके बजाय, संक्षिप्त व्याख्या जहाँ संभव हो, संक्षेप में लिखें और अपने बिंदुओं का समर्थन करने के लिए सीधे उद्धरणों का संयम से उपयोग करें। अत्यधिक उपयोग से आपका निबंध कम मौलिक और दूसरों के काम पर अधिक निर्भर लग सकता है।
- गलत संदर्भ सूची स्वरूपण: गलत स्वरूपण से बचने के लिए संदर्भ सूची में प्रत्येक प्रविष्टि को APA दिशानिर्देशों के अनुसार स्वरूपित करें। आपको गलत इंडेंटेशन, इटैलिक का गलत उपयोग या गायब तत्वों जैसी सामान्य गलतियों से बचना होगा। उदाहरण के लिए, पुस्तक के शीर्षकों को इटैलिक करें और लेख के शीर्षकों को सादे पाठ में छोड़ दें।
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्नों
मैं शीर्षक पृष्ठ को apa में कैसे प्रारूपित करूं.
APA शीर्षक पृष्ठ में पेपर का शीर्षक, लेखक का नाम और संस्थागत संबद्धता शामिल है। इसके अलावा, APA पेपर के शीर्षक पृष्ठ को केंद्र में रखें और डबल-स्पेस दें। छात्र पेपर के लिए, इसमें कोर्स नंबर, प्रशिक्षक का नाम और नियत तारीख भी शामिल है।
इसके अतिरिक्त, हेडर में संक्षिप्त शीर्षक और पृष्ठ संख्या के साथ एक रनिंग हेड दिखाई देता है। सुनिश्चित करें कि शीर्षक संक्षिप्त और वर्णनात्मक हो, जिसमें प्रमुख शब्द बड़े अक्षरों में हों। इससे आपके प्रोजेक्ट के लिए सबसे अच्छा पेज हेडर मिलेगा।
संदर्भ सूची को APA शैली में प्रारूपित करने का उचित तरीका क्या है?
संदर्भ सूची को हैंगिंग इंडेंट के साथ प्रारूपित किया जाना चाहिए। इसका मतलब है कि प्रत्येक संदर्भ की पहली पंक्ति बाईं ओर फ्लश होनी चाहिए, और बाद की पंक्तियों में 0.5 इंच का इंडेंट होना चाहिए। इसके अलावा, संदर्भों को लेखक के अंतिम नाम के अनुसार वर्णानुक्रम में व्यवस्थित करें।
इसके अतिरिक्त, पुस्तकों और पत्रिकाओं के शीर्षकों के लिए इटैलिक और लेखों और अध्यायों के शीर्षकों के लिए उचित वाक्य-केस का उपयोग करें। पेशेवर शोध-पत्रों के बराबर गुणवत्ता सुनिश्चित करने के लिए हर जगह एकरूपता बनाए रखें।
मुझे APA निबंध के मुख्य भाग की संरचना किस प्रकार करनी चाहिए?
मुख्य भाग एक नए पृष्ठ पर शुरू होता है, जिसमें पेपर का शीर्षक केंद्र में और बोल्ड किया हुआ होता है। इसमें परिचय, विधि, परिणाम और चर्चा अनुभाग शामिल होने चाहिए। साथ ही, APA प्रारूप में शीर्षक शैलियाँ शामिल होनी चाहिए।
टेक्स्ट को एक इंच के मार्जिन के साथ डबल-स्पेस किया जाना चाहिए, और 12-पॉइंट टाइम्स न्यू रोमन फ़ॉन्ट का उपयोग करना चाहिए। इसके अलावा, विभिन्न अनुभागों के लिए शीर्षकों का उपयोग करके सामग्री को तार्किक और स्पष्ट रूप से व्यवस्थित करें। सुनिश्चित करें कि आपके APA पेपर में शीर्षक पृष्ठ पर मुख्य भाग नहीं है।
क्या मैं APA प्रारूप में तालिकाओं और आंकड़ों का उपयोग कर सकता हूँ?
