how to write a kickass essay

Ann Hood’s Top Ten Tips On How To Write A Kick-Ass Essay

I came across this  fantastic podcast the other day via Tin House  and featuring writer Ann Hood  who shares her ten rules on how to write a ‘kick-ass’ essay. It is excellent and I urge you to listen to it immediately!

The podcast is a recording of Hood’s lecture given during Tin House’s 2014 Summer Writer’s Workshop. Hood is an award-winning American writer who also happens to have a passion for knitting and yarn, so clearly she is a wonderful human being.

I was so taken with this podcast that I took notes. I got a bit lost in places but think I managed to get the general gist. I’m sharing them below in case you find them as inspiring and useful as I do. Ann’s words to me were captivating, and I’m so grateful for the wonder of technology that allows the amazing people at Tin House to share this amazing lecture with the world!

While I hope these will be helpful to read through, I do suggest that you listen to Ann herself as she gives full context to her tips based on personal experience and also reads two magnificent short essays too. Plus, you will no doubt glean something different, and certainly more, from the full breadth of her words than from these rudimentary notes, which really are more a personal reminder of the lecture for me.

As she suggests, these are meant as points to think about once you’ve written a draft of an essay and are looking to go back and rework it to kick-ass level, or kick- arse level if you’re from my part of the world. It immediately inspired me to start work on a personal essay and yes, I am busy working through these tips to improve it.

Also, it is worth noting that these tips would be worth considering for any creative writing practice. It seems to me that many would be as useful to think about when reworking a short story as they would be for a non-fiction essay.

THANK YOU ANN HOOD!

ANN HOOD’S HOW TO WRITE A KICK-ASS ESSAY

1. Make sure you are writing about the thing that keeps you up at night.

We work too hard to find this sometimes. Look for the significant moments in the everyday, the thing that you’re trying to figure out.

2. When you do come up with that thing for your essay, forget where it’s going to be published.

Having a publication in mind means you will be trying tot write for a voice that’s not yours. Ann quotes Barbara Kingsolver: “Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you. Figure out what it is that you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.”

3. They’re about something small, they’re about something enormous.

Dig down from the small thing to see what lies underneath it. Ann quotes Grace Paley who says that writers should write what they don’t know about what they do know. Also, Alice Munro: “Anecdotes don’t make good stories. Dig down so far that what finally comes out isn’t even what you thought it was about.”

4. No ideas but in things.

This is a line from the epic William Carlos Williams poem  Paterson . He argues that poetry should focus on objects not abstractions. It’s the same as saying ‘show, don’t tell’.

5. In a Kick-Ass Essay, you always say the hardest thing, the thing you think you cannot say.

Ann quotes Joyce Maynard, who said  “You have to write like you’re an orphan” , meaning that you can’t let your personal relationships censor your words and what you really mean to say. Ann also shares this wonderful quote from August Wilson: “Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your angels to sing.”

6. The reason you are writing an essay is not to get revenge, but it is also not to mythologise a person.

Exposure is not illumination. No hero is totally heroic and no villain is completely villainous. The less judgement you put on your characters, the more your reader will see their flaws.

7. Find the objective corelative.

What is the object or event that can take on the burden of the emotion? A thing that is used in place of emotion, for example Alice Walker’s The Flowers , or Junot Diaz’s The Money  where the money stands in for alienation and homesickness.

8. Do not report events, make sense of them.

What is that meaning of that thing? Poet Cecil Day-Lewis says, “We do not write to be understood. We write to understand.”

9. Every story is two stories.

Quoting Grace Paley from a 1987 lecture: “There is no story that is just one story. Every story is two stories. It is the one on the surface, and the one bubbling beneath.”  The climax is then when these two stories collide. Ann goes on to say that a Kick-Ass Essay has three endings. You resolve the external conflict, the internal conflict and then you let them collide. When you think you’re finished, you must keep pushing.

10. Don’t hide – open your mind and your heart.

We hide behind language. We hide from the voices of others. We hide behind the hardest sentence to write – behind ourselves. We put up armour protection ourselves and others. Ann quotes George Saunders: “Stay open. Forever. So open it hurts. And then open up some more until the day you die. Amen.”

Aren’t these great!? Let me say it again,  THANK YOU ANN HOOD!

You can visit the Tin House website here.

