How Can I Start An Essay: A Comprehensive Step-By-Step Guideline

Writing an essay is generally a complicated task, and coming up with ideas on how to begin the essay may prove difficult at times. The first and most important paragraph is the introduction because it is the only chance to hook the reader to the piece. Considering the main goal of an introduction is to inform as well as engage the reader, the hardest thing to achieve is providing relevant background information that will not delay the excitement of getting into the topic the author wants to discuss.

An introduction paragraph provides the reader with the first grabber sentence, some background information, and a thesis statement. This paragraph can be considered a Guide to your essay, informing the reader about your main points and presenting the Methodology of your work in case of research. This article is to guide anyone on how to begin their essays and provide a set of strategies that can help an emerging writer create an introduction that ensures the reader’s interest is immediately and sustained throughout the paper.

Thus, knowing the main elements of an introduction is critical when beginning an essay. Here, we will outline the essential elements that make up a strong introduction paragraph:

1. Hook/Amusing Fact:

The first sentence should be interesting to give the reader the set of questions that will lead to reading the rest of the text. This could be a rhetorical or provocative question, a did you know type of fact, a quotation, or a funny story. It is in reference to the idea not to give out the full details of the event but rather to make the reader want to know more.

2. Background Information:

As usual, you should give some setting after the hook to help the reader become familiar with the topic. This could be statistics, the background of the topic, or a quotation that could help present the topic in the best way possible. The background information should flow into the key contention without creating the impression that they were derived from different sources.

3. Thesis Statement:

The thesis statement can be described as the main message or proposition that is developed in the given essay. It should be brief but accurate with the main intention with respect to what you want to achieve through the essay. The use of a thesis statement does not only helps the readers understand where the writing is heading, but it also aids in the author’s concentration while writing.

Step 1: Selecting a good hook:

A hook is a technique that is used in writing to capture the attention of the readers and make him/her develop an interest in the topic of discussion. It is a phrase that you use at the beginning of your introduction with the aim of hooking the reader and making him read your essay. It can be an anecdote, a question, an interesting fact and/or quote, or any other type of story.

Example:

When writing an essay on "The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health.”

Anecdote Example: A week ago from today, I decided to stop using social media for a week and I must say that I have never been this mentally free in a very long time. Not being on social media and, therefore, not being exposed to so many images that are filtered and processed to fit society’s standards made me able to appreciate the moments I was living. "

Question Example: Has it ever happened to you, that you opened your Facebook or Instagram and you started wandering through the strings of content, and when you finally realized, you felt even sadder and anxious? Make no misunderstanding, the power of social media is all about coming together in a digital sense but is it welcoming symptoms of loneliness and anxiety? "

Quote Example: Referring to its addictive characteristics and the principle of variable ratio reinforcement, Cal Newport stated that social media is ‘the slot machine in your pocket.’ "

Interesting Fact/Statistic Example: It is alarming that over 70 percent of active users of social networks admit that they suffer from what is known as Facebook envy, or the feeling of sorrow that arises from looking at friends’ carefully selected posts.

Step 2: Provide Essential Background Information

The next step after the hook is to have the readers understand the set context within which they should analyze the topic. This could include a definition, a very brief historical background, or some figures. Besides locating the issue in question it also formulates the basis for analyzing and evaluating the matter in question in the given essay.

Example

Popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok among others have revolutionized the way people communicate globally and in their daily interactions. Having 2 billion-plus users globally, these sites provide immediate access, communication, and associability on scales hitherto unseen.

Step 3: Introduce Key Terms or Concepts:

The procedure of explanation of one or another key term or concept is necessary if your topic for the essay includes terms or concepts that could be unfamiliar to the reader. To avoid confusion, defining these terms should be done before they are used, at the beginning of the essay to create understanding throughout. It assists in eliminating certain inconsequentialities that are probably taken for granted by technical professionals and enables all the readers no matter the background knowledge they have to follow up the discussion on the essay comprehensively.

