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  Essay Introduction Basics

  The essay introduction must accomplish two things:

  1. It must capture the readers' attention.
  2. It must clearly introduce the topic.

  Teaching students how to write an introduction for an essay must incorporate these two aspects.
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  Capture the Reader's Attention

   There are several methods to capturing the reader's attention depending on the audience:

  • Quotation: One that sums up the essay would be nice.
  • Definition: Use sparingly. Too many amateur writers use this method.
  • Question: Ask a question in the introduction...and answer it in the body.
  • Problem: Pose a problem in the introduction...and solve it in the body.
  • Statistics: Make sure they're actual statistics and not something you made up on the way to the library.
  • Comparison: Take something the reader is unfamiliar with and relate it to something they are familiar with.
  • Metaphor/Simile: An even more effective comparison for making the complex seem simple.
  • Shocker: Everybody likes surprises. Unfortunately, it's getting harder to shock people.
  • Summary: A brief summary piques reader interest.
  • Anecdote: A short humorous story relevant to the topic eases the reader into the material.
  • Expert opinion: An expert gives you instant credibility with the reader. Make sure the expert is an actual expert and not your Uncle Fred from Topeka

  Essay Introduction Lesson Plan Procedures

  1. Write a topic on the board.
  2. Instruct students to write a hook for the topic using each of the above methods.
  3. Read and discuss.
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  The Thesis Statement

  The thesis statement is the most important part of the essay introduction.

  • It introduces the topic in a structured manner.
  • It appears as the last sentence of the introduction.
  • It contains a subject and an opinion.
  • In a persuasive essay it must take a stand.

  Essay Introduction Lesson Plan Procedures

  Copy the following sentences on the board and instruct students to identify them as thesis statements or non thesis statements.

  • Romeo and Juliet was written by William Shakespeare. (no)
  • Shakespeare uses irony effectively in Romeo and Juliet. (yes)
  • The death penalty should be abolished. (yes)
  • The death penalty is legal in 49 states (no)
  • English is my favorite subject (yes)
  • Science is boring (yes)

Using Evidence to Improve Writing

1. Lesson Plan: Using Evidence and Supporting Details in Writing
2. Rules of Evidence: How to Use Supporting Details Lesson Plan
3. Lesson Plan: How to Write an Introduction for an Essay