by Mady Schroeder Picture this: you’re sitting down at your computer, meticulously drafted outline in hand and ready to write that essay that’s due next week and...you have no idea how to start. Thinking up those first few sentences of your essay can often be the most daunting part of the writing process, and can feel like a hurdle to getting the rest of your paper written. This post will provide some tips and tricks for getting started on your essay, focusing on writing those first few sentences. Writer’s block, begone! The Hook: Every high school English teacher’s favorite part of an essay is the famous “hook”. The idea seems simple- start your essay off with an interesting, attention-grabbing sentence that gets your readers invested in your paper. Easier said than done. Here are some ideas for writing a strong “hook” for your introduction: 1. Share a shocking or interesting fact about your subject (this is a good move for a persuasive essay!) 2. Pose a question and immediately answer it to invite readers to think about your answer 3. Start with a few sentences describing the setting of your paper (good for narrative/ story-telling essays) 4. Begin with a funny anecdote, joke, or quote that reveals something significant about your paper. 5. Establish a contrast between reality and image, especially if your paper is arguing something 6. State your thesis outright, and then elaborate on it with a couple sentences 7. Wait until the end: You might find that once you’ve written the rest of your essay, the introduction is easier to write. Hold off on an intro until you’re done with the essay, then return to it and give it a go. What Makes a Good Introduction? Now that you’ve gotten some intro-writing inspiration, spend some time making sure that your introduction is effective in the context of your essay as a whole. As a reminder, an effective introduction will:
Still Stuck? Don’t worry, this is tough! If you’re still having a hard time coming up with an introduction, consider doing some brainstorming exercises to get your creative juices flowing. Some of these may include:
You’re ready to tackle that intro! And as always, feel free to make an appointment with a Writing Consultant if you want more support. References: https://www.thoughtco.com/how-to-begin-an-essay-1690495
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January 2024
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