Example

Among the important ideas in the context of social media and mental health is the idea of ‘social comparison,’ where people compare themselves to others to report on the latter’s lives, which results in individuals experiencing feelings of insignificance.

Step 4: State Your Thesis Clearly

Technically, the thesis statement can be understood as the primary assertion or the main claim of the specific piece of writing. Introducing the topic should be brief, and precise and should help the reader to know what to expect from your essay. Here, you sketch out a general vision of what the rest of the text will cover, and it helps the writer and the reader to have that general direction in front of them before moving to the elaboration of ideas.

When devising a thesis for “The Effects of Social Media on Mental Health,” a crafted and uncluttered statement provides the reader with not only clear specifications of social media’s effect on psychological well-being, with highlighted focuses on anxiety, depression, and social comparison, but also the expectations of the breadth of the discussion. The above overview of the strategy guarantees that each following paragraph and the argument made with it has a direct correlation to the thesis statement to create coherence and relevance in the essay.

Example:

Here’s an example of a thesis statement for the topic: "The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health":

"It is by now common knowledge that social media apps such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have been associated with increased rates of anxiety, depression, and social comparison among the users, raising considerable concerns about the platforms’ mental health effects This essay draws focus on these negative effects and looks at how constant engagement with actively curated social media content and the validation-seeking behavior inherent in using the apps under consideration, contribute to these negative psychological outcomes.”

Step 5: Outline the Structure of Your Essay

It is relevant to give a short guide concerning the plan of your essay, the points, which will become the focuses of your writing. It acts as a guide for your readers, pointing out the direction you are likely to take throughout the paper or thesis depending on the type of writing.

Example with Essay Title:

Thus, in order to address the question regarding the advantages and disadvantages of socially oriented social media, it is necessary to observe the occurrence and factors of anxiety and depression as well as decode the psychological functions of social comparison This essay will also suggest solutions to the enumerated problems.

Step:6 Review your introduction

Once you are done with the selection of your introduction using the guidelines indicated above, it is vital to revise it. Reviewing enables you to ascertain if the introduction fulfills the intended goals of capturing the reader’s attention, offering essential background information, and creating the prerequisite for your thesis statement. Here are key aspects to consider during the review process: Here are key aspects to consider during the review process:

Engagement:

Determine the extent to which your identified hook seems to engage the reader and make him/her have a question about what is going to be covered.

Clarity:

Revise for clarity in the background information and the definition/guide to identifying key terms. Do not assume that the readers know what is going on surrounded by the essay’s theme and any terms that you may have used.

Thesis Statement:

Determine if your pledged statement directly opposes the thesis statement and if it is concrete and concise. It should help the reader to have expectations of what he or she is about to read focusing on the general area of the essay and the arguments.

Coherence:

Ensure that the introduction of the article is coherent and settled from the hook to the thesis statement. Make sure that there is reason and sequence that primers the reader on the content of the essay that follows in the main part.

Relevance:

Make sure that every component of your introduction serves a specific purpose in your writing assignment. In your own words and where possible, omit information that can be considered unnecessary or can unnecessarily prolong the introduction.

• Hook
• Background information
• Introduction of Key Issues (Concerns)
• Thesis statement

Social networks are an inseparable part of today’s society and culture, which can significantly influence the process of human interpersonal communication and identity construction. This ranges from people browsing through the news feeds of Facebook and exploring Instagram to the highly popular trends of TikTok and the minute-to-minute trends on Twitter, such platforms have become virtual surfaces of identification where billions of people interact every day.

They have transformed the process of communication by allowing people to connect with their friends and families at the blink of an eye by sharing one’s own experiences and by giving voice to so many around the world. Of them, some have changed social perspectives and standards, affected culture and media, and even reformed the concept of relationships.

However, along with such progress, the questions about its effects on people’s mental condition have grown significantly. Scholars continuously associate the excessive use of social media platforms with higher stress, depression, and self-compassion in consumers. It is also imperative to argue that scalability, the analyzed contents’ selection, the stream’s emphasis on presenting the best self, and the constant stream of watching other people’s highlight reels significantly contribute to these negative psychological effects.

