Skip to Main Content

Learn to Write

A guide to help you understand the process of writing and types of writing for assignments at NorQuest College.

Writing an essay is like having a conversation with someone you've never met before: your reader.

If you open an essay with your main argument, your reader might be confused. Without a proper introduction, there is no context to help them understand why you are making your argument or why they should care.

Imagine that you are sitting on a bus, checking your email, when a complete stranger walks up to you and says, "Dead Poets Society is the best movie ever!"

 

How would you feel?

An announcement that comes out of nowhere from a stranger can often shock and confuse people. Since they have no way of knowing why the stranger is talking to them or what will happen next, many people may also feel uncomfortable.

You don't want your reader to be shocked or confused when they start reading your essay. Just like in a conversation, you need to introduce your topic before getting to your main point.

"That's cool...I like Frozen...?"

©ATIC12/iStock/Thinkstock. Used under licence. All rights reserved.

 

An introductory paragraph should:

  • Grab your reader's attention with a hook or introductory statement
  • Introduce your topic
  • Guide your reader to your main argument or thesis
  • Tell them what you will cover in the rest of the essay

The structure should start with general details about your topic and end with specific items (this is usually where your thesis statement would be found).

 

 

(adapted from University of Arizona Global Campus, n.d.)

Introduction sentences
Introduction paragraphs
Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Details and Exceptions.