Introductions and Thesis Statements

The Role of Introductions

The introduction plays a key role in presenting a paper’s topic and in serving as the initial source of intrigue for the audience. An effective introduction simultaneously offers information about the subject and hooks the reader’s attention. The opening paragraph provides the opportunity to make a good first impression and to introduce the audience to your main point/argument, along with your quality and style of writing.

Thesis StatementTypes of IntroductionsIntroductions to Avoid

Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a sentence or two that typically falls at the end of the introductory paragraph and serves to inform the reader of the paper’s main points.

Good thesis statements should:

Tell the reader what to expect in the rest of your paper
Directly answer the question or prompt of the assignment
Avoid vague wording (be clear and concise)
Inform the reader of the significance of the paper’s main point
Make claims that can be supported and disputed by the evidence provided
Be placed near or at the end of the introduction paragraph
Not be more than two sentences
Reflect what is discussed in the body of the paper

Examples of thesis statements:

Weak: LGBTQ discrimination is a problem that needs to be solved.
Strong: LGBTQ discrimination in America is an issue that needs to be addressed through federal equality legislation.

The second thesis is stronger because it describes a specific solution to the issue and provides the reader with a preview of what will be addressed in the body paragraphs.

Weak: Autonomous cars are dangerous and should not be allowed on roads.
Strong: Autonomous cars are dangerous because of their unpredictability, poor decision-making, and inability to process key information, which is why they should not be allowed on roads.

The second thesis is the stronger one because it gives specific information about why autonomous cars are dangerous and lists several points that will be addressed in the body paragraphs.

Types of Introductions

Depending on the kind of paper, some introductory paragraphs may work better than others. Here are a few examples of the different types of introductions:

Summary

This is the most common type of introduction used in academic writing. It provides general information and an overview of the central idea of your paper.

Example:
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger introduces the reader to Holden Caulfield, who recounts his adventures over three days following his expulsion from prep school. Through Holden, Salinger accurately captures the struggle between the twin desires for independence and connection with family experienced by most teenagers.

Questions

This type of opening allows the writer to pose rhetorical questions to the audience. The questions asked should not have an obvious answer and should make the reader interested enough to keep reading.

Example:
Climate change is a rapidly growing concern. From rising ocean levels to increased temperature extremes, the environment is changing worldwide. Have you considered how these changes will impact your life in the coming years?

Background information

The inclusion of background information in the introduction provides context for the discussion that takes place in the essay.

Example:
Harper Lee was born in Monroeville, Alabama in the 1920s during a period of intense racial divide in the United States. Her father was a lawyer who also ran a newspaper, and her mother suffered from a mental illness, most likely what is known today as bipolar disorder. These early influences likely contributed to the characters and storyline in Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, To Kill a Mockingbird.

Definition

Dictionary definitions should be avoided; however, if the paper includes complicated vocabulary, including a definition in the introduction can be beneficial. Be sure to include citations when appropriate.

Example:
An internal combustion engine (ICE) is one in which the combustion of fuel occurs within a combustion chamber housed within the engine itself. The gases from the combustion expand to power the engine. This process can unfold in several different ways.

Quotation

Quotations should be included in the introduction only if they are relevant to the topic or the thesis.

Example:
Cher once said, “Face it; if it came in a bottle, everyone would have a good body.” Her words speak to the fact that achieving a goal requires effort.

Narrative or a surprising statement

Opening an essay with an engaging story or a shocking statement can be an effective method of capturing the reader’s attention and interest.

Example:
He was almost dead by the time I found him. He was lying on his side, crying piteously, and he could not stand up. His skin was ice cold, his horns were ice cold, and the weather was ice cold.

Statistics

The use of statistics in an introduction is typically reserved for technical or scientific writing. Make sure to provide citations when appropriate.

Example:
Veganuary is a yearly initiative that urges people to commit to a vegan diet for January. In 2021, more than 580,000 participated in the initiative, an increase of 45% from the previous year.

Introductions to Avoid

Announcements are statements that bluntly say what the paper or essay is about, and they compromise the formal tone of educated writing. Opening a paper with an announcement should be avoided.

Announcement examples:

“This paper will discuss…”
“I am going to write about…”
“The point of this essay is to…”

Other Intros to Avoid

Book report style: Listing information and facts that are not relevant to the thesis
Space filler: Vague statements that show lack of depth or understanding on the topic

Work Cited

“Thesis Statements.” The Writing Center at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2 Mar.
2021.