How to write an opening paragraph for an essay

How to write an opening paragraph for an essay

Do the check. Starting Your Research Paper: Home Time for the dreaded paper? The introduction should make sense and hook the reader right from the start. The Truth NO ONE likes research papers. Toggle navigation Research Guides LibGuides. Typically, just three or four sentences are enough to set the stage for both long and short essays. Do hip hop artists wear less "bling" in a recession?

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NO ONE likes research papers. However, research papers are an essential part of academia. So instead of griping and whining about it, try to make the best of it. You don't want to do a research paper. Your professor doesn't want to read it or grade it. So, do you both a favor and make it interesting! Think about the things that interest you. Now, think about your paper. Can you find a way to incorporate the two? If you come up with an idea for a paper, run it by your professor. Chances are, how to write an opening paragraph for an essay, your professor is tired of reading the same paper over and over again and may be open how to write an opening paragraph for an essay your idea. You will be surprised by how many fun and interesting topics there are with just a little imagination.

Let's pretend I have to write a paper for an economics class. I am horrible at economics and business, so I don't enjoy the subjects. However, I love music. Can I combine music and economics? Of course! There are many ways to incorporate music into an economics paper :. Scholarly research is WAY more interesting than most people give credit to. Below are some of my favorite off-the-wall articles:. The Bogeyman of Your Nightmares: Freddy Krueger's Folkloric Roots. Head and Neck Injury Risks in Heavy Metal: Head Bangers Stuck between Rock and a Hard Bass. Librarians and Party Girls: Cultural Studies and the Meaning of the Librarian.

Recovering from "Yo Mama Is so Stupid": En gendering a Critical Paradigm on Black Feminist Theory and Pedagogy. It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, how to write an opening paragraph for an essay, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results. Arkansas State University. Toggle navigation Research Guides LibGuides. Library Home OneSearch Email a Librarian Article Databases A to Z. Dean B. Ellis Library LibGuides Research Guides Starting Your Research Paper Home Search this Guide Search. Starting Your Research Paper: Home Time for the dreaded paper?

Learn how to get started! Home Choosing Your Topic Define Keywords Planning Your Paper Writing an Introductory Paragraph. The Truth NO ONE likes research papers. Not you, not your professor. Make It Interesting! Example Let's pretend I have to write a paper for an economics class. There are many ways to incorporate music into an economics paper : Study the financial effects of illegally downloading music. How much do the record companies really lose? Do people who download music buy more music? Study the effectiveness of alternative ways of selling music, including streaming and free downloads.

How are the artists making money? MC Frontalot and MC Lars - Captains of Industry : "Look at us, we're in the t-shirt business. I thought that we were musicians - what is this? Better pray that they want to come see your show. That right there gonna be your how to write an opening paragraph for an essay. Do hip hop artists wear less "bling" in a recession? Do rap lyrics change with the economy? For me, this scholarly article is exciting and doesn't feel like work to read. If you don't like rap, you might hate it - and that's ok!

Find something that fits your interests! Subject Guide. April Sheppard. Email Me. Social: Facebook Page LinkedIn Page Twitter Page. Real Articles Scholarly research is WAY more interesting than most people give credit to. Report a problem. Ellis Library University Loop Jonesboro, AR Arkansas State University library astate. Staff Login - LibApps.

the use of force essay

Start where it's easiest to start. You can always go back to the beginning or rearrange later, especially if you have an outline completed or general framework informally mapped out. If you don't have an outline, even just starting to sketch one can help organize your thoughts and "prime the pump" as it were. You can read all the advice you want about writing a compelling opening, but it's often easier to learn by example. Take a look at how some writers approached their essays and analyze why they work so well. What did Zeigler do in her introduction?

First, she wrote in a little joke, but it serves a dual purpose. Not only does it set the stage for her slightly more humorous approach to crabbing, but it also clarifies what type of "crabber" she's writing about. This is important if your subject has more than one meaning. The other thing that makes this a successful introduction is the fact that Zeigler leaves us wondering. What do we have to be prepared for? Will the crabs jump up and latch onto you? Is it a messy job? What tools and gear do I need? She leaves us with questions, and that draws us in because now we want answers. This revised classification essay begins by painting a picture of an ordinary scenario: the grocery store. But when used as an opportunity to observe human nature, as this writer does, it turns from ordinary to fascinating.

Who is the amnesiac? Would I be classified as the dawdler by this cashier? The descriptive language and the analogy to rats in a maze add to the intrigue, and readers are left wanting more. For this reason, even though it's lengthy, this is an effective opening. Here is an example of reversing expectations. The introductory paragraph is filled with doom and gloom. We feel sorry for the writer but are left wondering whether the article will be a classic sob story. It is in the second paragraph where we find out that it's quite the opposite. Those first few words of the second paragraph—which we cannot help but skim—surprise us and thus draw us in. How can the narrator be happy after all that sorrow?

This reversal compels us to find out what happened. Most people have had streaks where nothing seems to go right. Yet, it is the possibility of a turn of fortunes that compels us to keep going. This writer appealed to our emotions and a sense of shared experience to craft an effective read. Share Flipboard Email. An Introduction to Essay Writing. Introduction Choosing a Topic. Writing an Introduction. How to Begin an Essay Writing a Great First Paragraph Strong Thesis Statements Attention-Grabbing Opening Sentences Check Your Knowledge: How to Support a Topic Sentence. Structuring and Outlining. How to Write a 5-Paragraph Essay Create an Outline Using a Venn Diagram Use Text Boxes to Outline and Organize Check Your Knowledge: Create a Simple Outline.

Types of Essays. How to Write a Narrative Essay How to Write an Argumentative Essay How to Write an Expository Essay How to Write a Personal Narrative How to Write an Opinion Essay How to Write a Profile. Editing and Improving. Making Paragraphs Flow With Smooth Transitions Replace These Overused, Tired Words An Essay Revision Checklist. Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:. The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay. To write a good hook, avoid overly broad statements or long, dense sentences. A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay. Everything else you write should relate to this key idea. The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:.

Without a clear thesis, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say. The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas. The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas. Have a language expert improve your writing. Check your paper for plagiarism in 10 minutes. Do the check. Generate your APA citations for free! APA Citation Generator. Give background on your topic. Present your thesis —the central point of your essay.

Essay introduction example The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability. What is your plagiarism score? Compare your paper with over 60 billion web pages and 30 million publications. My first sentence is engaging and relevant. I have introduced the topic with necessary background information. I have defined any important terms. My thesis statement clearly presents my main point or argument. Everything in the introduction is relevant to the main body of the essay. Well done! Learn more about writing essay paragraphs. Argumentative Expository Literary analysis This introduction to an argumentative essay sets up the debate about the internet and education, and then clearly states the position the essay will argue for.

Argumentative essay introduction The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. Expository essay introduction In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. What goes in an essay introduction? Relevant background information that the reader needs to know. A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument. What is a hook? What is a thesis statement? Why do I need a thesis statement? The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons: It gives your writing direction and focus.

It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point. What is the structure of an essay? Is this article helpful? Shona McCombes Shona has a bachelor's and two master's degrees, so she's an expert at writing a great thesis. She has also worked as an editor and teacher, working with students at all different levels to improve their academic writing. Other students also liked. It usually comes at the end of the introduction.