हां, APA प्रारूप डेटा को स्पष्ट रूप से प्रस्तुत करने के लिए तालिकाओं और आंकड़ों के उपयोग की अनुमति देता है। प्रत्येक तालिका या आंकड़े को लेबल किया जाना चाहिए और उसके साथ एक शीर्षक होना चाहिए। इसके अलावा, संदर्भ पृष्ठ के बाद तालिकाओं और आंकड़ों को रखें।
इसके अतिरिक्त, पाठ में प्रत्येक तालिका या आकृति को देखें और सुनिश्चित करें कि वे APA दिशानिर्देशों के अनुसार प्रारूपित हैं। इसमें सामग्री के साथ सर्वोत्तम परिणामों के लिए उचित रिक्ति और संरेखण शामिल है।
यदि किसी स्रोत के लिए कोई लेखक सूचीबद्ध नहीं है तो मुझे क्या करना चाहिए?
यदि कोई लेखक सूचीबद्ध नहीं है, तो लेखक के नाम के स्थान पर कार्य का शीर्षक उपयोग करें। पाठ में उद्धरण के लिए, संदर्भ सूची प्रविष्टि के पहले कुछ शब्दों और प्रकाशन वर्ष का उपयोग करें।
स्मोडिन एआई के साथ अपने एपीए प्रारूप निबंध लिखना शुरू करें
अपने अगले पेपर में उच्च ग्रेड प्राप्त करने के लिए इस लेख में सीखे गए APA निबंध प्रारूप नियमों का उपयोग करें। सुनिश्चित करें कि आप साहित्यिक चोरी से बचने के लिए उद्धरणों का उपयोग करना न भूलें। इसके अलावा, यह सुनिश्चित करने के लिए कि आप अपनी कड़ी मेहनत को नुकसान न पहुँचाएँ, बचने के लिए शीर्ष गलतियों के बारे में न भूलें।
क्या आपको अपना APA निबंध प्रारूप प्रोजेक्ट लिखने में सहायता की आवश्यकता है? फिर सफलता की संभावनाओं को अपने पक्ष में करने के लिए Smodin AI का उपयोग करें। हमारा सॉफ़्टवेयर आपको दिखाएगा कि अपने कार्यों के लिए सही फ़ॉर्मेटिंग का उपयोग कैसे करें। हमारा टूलकिट सही APA-शैली का पेपर तैयार करने की प्रक्रिया को तेज़ करेगा।
तो आप किसका इंतज़ार कर रहे हैं? आज ही स्मोडिन एआई को आज़माएँ और आपको परिणाम पसंद आएंगे.
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Learn how to start an essay with different techniques and tips from this web page. See 20 examples of great essay introductions from various genres and formats.
Learn how to write an effective introduction paragraph for your academic essay with this guide. It covers the goals, structure and tips of an introduction, and provides examples from different topics.
Share a shocking or amusing fact. One way to start your essay is with a shocking, unexpected, or amusing fact about the topic you're covering. This grabs the reader's attention and makes them want to read further, expecting explanation, context, and/or elaboration on the fact you presented. Check out these essay introduction examples that ...
Engaging ways to start an essay include stating a surprising fact, asking a thought-provoking question, or even using humor to reel readers in. ... Examples of Great Introductory Paragraphs. Write an Attention-Grabbing Opening Sentence for an Essay. 100 Persuasive Essay Topics.
Note that the meta essay can sometimes work (you'll see a couple examples below), but has a higher degree of difficulty. The Quote: While quoting famous people who have said something cool in the past may seem like an appealing way to start your essay, remember that colleges want to hear YOUR thoughts. Don't use the words of another person ...
Here are the key takeaways for how to write essay introduction: 3. Hook the Reader: Start with an engaging hook to grab the reader's attention. This could be a compelling question, a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or an anecdote. Provide Background: Give a brief overview of the topic, setting the context and stage for the discussion.
The essay writing process consists of three main stages: Preparation: Decide on your topic, do your research, and create an essay outline. Writing: Set out your argument in the introduction, develop it with evidence in the main body, and wrap it up with a conclusion. Revision: Check your essay on the content, organization, grammar, spelling ...
This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people's social and cultural lives.