You can visit Ann Hood’s website here. She is also on Twitter here.

Image via ArtsATL.com

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3 Replies to “Ann Hood’s Top Ten Tips On How To Write A Kick-Ass Essay”

Wendy I’m sooo glad you posted this! I was on the Tin House blog and came across it and was dying to hear it all but I had to leave–and here you posted what I missed!! Thank you, fellow writer! Amy

Wendy I actually wrote a very small essay today after reading your post 🙂

That’s fantastic Amy. I found Ann’s take on essay writing very inspiring and emotionally driven, which is what essays are all about. So glad it’s getting us all writing!

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All Contents © McCormack Communications

How To Write A Kick-Ass Essay

Too often, when writers try to write an essay, they stumble on common pitfalls like cramming too much information into too small a space, giving too much back story, or trying to write an essay for a particular column rather than writing an emotionally true one. We all have read memoirs that take our breath away, but how does a writer manage to produce that effect in under 3,000 words?

In this lecture from our 2014 Summer Writer’s Workshop, Ann Hood offers up ten steps to help you write a kick-ass essay.

Related Posts:

When the action is hot, write cool, on defamiliarization.

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How to write a kickass essay?

Essay structure.

• A topic sentence. This is where you set forth your fundamental idea.
• Supporting sentences. They cover the details and develop your message.
• Arguments, proof, or examples from the subject area. They're needed to support the author's point of view.
• A critical conclusion based on your opinions and evidence.
• A closing sentence. It sums up the thesis and transitions to the next paragraph.

Essay classification

• Explanatory – explains a process, its stages, and its history.
• Informative – present information that’s new to the reader.
• Descriptive – describe a theme or the situation around it.
• Convincing – Convincing the reader to adopt a specific point of view.
• Classic. 5 paragraphs. The format is suitable for a persuasive, informative, explanatory essay.
• Analytical. In this format, you present a comprehensive analysis of the selected theme. The author must showcase their critical thinking skills and provide personal conclusions.
• Creative writing. The author can choose a theme and style and describe their personal experience.
• Narrative. The format is similar to creative writing, but the author needs to follow a specific structure and formatting rules.
• Orientation. The essay talks about the theme and idea reader. It doesn’t include any conclusions or opinions.
• Process. Such a project has a step-by-step structure and explains how this or that process functions.

Steps of writing essay

• The preparatory stage. The author picks a theme, studies the question, and creates an essay plan.
• Writing. The author creates a draft version and states their central thesis, backing it up with arguments. After finishing the draft, the author polishes the structure and edits the text and format.
• Proofreading — is when the author checks the content, consistency of presentation, grammar, spelling, and formatting. It’s also vital you check your essay for plagiarism.
• Enjoying the creation .

Common mistakes when writing an essay

• Writing and editing the text simultaneously leads to difficulties, and the process becomes hampered. You end up using both cerebral hemispheres at the same time, with each one interfering with the activity of the other.
• Picking a boring theme simply because it’s easier. Neither the author nor the audience is interested in the essay, making the entire experience dull, and the article fails to provide any meaningful contribution to its field.
• Watering down your thesis in conclusion. The message of the essay must be powerful. We don’t recommend writing something like, “this is but one of the existing opinions out there.”
• Not checking the essay for plagiarism . Authors who engage in plagiarism intentionally or by accident damage their reputations greatly.

Don't forget to check essay for plagiarism

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November 9th 2022

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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7 ways to write a “kick-ass” column, via Sally Jenkins

This morning on Twitter I awarded The Washington Post’s Sally Jenkins a gold medal for a “ kick-ass column ” she wrote about Olympic urinator Ryan Lochte.

Check out her lead: “Ryan Lochte is the dumbest bell that ever rang.”

As I read and then re-read her column, I realized that I had placed it in an important and influential sub-genre of journalistic opinion and persuasion designated by old-timers as “kick-ass.”

This essay, which I would describe as brain-twitch rather than kick-ass, answers these questions:

• What makes a column “kick-ass?”
• What are the essential elements of such a column?
• How does Jenkins fulfill those?

I learned the term “kick-ass” after writing my first — and only — column for ESPN . Here is a taste:

University of Florida head football coach Urban Meyer has proved himself to be a bully and a hypocrite. His threats against an Orlando Sentinel reporter, Jeremy Fowler, on Wednesday confirm the coach’s emotional instability, a sign that he may have been allowed to return way too early from his medical leave of absence.”

The feedback from veteran sportswriters, such as John Schulian and Dave Kindred, was enthusiastic, and more than one used the term “kick-ass” as an adjective of praise.

Related Training: The Writing Process: Improve Your Writing in Five Steps

A kick-ass column is not a hatchet job. It is not an ideological rant, like the ones we’ve seen in current political discourse. It is not a string of irrational insults. It is not a snark-infested pool of invective. These may be fun to read at times, but they are not persuasive. A kick-ass column often will contain these elements:

In our day, journalism produces two kinds of leads: the often cluttered news lead or the too ambitious narrative lead. Fading as an element of craft is the super-short lead, the one that we use violent language to describe, the one that grabs you by the throat, stabs you in the back or punches you in the solar plexus.

Old-school. In 1953, John Justin Smith of the Chicago Daily News sparked a crusade against slumlords with this lead:

In Chicago in the 20th Century, the 10 Lee kids had bread for lunch. Bread and what? Bread and nothing…just bread. “That’s right, just bread. There’s nothing else,” said one of the kids.

Jenkins’ topic is not so weighty, but inspires its own form of outrage:

The 32-year-old swimmer is so landlocked in juvenility that he pulled an all-nighter with guys young enough to call him uncle. His story to NBC’s Billy ‘what-are-you-wearing’ Bush had the quality of a kid exaggerating the size of a fish, and notice how he was the hero of every detail. That was always the most dubious, implausible part.

A kick-ass column can have moments of nuance, but those slight variations in tone do not define it. Word choice must amplify that torch of a lead.

A column is not kick-ass if it does not prove its point. It depends upon a body of evidence, a kind of non-legal indictment. This comes in at least two forms: a set of facts derived from responsible sources, or an abbreviated narrative that invites readers to look at what happened and draw judgments about the players.

Early on, Jenkins notes: “You can see the bathroom door appear to burst out of its wooden frame on the security video….” And later: “In his shifting public accounts, Lochte never mentioned that busted-up bathroom. Now put yourself in the shoes of the overrun and pride-stung local police when they saw that video of the Americans returning to the Athletes’ Village a little after 6 a.m. so cheerfully buzzed, with Lochte blithely twirling his credential on a chain and all of them still in possession of their cellphones and watches.”

John Updike once wrote a kick-ass column about the creation of the pop-top beer opener that began like this:

“This is an era of gratuitous inventions and negative improvements. Consider the beer can.”

That is a useful example of S.I. Hayakawa’s famous semantic model “the ladder of abstraction.” Updike begins pretty high on the ladder to offer us an idea. He jumps down to give us an example we can see.

Sometimes abstractions take the form of character adjectives. “Is there anything worse, in any country,” writes Jenkins, “than a bunch of entitled young drunks who break the furniture and pee on a wall? There is no translator need for that one, no cultural norm that excuses it.”

That movement is from an abstraction (entitlement) to concrete examples (pee on a wall) back up to the level of ideas (cultural norms).

A gold coin, defined by my pal Don Fry, is any element in a story that rewards the reader’s attention. It can be a startling fact, a telling anecdote, a turn of phrase. Too often, editors move them up, making a story top-heavy, the toxic waste dripping to the bottom. Placed strategically throughout a story or column, a gold coin reminds readers why they entered the story and offers incentive to keep going.

A lead should be a gold coin, and “dumbest bell” plays nicely off of the word “dummy,” meaning stupid, and the muscle-bound connotations of “dumbbell.”

These snippets feel like gold coins:

“He must have thought Ryan Lochte’s pee was gold dust.”

“This is a guy who apparently lied to his own mother.”

Some readers did not like this sentence from Jenkins, the only moment I see where she uses the first person: “If I had been working at that Brazilian gas station, I might have pulled a gun on them, too.” The column would have worked without it. It is clearly a joke, but there is a understandable sensitivity these days (in the U.S. and Brazil) to gun violence, especially as it involves law enforcement.

