Essay Structure: Introduction

Overview

The introduction introduces your topic and tells the reader what your essay will argue or explain. It begins with a hook to grab attention and ends with a clear thesis statement that previews the main points of the essay.

What it must include

• A hook to grab attention

• A thesis statement that clearly states your main idea

Hook examples

• A surprising fact

• A question

• A short scenario

• A bold statement

Thesis statement

Your thesis is one clear sentence at the end of your introduction that explains the main point of your essay. Go to Thesis Statements for a closer look.  

Summary

The introduction briefly presents your topic, grabs the reader’s attention with a hook, and ends with a clear thesis. The hook can be a fact, question, scenario, or bold statement, and the thesis—one focused sentence at the end of the intro—states the main point your essay will make.