Every good introduction needs a thesis statement, a sentence that plainly and concisely explains the main topic. Thesis statements are often just a brief summary of your entire paper, including your argument or point of view for personal essays. For example, if your paper is about whether viewing violent cartoons impacts real-life violence ...
Starting your essay with dialogue instantly transports the reader into the story, while also introducing your personal voice. In the rest of the essay, the author proposes a class that introduces people to insects as a type of food. ... This essay opener is also a good example of "The Vivid Imaginer." In this case, the detailed imagery only ...
Here are the eight steps to write an essay: Stage 1: Planning. 1. Pick an appropriate research topic. In certain cases, your teacher or professor may assign you a topic. However, in many cases, students have the freedom to select a topic of their choice.
1. Begin with an attractive hook. In order to understand how to start an introduction in an essay, we must first focus on the hook. An effective opening statement, or a "hook", aims to intrigue the reader. An attractive opening statement essentially hooks the reader to your essay.
For attention-grabbing introductions, an understanding of essay introduction structure and how to write an essay introduction is required. Our essay introduction examples showing the parts of an essay introduction will help you craft the beginning paragraph you need to start your writing journey on the right foot.
The whole idea of how to start an essay is found in this simple analogy of the appetizer as prelude to the main course. View 120,000+ High Quality Essay Examples. Learn-by-example to improve your academic writing. ... Expository Essay Example: "Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, are becoming increasingly ...
The writer of the academic essay aims to persuade readers of an idea based on evidence. The beginning of the essay is a crucial first step in this process. In order to engage readers and establish your authority, the beginning of your essay has to accomplish certain business. Your beginning should introduce the essay, focus it, and orient ...
8. Say where concepts originate. Example: Established values in a society originate in culture, religion, and the hopes and dreams that a country was founded upon. Plural Structure: Xs originate in Y and Z. Singular Structure: X originates in Y and Z. Comment: Saying where something originates opens the door to illustrations from the past.An essay with a first sentence like this will ...
Good example. I wiped the sweat from my head and tried to catch my breath. I was nearly there—just one more back tuck and a strong dismount and I'd have nailed a perfect routine. Some students choose to write more broadly about themselves and use some sort of object or metaphor as the focus.
Related: How To Write an Intro Paragraph in 5 Steps (With Examples) 2. Introduce your essay topic. The first step in beginning an essay is introducing the topic you plan to discuss. Use the introduction to establish the context of the topic and highlight the frame within which you aim to discuss it.
7 Tips to Start an Essay. When writing an essay a good opening is like setting the stage for a performance—get it right, and you'll have your audience hooked from the start.. Let's look at some useful methods to start your essay strongly. Tip 1. Start with a Hook . The first stage in writing a compelling essay opening is to hook your reader. This could be a surprising fact, a provocative ...
Before you start writing your essay, you need to figure out who you're writing for (audience), what you're writing about (topic/theme), and what you're going to say (argument and thesis). ... example essays, and commentary. "Topics in English" (Kibin) Kibin is a for-pay essay help website, but its example essays (organized by topic) are ...
Step 2: Pick one of the things you wrote down, flip your paper over, and write it at the top of your paper, like this: This is your thread, or a potential thread. Step 3: Underneath what you wrote down, name 5-6 values you could connect to this. These will serve as the beads of your essay.
By following these five steps, you can create an introduction that stands out from the start. 1. Hook your reader. To engage your reader from the beginning, consider using an interesting story or anecdote that relates to your topic. For instance, if you are writing an essay about the importance of environmental conservation, you could begin ...
Start Brainstorming and Select a Topic. ... Details make up our lives, and if you want them to make an impact on the reader, then they should make up your essay, too. For example, instead of simply saying "I volunteered at the animal shelter," you could describe a specific experience. Perhaps you helped a shy dog overcome its fear of people ...
The basic structure of an essay always consists of an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. But for many students, the most difficult part of structuring an essay is deciding how to organize information within the body. This article provides useful templates and tips to help you outline your essay, make decisions about your structure, and ...
You're not alone, as many students have the same questions when starting. We'll share all the details of the APA essay format to help you understand the rules, so you can write an essay that has the correct line spacing, APA citations, and abstract page. Furthermore, we'll also share the top examples of what to avoid when writing in APA ...