How to Write an Essay Introduction

An essay introduction has three jobs: catch the reader’s interest, give the context they need, and state your thesis. Get these right and the rest of the essay has a clear road to follow.

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Updated 21 October 2026 · EssayWriting.com editorial team

Key takeaways

An introduction moves from hook to context to thesis.
Aim for about 10 percent of the word count.
Put the thesis at the end of the introduction.

The three-part structure

Part	Purpose	Length
Hook	Make the reader want to continue	One or two sentences
Context	Background, key terms, the debate or problem	Two to four sentences
Thesis	Your main claim and, often, a preview of your points	One or two sentences

For most essays the introduction is around 10 percent of the word count. A 1,500-word essay needs an introduction of roughly 150 words.

Step 1: the hook

Choose a hook that leads naturally into your argument. Options include a surprising fact, a short scenario, a question, a contrast or a brief quotation that you will analyse. See our full guide to essay hooks with examples for every type.

Step 2: the context

Give the reader what they need to understand your thesis: the background of the issue, definitions of key terms, the scope (time, place, texts) and the debate you are joining. Do not start arguing yet, and do not include evidence that belongs in body paragraphs.

Step 3: the thesis

End with your thesis. It should answer the prompt directly and make a claim someone could dispute. Many essays also preview the main points, which helps readers and markers follow the argument. See how to write a thesis statement.

Introduction examples by essay type

Argumentative

Most city centres reserve more land for parked cars than for parks. That choice is not an accident: many cities require new buildings to include a minimum number of parking spaces. These rules were designed to prevent congestion, but they now shape how much housing gets built and what it costs. Cities should replace parking minimums with market pricing because the rules raise housing costs, encourage driving and waste valuable land.

Expository

Every year, some of the world's coral reefs turn ghostly white. This process, called coral bleaching, has become more frequent in recent decades. Bleaching occurs when rising water temperatures, pollution and changes in light cause corals to expel the algae they depend on for food and colour.

Literary analysis

The novel opens with a storm and closes with a calm sea, but the real weather is in the narrator's mind. Across the book, the author uses changing weather to mirror the narrator's growing confidence. By tracing three key storms, this essay shows that the novel presents courage not as the absence of fear but as action taken despite it.

Compare and contrast

Online and classroom learning can teach the same syllabus, yet students often describe them as completely different experiences. The difference lies less in content than in who provides structure. Because online learning shifts responsibility for routine and focus to the student, it favours self-directed learners, while classrooms better support those who need immediate help.

Examples are illustrative and written for this guide; in a real essay, facts would be cited.

Fill-in introduction template

[Hook: a fact, scene or question related to your topic.] [Context sentence: background the reader needs.] [Context sentence: the debate, problem or key term.] [Thesis: your claim, with a preview of your main points.]

Or use the essay outline builder, which asks you guiding questions for the introduction and each body paragraph.

Write it first or last?

Many writers draft a rough introduction first to set direction, then rewrite it at the end once they know exactly what the essay argues. If you get stuck on the opening, write the body first. Your thesis often sharpens during drafting, so always check that the introduction matches the finished essay.

Mistakes to avoid

Dictionary definitions: "Webster's defines courage as..." is overused.
Sweeping openers: "Since the beginning of time, humans have..."
Announcing: "In this essay I will..." Show the plan through your thesis instead.
Too much background: the introduction is not a summary of your research.
A thesis that does not match the body.
Starting the argument with evidence that belongs in body paragraphs.

Introduction checklist

The first sentence is specific and relevant.
The context gives only what the reader needs.
Key terms are defined if necessary.
The thesis answers the prompt and is arguable.
The length is roughly 10 percent of the essay.

Next: learn how to finish strongly with our guide to writing an essay conclusion.

Related essay writing guides

Quick answers to common questions

Should I define key terms in the introduction?

Yes, if the reader needs them to understand your thesis, but use your own words or a subject-specific source rather than a general dictionary.

Can an introduction be more than one paragraph?

In long essays and research papers, yes. In most school essays, one paragraph is standard.

How do I introduce a literary analysis?

Name the author and text, give brief relevant context, and state your interpretive thesis.

Frequently asked questions

What are the three parts of an essay introduction?

A hook to grab attention, context or background, and the thesis statement.

How long should an essay introduction be?

Roughly 10 percent of the total word count, so about 150 words for a 1,500-word essay.

Where does the thesis go in an introduction?

Usually at the end of the introduction.

Should I write the introduction first?

You can draft it first, but revise it after finishing the essay so it matches your final argument.

Helpful tools for this task

Independent picks chosen for usefulness. Links open in a new tab.

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