You can’t cut a kick-ass column from the bottom. If you do, you may kill the kicker, that final thought that locks the box, screeches the trumpet, high-kicks off the stage. Here is Jenkins:

Then on Thursday morning, even as Conger and Bentz were in a police station and authorities were mulling potential charges, he posted an idiotic video of himself. It was a distortion-lensed, cartoonish video of him babbling at his friend and fellow American swimmer Elizabeth Beisel. Lochte eventually deleted it. Which was too bad because it was a perfect portrait of a halfwit.

I might have been tempted to end it there, but I finished eighth in my heat, while Jenkins gets the gold:

“Lochte’s done as a public figure, of course. Which is probably the most effective form of justice for someone who apparently so craves attention. Oblivion is what he deserves.”

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How To Write A Kick-Ass Essay, with Ann Hood

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How to Write a Kick-Ass Application Essay

If so, read on – after reading hundreds of essays for applications and scholarships during my career, I can say with enthusiasm what the best essays contain (hint – the answer lies in the essay prompt).

I’ve been thinking about writing this post for quite some time; however, recently I was a reviewer for a national scholarship competition and it’s time that I share the step-by-step process that I wish all students would take for essays.

Step 1: Read the prompt.

No, really.  Read it.  The whole thing.  Yep, even that little bit at the end that describes the formatting.

Yes, there are a lot of words.

We know.  However, all of those words were used for a reason.

Keep in mind that for these kinds of prompts, your essays likely determine a significant part of your future .

All right.  Now that you’ve read the prompt, it’s time to move on to…

Step 2: Re-read and dissect the prompt.

Ah HA!  You thought you were done with the prompt!

This time,  realllllllly  read that sucker.  It maybe looks something like this:

For the blah blah blah program/scholarship/college, describe your personal, professional, and academic goals and how this program will help you achieve those goals. Also, give us some information about your background.

With your favorite highlighting tool, find all of the things that the reviewing committee might be looking for.  This is why you’ve read the prompt at least twice by this time.  Here is what the prompt should look like now:

For the blah blah blah program/scholarship/college, describe your personal , professional , and academic goals and how this program will help you achieve those goals .  Also, give us some information about your background .  

It sounds suspiciously like the reviewers will be looking for 4 things – how the program will help you personally, how the program will help you professionally, how the program will help you academically, and your background.

(Side note: usually essay prompts provide really specific questions that address what the reviewers want to hear about your background.  Keep your response in this part focused on what they ask to hear.)

It looks like you have all of the sections of your essay by now.  Now, it’s time for…

Step 3: Brain dump into your essay sections.

A more sophisticated description of this part is “brainstorm” or “outline.”  I don’t care what you call it – just get your ideas into the appropriate areas.

Let’s say I’m planning on studying abroad in China for an immersive language program because I’m a linguistics major.  My application outline would probably look something like this:

• Always fascinated by Chinese culture because of my third grade teacher
• Started studying Mandarin when I was 8 and have wanted to immerse myself in Chinese culture ever since
• Became a linguistics major to develop a better understanding about the world and international relations
• Primary language goal is to develop working knowledge of 20,000 Chinese characters
• Adding an East Asian studies minor
• Required to have a global component as part of studies; this will fulfill it
• Hope to work with Chinese immigrants by providing relocation help
• Plan to move to China or Taiwan after graduation for a year as a translator
• Ultimately want to develop a bilingual business that works with incoming Chinese students
• Studying abroad in an unfamiliar context will challenge me in every way
• Will be better equipped to assist immigrants and refugees, like I currently do as a volunteer
• I hate being alone; I hope that this experience will allow me to be more comfortable with being alone

Notice that each section is fairly even.  This is important – sometimes it is very easy to provide more details in one section over another (yep, that infamous “tell me about yourself” section).  You don’t want to get distracted from the overall point of the essay.

Now that you have an outline of sorts, you can move on to…

Step 4: Put your brain dump into complete sentences.

Create the sentences!  Use all of the tools you have learned in every writing class you have ever taken to form non-caveman-like sentences.  Use the appropriate writing style for your audience.

Once you feel like you are out of sentences (or you have reached the word limit), you can proceed to…

Step 5: Tear your paper apart (figuratively).

That escalated quickly.

Before you destroy your work, take a breather.  Take some time away.  Grab a coffee (or a beverage of your choosing) and think about things that are not your essay for a little bit.

