How to start an essay example

You want your essay to evoke emotions and to keep your readers interested from start to finish. Before you can do that, you need to know who your readers are. If you’re writing an essay as a class assignment, you don’t necessarily have to write for your instructor. Choose your audience based on the subject matter of your essay.

Writing the introduction. 1 1. Hook your reader. The first sentence of the introduction should pique your reader’s interest and curiosity. This sentence is sometimes called the ... 2 2. Provide background on your topic. 3 3. Present the thesis statement. 4 4. Map the structure.

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. Example: Signposting This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe.

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. What is a hook? The “hook” is the first sentence of your essay introduction.