A Simple System for Writing Strong Intro Paragraphs

When you're writing a paper, getting started is often the hardest part. Students often come to me ready to write--research in order, strong thesis in mind, well-organized outline ready to use--but also completely unable to begin. There's something about the pressure of a blank Word doc or sheet of paper that can unman even the most prepared writer. If what you have to write is an in-class essay that's part of a timed exam, even worse: now you have a time limit hanging over your head, too. Fortunately, there is a simple solution to the eternal problem of introduction block. Learn how to quickly write strong introduction paragraphs after the jump.

Let's first take a look at the purpose of the introduction paragraph. It exists, of course, to introduce your topic. That's not all, though. Ideally, your intro should also quickly grab your reader's interest, put your topic in context, give some idea of why it's meaningful, and lead smoothly into the thesis or argument of your essay. This may sound like a lot for one measly paragraph to accomplish, and it is, but if you follow the steps below, your introductions will accomplish all that, every time.

Start with a strong opening sentence. The hook should quickly grab your reader's interest. What's interesting to just about anyone? Something relevant to himself or herself. Step back and make a general statement, something that most people will identify with, that will lead in to the more specific topic. For example, let's say I'm writing an essay about labor practices on South American farms. At first glance, that might not seem particularly relevant to my reader's life, so instead of opening with South American farms, I'll open with a line like: "Many of us have noticed that we're paying more at the grocery store for less food."

Spend a couple of sentences giving some more specific background information. A few facts, statistics, or anecdotes will work well here. Think of your introduction paragraph as a funnel. You began with a broad, general statement. Now you're gradually narrowing the focus of your paragraph. I might continue my South American farm practices intro like this: "Produce prices are rising especially quickly. A recent study conducted by the University of Maryland showed that, on average, American households are spending fifteen percent more per pound on produce than they did five years ago" (note: I totally made this up, though I wouldn't be surprised).

Next, bring in some information that directly leads in to your topic or thesis. You're narrowing your focus even more now. For my example, I might write: "A closer look at produce prices reveals a dramatic increase in the cost of produce imported from South America. This rise in prices is directly related to a change in labor practices in South American agriculture."

Finally, end this paragraph with your thesis or purpose statement. Mine might be something like: "The recent changes in South American farming practices have led to numerous negative effects, which must be addressed to avoid increased global hunger."

The intro paragraph as a whole will read:

Many of us have noticed that we're paying more at the grocery store for less food. Produce prices are rising especially quickly. A recent study conducted by the University of Maryland showed that, on average, American households are spending fifteen percent more per pound on produce than they did five years ago. A closer look at produce prices reveals a dramatic increase in the cost of produce imported from South America. This rise in prices is directly related to a change in labor practices in South American agriculture. The recent changes in South American farming practices have led to numerous negative effects, which must be addressed to avoid increased global hunger.

That's it. Four steps, and you've written a solid intro paragraph. There are, of course, countless other ways to structure an intro. This just happens to be one of the simplest and most reliable ways. The most important thing to remember is the funnel structure: start with something general and gradually narrow your focus to the specific. And now that your intro paragraph is done, keep writing!