Then, sit back down and read your essay while pretending like you didn’t write the essay.

Identify the parts where even you felt a little bored (be honest).  Think about the following questions: can you clean up the language to make it less “blah?”  Is this absolutely necessary for the overall essay?  What can you take out?  What should you move around?

If something doesn’t make sense, change it so it does.

I know that it is horrendously hard to edit your own essay.  Everything in your essay feels important to you, but for your own good it’s important to politely break up with some not-so-strong sentences that could bring down your essay overall.

If you need to tell the sentence “it’s not you, it’s me” before you delete it, that’s fine.  Just let go of the sentences that aren’t supporting you in the way that they should.  Be strong.  You can do it.  We all believe in you.  Now…

Step 6: Make the paragraphs!

Realize that, before, I only said to write in complete sentences.  If you already naturally created paragraphs, fabulous!  If you didn’t, think about your future and break your sentence groupings into those paragraphs.

As you read along, are there transitions between your paragraphs, or do things still feel disjointed?  Transitions are sometimes tricky, but are incredibly important – they can make your entire essay seem well-reasoned, while their absence can make you appear unsure about why you should be considered for the program.

Finally, now you can go to…

Step 7: Review your beautiful essay.

Look at the prompt again.  It will always be following you.

After a quick read of your essay, ask – did you answer all of the questions?  Did you  really answer all of the questions?  Did you put similar examples behind each portion, or are you a little heavy-handed at parts?

This is a good time to tweak some of your word choices, review your paragraph order, and double check that everything makes sense.

Generally speaking, application reviewers might cringe at incorrect word choice, grammar, or punctuation, but these errors won’t make or break most applications (unless the application is for a position with an emphasis on attention to detail).  For example, my soul quivers with anxiety when I see the wrong form of to/too/two, your/you’re/yore and other similar words, but that’s the worst that can happen with that.

Reviewers will, however, be able to tell if you skipped large portions of an essay prompt and can remove your application from consideration for not answering part of a question.

This is why, at the end of the day, your success or failure all comes back to the essay prompt and your attention to it.

Some final thoughts:

• If you are asked at any time to talk about your goals, make sure that they are  SMART : S pecific, M easurable, A ttainable, R elevant and T ime-bound.
• Use punctuation.  Commas save lives.
• Transitions between your paragraphs will make your essay fluid (and keep your reviewer happy).
• Avoid stream-of-conscience writing.  You know, like this entire post.
• Search your paper for idiomatic phrases.  Change them.
• Ask a friend, trusted neighbor, stranger on the street, or someone who knows nothing about your program to read your essay (in exchange for something, of course).  If any parts seem unclear to them, retool the parts that are unclear.
• Proofread all of the things.

Hopefully now you will be on your way to completing a competitive essay!

For more study abroad inspiration and tips, follow me on Pinterest !

Related posts: Ask an Advisor: Where Should I Study Abroad? How to Get Credit for Study Abroad Programs Why Students Prefer Spring Study Abroad (and Why You Should Consider Fall!) 7 Habits of Successful Study Abroad Students Study Abroad Guide: Preparation Phase

Do you have any tips for writing a kick-ass essay?  Share below!

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How To Make Your introductory Paragraph Stand Out

Today's blog is all about one thing: creating a kick-ass introductory paragraph that gets your essay noticed and adored by your professors. A clear, concise, and dare I say kick-ass opening paragraph truly sets up your essay for success. Your intro paragraph can help organize your essay. Below you will find my best tips for being concise, relevant, humorous, professional, and enticing in your introductory paragraph. You don't have to use every single suggestion, but listen up y'all, we are going on an adventure in writing land.

As a sociology student, I write a lot of papers. Every week in my Violence & Society class we are assigned a 2-page single spaced paper (aka about 1400 words a week, ouch!) Writing a great introductory paragraph is my key to starting my essays off with a bang, and I want to show you how to do that today.

Having a concise introductory paragraph is key to a great introductory paragraph. This paragraph doesn't need to be long, but it needs to set up the entire essay. The easiest way to be concise? List exactly what you will be talking about.

As you can see in the introductory paragraph above I stated:

 Below you will find my best tips for being concise, relevant, humorous, professional, and enticing in your introductory paragraph.

