What is the definitive feature of ‘Star Wars’ that even non-fans know? The iconic opening with the on-screen backstory. The lines slowly slide through the galaxy. They tell everything about the world of aliens. As soon as you start watching the movie, you already know what happened in cosmic history. How do you put together an unforgettable ‘opening’ or introduction to your academic paper? Check out the tips from our experts below.
Why is an introduction important?
An introduction is the first part of the student’s essay or research paper. ‘I will write my paper with or without introductory part?’ If you want your writing to be cohesive, compose an intro. A well-written introduction sets the tone for your paper. It describes the problem to be discussed for the reader.
Now imagine that your reader knows nothing about the topic. An introduction is a perfect place to give more details about the background of the problem. It is a place for facts, statistics and, of course, a statement at the end.
#1: An intro as thematic overture
Do you remember ‘Gone with the Wind’? The classic 1939 film has a traditional overture that can be heard during the opening. While listening to the beautiful romantic piece, the viewer admires the vast southern landscape. The first two minutes put the viewer in the mood. Think of your intro as an overture that sets the whole tone of your writing for the reader.
Both the scenery and the romantic overture take the reader back to the American South of the 1850s. Do the same in your essay. Suppose you are writing an essay about the importance of technology. Start with ‘imagine the world without internet, coffee machines and smartphones’.
Keep it up. Continue with ‘there is no electricity and only a candle is the source of your evening light’. Voila! Now your readers are ready to hear about the importance of modern technology.
#2: Catch that phrase
Yes, your first sentence should keep the reader’s attention on your essay. Here is the best strategy for presenting data that will shock or amuse the reader. ‘Should I write my paper with logic or emotion?’ Use both! Mix emotions with your imagination and appeal to the reader’s feelings.
- Start with the ‘imagine if….’ As mentioned before, such sentences set the tone for the reader and keep them emotionally engaged
- Keep your reader in the loop. “Imagine you don’t have the right to express your opinion or elect a president. That’s how people live in Russia.’
- Make your reader laugh. Yes, you can open your essay with a joke. Just keep it age appropriate and theme related.
#3: Illustrate your logic
If you want to fill your paper with facts and statistics from the start, do it! Here numbers are your best friends. Be sure to cite the official source from which you got the data.
- Facts. Facts are an effective remedy against the most stubborn adversaries. No one will claim that the earth is round, right?
- Statistics. Numbers are the language that tells the truth, regardless of our intention to listen or not. “Did you know that every fifth person in Africa is starving right now?” A good opening line to start your essay on world hunger.
#4: Don’t forget the thesis
A thesis statement is a mandatory part of every introduction. ‘Shall I write my thesis with an extensive or concise thesis?’ Well, it depends on your topic and the number of arguments you want to defend. Some statements take a few sentences, others only 20 words.
How do you write an effective thesis statement?
- Write the arguments in the order they will appear later in the essay
- Keep your thesis structured and clear
- Always keep in mind that your thesis statement is the main idea of your essay. Therefore, be reasonable.
#5: Create a background
Not all your readers are very familiar with the subject. To some of them, the terms may sound weird and the statistics may seem redundant. When drafting your introduction, include facts that your reader may not know.
Start with statistics and move on to a description of why the topic is important. For example, write down the statistics about hunger in Africa. Then tell the reader about the organizations fighting hunger. Current reasons why hunger is a major global problem. Write down possible solutions in the thesis statement later.
#6: What about the format?
An essay introduction will differ from a research paper introduction. An essay introduction will contain a few sentences. Meanwhile, an introduction in a research paper can take up an entire 200-word section. Of course, the structures will differ slightly. To stay on track, always follow your professor’s instructions.
The average structure of an intro section is as follows:
- An opening sentence to grab the reader’s attention
- A few more sentences in the middle to describe the problem
- A thesis statement
#7: Proofread and edit the introductory paragraph
‘Why should I consider proofreading and editing after writing my paper introduction?’
When writing fast, everyone makes mistakes. Whether it’s grammar or punctuation that suffers the most, always proofread your paper. Meanwhile, timely edits will save your grades. If proofreading is clearly not your piece of cake, leave it to apps like Grammarly. The latter reads your text and even checks it for plagiarism.
What else should one consider to write an excellent paper introduction?
- Use grammar and plagiarism checkers
- Contact a paper writing agency
- Contact your local writing center
- Watch and read paper writing tutorials online
Final thoughts
Your introduction is the first part the reader sees. This section sets the tone for our writing, describes the problem and introduces the thesis. In the opening sentence, keep the perfect balance between emotional and logical appeal. After that, set a background for your reader. Always keep in mind that the intro section should be well organized and follow a specific structure.
We hope the article was useful to you. Good luck!