Student Question
What are three steps of a well-thought-out essay introduction, with examples?
Quick answer:
A well-thought-out introduction is important because it will get your audience's attention and keep them interested in the message of your piece. An introduction should contain a hook, supporting statements, and a thesis statement.
A good introduction sets the tone for what will follow. Whether you are writing an essay or making a speech, it will be your introduction that grabs your audience's attention and makes them interested enough to pay attention to the rest of what you have to say. Conversely, a poor introduction will only serve to turn off your audience. Remember that you only have one chance to make a good first impression.
There are several elements of an effective introduction. The first part is usually the hook, also known as an introductory statement (or sometimes an introductory question). This should be a compelling sentence that grabs your audience's attention right out of the gate. Common hooks are interesting facts, a relevant quotation, or a question for the reader to ponder. An example could be the following: "Although famine is a major problem around the world, Americans throw away billions of...
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dollars worth of food every year."
The hook should be followed by supporting statements. In one to three sentences, you should use these statements as a bridge that connects your hook to your thesis statement. The following is an example of this:"Few people consciously waste food. In fact, many people give regularly to food relief programs and put effort into conserving resources. Nevertheless, food waste continues to be a problem."
Your introduction should conclude with a thesis statement. This states the overall purpose of your essay or speech. It also should briefly lay out your plan for what is to follow. The following is an example of a thesis statement: "Awareness programs are needed to end the problem of food waste because if more people know about the problem, then we can start to make real change to end world hunger."