As you can tell by now, these are my goals; this is what I want you to learn as you scroll through my article. A reader should be able to see your introductory paragraph and know precisely what you intend to talk about throughout the essay. This is introductory paragraph 101, but using this method in my introductory paragraph has never steered me wrong, even as I am working on my Master's degree.

Being concise also means that you should stick to a sentence limit (five sentence paragraph, yes please!), make sure you proofread to cut out sentences that repeat or don't add value to your writing, and that you are sharing your best work first. A great introductory paragraph can boost the mood of the entire paper honestly.

Intro paragraph length does change as you create longer articles. For example, when your article is 25+ pages, you're introduction will likely be much longer than five sentences. Make sure that your intro paragraph is concise as it relates to the larger goal of your paper. Longer page lengths require more setup and a longer intro.

Be Relevant

The reason that I want you to be relevant is simple–including current events makes a statement. A few months ago I did a paper on gun control and gun violence for my Violence & Society class, and it was around the time of Sarah Palin's Donald Trump rally speech, so I included the following in my paper:

We have a lot of gun violence, but is gun control the right way to go about this issue? Also what exactly does our 2nd Amendment right give us the right to? What about the Right-winging, bitter-clinging, proud clingers of our guns, our God, and our religion, and our Constitution that Sarah Palin was talking about? How does that fit into the gun violence debate?

The reason I love including current events in my introduction paragraph is that it ties the issues discussed in the reading to events happening now. Your professor will appreciate the injection (where appropriate) of more current stories into the papers that you write. Most of all it shows that you can make connections between what you are writing about and real-life events. Especially in the liberal arts field, I believe that being able to make connections is essential. It shows that you can apply what you read and research to real-life situations.

Be Humorous

Your professors are reading a lot of papers usually when they read for class, why not give them a little humor in your paper to make the time grading seem a bit less harsh. In the example I gave above I used humor in bringing up a recent event in the introduction of my paper on gun violence and gun control.

Humor is one of those topics that I feel is important when writing, but using the correct amount and type of humor is important. You don't want to be unnecessarily crude in your papers–after all this is a professional paper. Injecting a few funny words here and there is a great way to get on your professor's good side.

Be Professional

When writing, I think we all need to remember to be professional! Yes, you want to do a lot of other things in your college papers, but above all else, you want to keep it professional.

• Be mindful of contractions: If you are like me, I love a good contraction. I love to say y'all, isn't, ain't, and everything else. Contractions and I are best friends, but it's just simply not professional. We are great friends here on The Happy Arkansan, so I'm not going to clean up my contractions here (sorry, not sorry) but be sure that you are keeping up with contraction use in your introductory paragraph and your college papers as a whole.
• Grammar and Spelling Matters: Besides contractions, other grammar and spelling matters in college writing. Be sure that you run your paper through a spelling and grammar checker. Run your paper by a friend or two as well. You get used to writing your paper and miss grammar and spelling errors after a while.
• Remember to use your writing center: This is such an important part of writing a professional intro, but also a professional paper. Your universities writing center has a ton of amazing people hired to help you write better articles. If you need help with any of the following things you can get that help from your writing center.

Be Enticing

Last, but not least, be enticing. Why should someone want to continue to read your paper? Your professors are going to read your paper anyway, but why not give them a great paper to read instead of a boring one? Entice your professor by giving away just the right amount of content in your introductory paragraph, the right amount of humor, the right amount of relevance, etc. This is so important if you want to use your paper for something in the future like a conference or something of that nature. There will come a time where people won't have to continue to read your paper after they read your introduction if they don't want to. You want to make sure you entice those people too.

What will you do to create a better paper in the future?

Amanda Cross

Amanda is the original voice behind The Happy Arkansan. She is a happiness enthusiast with a passion for helping others, marketing, and red/purple lipstick.

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Great tips Amanda 🙂 fashionphases.com

Merisa Ferrell

These are really great writing tips in general. A truly original and helpful post too, perfect timing! xx Merisa | Monogrammed Magnolias

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• Knowledge Base
• How to write an essay introduction | 4 steps & examples

How to Write an Essay Introduction | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on February 4, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 23, 2023.

A good introduction paragraph is an essential part of any academic essay . It sets up your argument and tells the reader what to expect.

The main goals of an introduction are to:

• Catch your reader’s attention.
• Give background on your topic.
• Present your thesis statement —the central point of your essay.

