An essay introduction has 3 main objectives:
- Context – the background of the topic, the topic scope and any essential definitions.
- Answer or focus – your response to the question or the overall focus of the essay (the thesis statement)
- Structure – how the discussion will be organised.
You may put more or less emphasis on each of these objectives, depending on the length and type of essay. In a very short essay (less than 1000 words), for example, there is not much room to give a full and detailed context or structure in the introduction. The introduction for a longer essay has room for more detail.
The introduction usually makes up approximately 5% of the total essay. If you are asked to write a 3000-word essay, the introduction should be about 150 words.
Context
Begin with some context. Introductions often begin with a broad opening statement that establishes the subject matter and background.
- Don't make it too broad. For example, don’t start with 'Since time began…'
- Do identify the relevant topic and sub-topic. For example: human resource management, early childhood development, animal behaviour.
To establish the scope, answer basic questions:
- Who? What? When? Where? How? Why?
- Is the essay limited to a particular time period, a particular group of people or a particular country?
Definitions are often established after the introduction, so only include them here if they are absolutely essential – for example, an acronym you will use throughout the essay.
Answer or focus
The most important part of the introduction is the response to the question: the thesis statement.
The introduction often begins with a broad statement and gradually narrows until it directly addresses the question in the thesis statement at the end.
This order is not set in stone. Sometimes the thesis statement is followed by a breakdown of the essay's structure and organisation. Ultimately, you must adapt the order to suit the needs of each particular essay.
Structure
A strong introduction tells the reader how the upcoming body paragraphs will be organised.
This can be as easy as outlining the major points that your essay will make on the way to the conclusion. You don't need to go into much detail in the introduction – just signal the major landmarks.
It can help to identify how your paragraphs are organised within the main body of the essay, for example:
- Chronological – dealing with the issue from earliest to most recent
- Thematic – grouped by broader themes
- Sequential – the essay answers several related questions one after the other
- Contrasting – paragraphs describe 2 elements and compare them.
The essay will be more readable once the reader knows what to expect from the body paragraphs.
Essay introduction guidelines
For a thorough introduction, ask yourself: 'Who? What? When? Where? How? Why?'
Think about the literature on the topic.
How is your contribution related to what other authors or researchers have already written? Why is the topic important?
Your introduction should start broadly and narrow your ideas down to the focus or thesis statement.
Begin your introduction with a broad opening statement that establishes the context of your essay.
After that, your opening sentences should gradually focus the reader on the topic. By the end of the introduction, you should have narrowed the focus down to the main idea of the essay – the thesis statement.
Your introduction should tell the reader what is going to come up in the essay.
View our example essays for model introductions, body paragraphs & conclusions.
Related content
Thesis statement
Find out how to outline an argument, contention, or thesis that answers the question in your thesis statement.
Body paragraphs
Learn how to write body paragraphs and discuss each major point in your essay, using the Point Illustration Explanation (PIE) method.
Conclusion
Find out how to summarise the most important, relevant, and useful main points from your body paragraphs in your essay's conclusion.