How to Write a Good Introduction

Your introduction is your chance to make a good first impression on your readers. It’s the first thing they’ll read, so it needs to be strong and engaging. Here are a few tips for writing a good introduction:

Start with a hook

The first sentence of your introduction should grab your readers’ attention and make them want to read more. This could be a surprising statistic, a thought-provoking question, or a vivid anecdote. For example:

“Every day, over 2,000 people die from preventable medical errors.”
“Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live on another planet?”
“I’ll never forget the day I saw a bear in my backyard.”

Provide context

Once you’ve hooked your readers, you need to provide them with some context. This will help them understand what your article, essay, or story is about. You can do this by giving them some background information, explaining the problem you’re going to solve, or introducing the characters in your story. For example:

“Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States.” (background information)
“The year is 2042 and humans have finally colonized Mars.” (problem you’re going to solve)
“The main character in our story is a young woman named Sarah who lives in a small town in Maine.”

State your thesis

Your thesis statement is the main point of your article, essay, or story. It should be a clear and concise statement that tells your readers what you’re going to argue or tell them. For example:

Thesis statement for an article about medical errors: “Medical errors are a serious problem in the United States, but there are several things that can be done to reduce them.”
Thesis statement for an essay about colonizing Mars: “Colonizing Mars is a challenging but achievable goal, and it offers many potential benefits for humanity.”
Thesis statement for a story about a young woman named Sarah: “Sarah is a strong and independent young woman who overcomes many challenges to achieve her dreams.”

Wrap it up

End your introduction with a sentence that wraps up your main points and leaves your readers wanting more. This could be a call to action, a thought-provoking question, or a preview of what’s to come. For example: