Unit 4: Fundamentals of Academic Essay Writing

33 Introductions

Preview Questions:

  1. Why are introductions important?
  2. What are the components of an effective introduction?

Writing Effective Introductions

The introduction is the first paragraph of an essay. It is often one of the hardest parts to write. Many writers choose to write the introduction after they finish the body of the essay. This is a good strategy because it helps the introduction match the main ideas of the paper.

You may want to revise your introduction and conclusion at the same time in order to maintain consistency to the start and finish of your essay.

The Three Functions of an Effective Introduction

  1. Engage your reader using opening statements.
  2. Introduce your topic and provide connecting information.
  3. State your thesis (usually the last sentence of the introduction).

Example of an introduction (from the Model Essay on peer feedback)

The process of writing academic papers involves many steps: exploring a topic through reading and writing, narrowing a topic, organizing the ideas, writing multiple drafts, getting feedback and making revisions. Over multiple drafts, the writer refines their ideas in part by getting feedback from readers. In a classroom, the teacher and the classmates, or peers, can serve as easily accessible readers. Peer feedback, also called peer review or peer response, is widely used in writing classes for both native speakers and English as a Second Language (ESL) students. Peer review benefits both the writer and the reviewer, and it can be just as useful as teacher feedback.
Analysis of the Example Introduction
  • Sentences 1–2: The writer begins with a general description of the writing process.
  • Sentence 3: The focus becomes more specific, introducing peer feedback in the classroom.
  • Sentence 4: The writer defines peer feedback and gives background information, including the context of ESL writing classes.
  • Sentence 5 (Thesis): The last sentence states the main idea: peer review is beneficial and as useful as teacher feedback.

The introduction prepares the reader for the supporting points that will appear in the body of the essay.

Function 1: Engage your Reader

The first one or two sentences of an introduction should get the reader interested in the topic. These are called “opening statements” because they start the essay and show what the essay will be about. Some common ways to write an opening statement are listed below:
  • Describe a problem or issue:
    Explain a problem connected to the topic and give a little background so the reader understands why it is important.
  • Give a short historical review:
    Explain something that happened in the past and show how it relates to the situation today.
  • Use a quotation, fact, or statistic:
    Start with a quote from an expert or an interesting number or fact from a source. Make sure it clearly connects to the topic and is cited correctly.
  • Define an important term:
    Explain a key word or idea that helps the reader understand the topic better.
  • Move from general to specific:
    Begin with a broad idea (for example, “Many college students…”) and then move slowly toward the specific topic of the essay.
Unlike magazine writing, which often tries to “grab attention” with dramatic opening lines, academic writing is more objective and direct. Avoid starting with proverbs (“Every coin has two sides”), questions (“Why do students come to the United States to study?), or personal stories (“When I was a high school student”) because these sound too informal for college writing. Instead, begin with relevant information that helps the reader understand your topic.

Function 2: Provide Connecting Information

After the opening statements, give more explanation to guide the reader toward the thesis. This section may include:

  • Background information
  • A short explanation of the topic
  • A definition or brief history

The goal is to connect the opening to the main idea of the essay.

Function 3: State your Thesis

The thesis statement is usually the last sentence of the introduction. It clearly states:

  • The main idea of the essay
  • The writer’s position or claim

Think of the thesis as a road map. It helps the reader understand what the essay will discuss and how it will be organized.

Key Takeaways

  • Introductions prepare the reader for the essay.
  • Strong introductions have three functions: engage, connect, and state the thesis.
  • Opening statements should be academic and clear, not personal or dramatic.
  • The thesis statement usually comes at the end and guides the entire essay.

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Academic Writing I Copyright © by UW-Madison ESL Program is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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