This introduction example is taken from our interactive essay example on the history of Braille.

The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. 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.

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Table of contents

Step 1: hook your reader, step 2: give background information, step 3: present your thesis statement, step 4: map your essay’s structure, step 5: check and revise, more examples of essay introductions, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.

Your first sentence sets the tone for the whole essay, so spend some time on writing an effective hook.

Avoid long, dense sentences—start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.

The hook should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of the topic you’re writing about and why it’s interesting. Avoid overly broad claims or plain statements of fact.

Examples: Writing a good hook

Take a look at these examples of weak hooks and learn how to improve them.

• Braille was an extremely important invention.
• The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability.

The first sentence is a dry fact; the second sentence is more interesting, making a bold claim about exactly  why the topic is important.

• The internet is defined as “a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities.”
• The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education.

Avoid using a dictionary definition as your hook, especially if it’s an obvious term that everyone knows. The improved example here is still broad, but it gives us a much clearer sense of what the essay will be about.

• Mary Shelley’s  Frankenstein is a famous book from the nineteenth century.
• Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific advancement.

Instead of just stating a fact that the reader already knows, the improved hook here tells us about the mainstream interpretation of the book, implying that this essay will offer a different interpretation.

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Next, give your reader the context they need to understand your topic and argument. Depending on the subject of your essay, this might include:

• Historical, geographical, or social context
• An outline of the debate you’re addressing
• A summary of relevant theories or research about the topic
• Definitions of key terms

The information here should be broad but clearly focused and relevant to your argument. Don’t give too much detail—you can mention points that you will return to later, but save your evidence and interpretation for the main body of the essay.

How much space you need for background depends on your topic and the scope of your essay. In our Braille example, we take a few sentences to introduce the topic and sketch the social context that the essay will address:

Now it’s time to narrow your focus and show exactly what you want to say about the topic. This is your thesis statement —a sentence or two that sums up your overall argument.

This is the most important part of your introduction. A  good thesis isn’t just a statement of fact, but a claim that requires evidence and explanation.

The goal is to clearly convey your own position in a debate or your central point about a topic.

Particularly in longer essays, it’s helpful to end the introduction by signposting what will be covered in each part. Keep it concise and give your reader a clear sense of the direction your argument will take.

As you research and write, your argument might change focus or direction as you learn more.

For this reason, it’s often a good idea to wait until later in the writing process before you write the introduction paragraph—it can even be the very last thing you write.

When you’ve finished writing the essay body and conclusion , you should return to the introduction and check that it matches the content of the essay.

It’s especially important to make sure your thesis statement accurately represents what you do in the essay. If your argument has gone in a different direction than planned, tweak your thesis statement to match what you actually say.

To polish your writing, you can use something like a paraphrasing tool .

You can use the checklist below to make sure your introduction does everything it’s supposed to.

Checklist: Essay introduction

My first sentence is engaging and relevant.

I have introduced the topic with necessary background information.

I have defined any important terms.

My thesis statement clearly presents my main point or argument.

Everything in the introduction is relevant to the main body of the essay.

You have a strong introduction - now make sure the rest of your essay is just as good.

• Argumentative
• Literary analysis

This introduction to an argumentative essay sets up the debate about the internet and education, and then clearly states the position the essay will argue for.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

This introduction to a short expository essay leads into the topic (the invention of the printing press) and states the main point the essay will explain (the effect of this invention on European society).

In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be literate. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.

This introduction to a literary analysis essay , about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein , starts by describing a simplistic popular view of the story, and then states how the author will give a more complex analysis of the text’s literary devices.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale. Arguably the first science fiction novel, its plot can be read as a warning about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, and in popular culture representations of the character as a “mad scientist”, Victor Frankenstein represents the callous, arrogant ambition of modern science. However, far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to gradually transform our impression of Frankenstein, portraying him in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as.

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!

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Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

• An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
• Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
• A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

The “hook” is the first sentence of your essay introduction . It should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of why it’s interesting.

To write a good hook, avoid overly broad statements or long, dense sentences. Try to start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

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.

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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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Related Reads:

• What is an Argumentative Essay? How to Write It (With Examples)
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• How to Cite Social Media Sources in Academic Writing? 

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