A good introduction lets the reader know what you are going to write about. Regardless of an essay or blog post, the introduction contains the scope of the argument or discussion. Start by enticing the reader through a compelling opening. From there, provide some transitional sentences to get to the main idea, then move from a broad idea to a more specific idea.
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Method 1 of 4: Creating Interesting Opening Sentences
Step 1. Begin with a quote to give weight to the argument
This is perfect for personal writing as well as academic essays, as long as you choose the right citation. For example, avoid inspirational quotes in academic papers, but use them for personal writing, such as blog posts.
Make sure the quote relates to the argument. The quote will lead to the discussion in the introduction
Step 2. Choose a bold statement or dynamic introduction
Statements dare to express opinions provocatively. Choose original or controversial statements, not general facts. Make sure you back it up with facts and evidence.
For example, if you are writing an argumentative essay to convince school administrators to abolish homework, you might say, "PR does not contribute to student academic success."
Step 3. Choose a simple story to illustrate the direction of the writing
A short anecdote is a fun option to captivate the reader. However, the anecdote must be relevant to the topic. Otherwise, the reader will be confused. It should also not exceed one paragraph in length, especially in essays or short text.
- Please use fictitious or real anecdotes, in typical words to tell friends, but still have a professional tone.
- For example, “In the past, one type of animal was separated from the predator group in the evolutionary chain. This animal has sharp teeth, was once a ferocious predator, and is a hypercarnivore. Over time, they evolved into a furry animal that sat on your lap: a domestic cat.”
Step 4. Write an example to concretely introduce the topic
Examples are the same as stories, but are usually facts. Try to write it more straightforwardly than a story.
If you're writing about cat traits, give a brief example of traits you've witnessed in your pet cat
Step 5. Choose a broad statement for the direct approach
Choose a broad statement, then aim for a specific main idea. However, do not be so broad as to confuse the reader.
- If you're writing about the nature of domestic cats, don't start with natural evolution, it's too broad. However, you could start with a few sentences about how evolution gave rise to the nature of cats as they are today.
- You might write, "Domestic cats, with their forgotten predatory traits, took thousands of years to evolve into fully docile cats."
Step 6. Ask questions that make the reader think
Choose a compelling statement that grabs the reader's attention and makes them think about the topic. Don't ask questions that are already in topic and avoid cliches.
For example, if you're writing about water quality in a community, you might start with the question, "Did you know that drinking water is legally allowed to contain lead?"
Step 7. Don't start with a definition, unless it's very relevant
This technique is used so often that it becomes stale. Therefore, if it is not absolutely necessary in introducing the topic, you should avoid definitions.
Method 2 of 4: Transition to Main Topic
Step 1. Provide context to give meaning to the opening statement
This section takes you and the reader to the main idea. Provide background or related information on the topic.
If you're using a quote as an opening, continue with, "That quote, from renowned scientist John Biologist, shows how far cats have changed during evolution."
Step 2. Narrow the idea from broad to specific to focus the introduction
Often, the opening sentence is broader than the main idea, and that's okay. In this transition area, use sentences that slowly narrow down the topic until you get to the specific idea you want to cover
If you start with a story about cat evolution, narrow it down by first discussing the traits that cats inherited from their ancestors. Then, continue with traits that developed on their own since being separated from other predators
Step 3. Introduce a specific section for setting the topic
In this transitional sentence, add a specific section to indicate the direction of the discussion to the reader. Use specific points to lead to the main topic.
- For example, you might write, “We can't talk about cat characteristics without mentioning evolution. However, I will focus on the contemporary genes of the domestic cat.”
- You convey to the reader that the main idea of the article is the genes of the domestic cat. So, here it is more specific. However, you're still headed for the main idea sentence to mention what gene to cover specifically.
Step 4. Provide enough information to convince people to keep reading
Provide enough information so that readers are interested and can follow your discussion. However, don't go into the whole argument because the reader won't be compelled to continue.
- One of the functions of the introduction is to captivate the reader. The trick is to find a balance between providing enough information to grab attention, but not so much that all questions are answered up front.
- For example, you may discuss how to demonstrate a cat's evolution into perfect predators, but don't jump right into your introduction.
Method 3 of 4: Writing the Main Idea
Step 1. Introduce the topic through a short and concise statement
This statement is the main idea of the text. Generally, one sentence is sufficient to introduce the main idea, and is a specific part of the introduction. This sentence should be placed at the end of the introductory paragraph.
For example, if your argument is that the nature of domestic cats proves that they are direct descendants of a larger predator, you might write, "Domestic cats exhibit characteristics that prove that their ancestors were large predators."
Step 2. Include the main points as a guide for the reader
As part of stating your argument, you need to provide an overview of the discussion. Provide guidance in the form of specific phrases or sentences that provide a discussion plan. Thus, the reader will search for the topic when reading the full text.
- For example, add the following statement, “With its sharp teeth and carnivorous nature, as well as reliable hunting abilities, the domestic cat exhibits characteristics that prove that its ancestors were large predators, a fact that is demonstrated by its characteristic similarities with the world's largest cats.”
- This statement conveys that you will focus on 3 traits and that you plan to show connections with other cat families.
- In some cases, the main points are not included in the introduction. As long as the points will be explained in the core of the paper and related to the thesis sentence, it doesn't matter.
Step 3. Place the main idea at the end of the introduction
The main idea statement provides a transition between the introduction and the discussion that follows. Therefore, it must be located before the beginning of the main discussion. However, if necessary, you can include a transition sentence to let the reader know that you are going to continue.
Method 4 of 4: Creating a More Creative Introduction
Step 1. Use original phrases to make the introduction more interesting
Sometimes there is an urge to use clichés or common phrases in your introduction, especially if you have no idea what to write. However, there is a risk that the opening of the essay will be boring, and that is not a good start.
- Avoid clichéd phrases or phrases like, “He who sows, he reaps.”
- This phrase is okay to use, only if you can explain how it relates to the topic in a unique way, or in a way that the reader doesn't expect.
- Similarly, avoid general introductions such as, “This essay is about …, and this is my thesis….”
Step 2. Make sure the introduction fits the overall style of the text
Very informal introductions are generally not suitable for academic essays, much less scientific essays. On the other hand, stiff and formal introductions are generally not suitable for blog posts. When writing the introduction, think about whether the style is appropriate.
Step 3. Revise when you have finished writing the entire text
Writing an introduction before the text is perfectly normal. However, the arguments may change during writing. Therefore, you should re-read the introduction to make sure it fits into the rest of the text.
- In addition, when rearranging the thesis sentence in the conclusion, you can check whether the introduction is still relevant to the content of the text.
- Check the points in the introduction that you plan to cover in the text. Has everything been discussed?
Step 4. Write an introduction after the main discussion to make it easier
Sometimes, when you start writing, you don't know the exact point you want to make. Plus, if you're like a lot of other people, you might find the introduction the hardest part. If so, please write the introduction later.
