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Introduction Paragraphs

An Overview

The introduction is the first and often the shortest paragraph. Most of the introduction is set-up for the thesis. Give the reader just enough to know what the essay is about. Do not give evidence or analysis.

Introductions are divided into three parts: the hook, the bridge, and the thesis.

Hook

The first line of your essay has one purpose: catch the reader’s attention. There are a lot of ways you can do this. You can make a statement, ask a question, or even tell a personal story if it’s a personal essay. Whatever you do, don’t get stuck on the hook. It doesn’t need to be spectacular. In fact, you may even want to wait to write your hook until the rest of the essay is done.

Bridge

The bridge is the middle section of your intro paragraph and often the longest. It’s called the bridge because its main purpose is to connect the hook to the thesis. This is not its only purpose, though. The bridge is also where you introduce the texts you’re going to analyze or the topics you researched, depending on what kind of essay it is.

If you’re not sure how to write a bridge, try this strategy:

  1. Explain your hook a little.
  2. Introduce the texts or topics.
  3. Set up the thesis.

Thesis

The thesis is your answer to the prompt. Most thesis statements need two things: a core idea and an argument. The core idea is what your essay is about and it’s usually supplied by the prompt.

The argument is what you’re saying about the core idea. It needs to be something you can back up with evidence, but that a reasonable person could disagree with you on. Not every essay needs an argument, but most do; your teacher will tell you if it doesn’t.

As important as your thesis is, you don’t want to get stuck on it. It’s okay to write a flawed or incomplete thesis and adjust it as you go.

 

 

This handout is courtesy of WRAC Center Tutors Merricat & Nayla SP23