This essay examines the connection between the use of social media and psychological health, exploring the role of social media in increasing anxiety, depression, and social rivalry among users. With the focus on the state of affairs in global research, as well as major psychological theories, it seeks to enhance the knowledge of these processes and offer potential solutions for improving one’s digital presence and strengthening one’s mental well-being in the context of the modern world, which is largely built on the principles of connection.

• Hook
• Background information
• Introduction of Key Issues (Concerns)
• Thesis statement

To what extent does society need protection in light of progressing artificial intelligence (AI), which alters numerous fields and contributes to decision-making? Machine intelligence, a kind of intelligence where machines can do things that humans can do is rapidly transforming at the moment. Starting from self-driving cars to predicting health issues and recommending solutions, AI gives a plethora of opportunities to digitize and optimize processes.

Still, the progressive AI technologies’ inclusion in significant industries raises key moral and legal questions. Some of them are; the use of algorithms that are biased, infringement on the privacy of data, and strengths of the effects of the extensiveness of use of automated systems to jobs.

This essay argues that while AI presents significant benefits, effective government regulation is essential to mitigate risks, ensure accountability, and safeguard societal well-being in the face of technological advancement.

• Hook
• Background information
• Introduction of Key Issues (Concerns)
• Thesis statement

The cold of morning enveloped me as I closely stood beside the steep hiking trail, with my hiking boots slightly sinking into the ground. It was not another walk in the park; it was indeed a fight in the wilderness, literally and metaphorically. The majestic trees narrated tales of the perseverance of a race, that has lived for many centuries and a someday heard an eagle calling out in freedom.

I adjusted my backpack and began the first move, the memories of the previous activities flooded my Bristol mind. Every one of them was an echoing of the challenges I had met in my life, the twists and turns, the climbs and rises, the nausea of the moment of questioning. Nevertheless, every time I got a foothold I felt as if I had been re-energized to finish what I had set out to do.

In this essay, I share emotional processes arisen during the challenging hike in the Cascade Mountains; where every turn of the track awoke me at the possibilities of overcoming, and the permanent presence of beauty in the world.

Here are engaging strategies for writing an introduction essay, with examples where applicable:

1. Choose Your Tone Wisely:

Primarily, readers get the feel of your essay from the first impression, hence the tone of the introductory part. On the same note, you should reflect on whether the informal academic style or the conversational writing tone will do to appeal to the audience and on the content of the information. For example, in an essay about the benefits of mindfulness, a calming and reflective tone can draw readers into the topic: ”Today, when we are busy and overwhelmed by work, it is more than just nice to take a break and get back to the present moment. ”

2. Use an Anecdote or Personal Story

Stories can help the subject you are writing about become more familiar or even personal to the readers. For instance, in an essay about overcoming challenges, you might start with a personal anecdote about a moment of triumph: “On the top of the mountain standing, I came to the conclusion that climbing this mountain was not the body challenge but the mind one because it is the proof that no matter how hard it might take, nobody can stop you if you do not stop yourself.

3. Pose a Provocative Question

Forcing the reader to think can be useful because after reading your essay, the reader may be intrigued about something that can make them think deeper about what you are discussing. For example, in an essay exploring the ethics of genetic engineering, you could start with: “The genetic code is the blueprint of life, and what if there was a way, or a procedure to alter this code—should it be done?”

4. Start with an Impactful Quote or Statistic

Sometimes, a good quote or a shocking number can attract the audience’s attention and draw attention to your topic. For instance, in an essay on climate change, you might begin with a stark statistic: This rise in the average temperature of the Earth’s surface, identified by NASA as having occurred since the end of the nineteenth century, stands at 1. 18 degrees Celsius

5. Employ a Delayed Thesis Strategy

It can also be used when one wants to present a thesis without presenting it at face value but rather developing it gradually, mentioning about the general aspect of the topic or background information. This approach may cultivate even excitement. For example, in an essay about the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs, you could start by discussing historical technological advancements before revealing your thesis: Starting with the Industrial Revolution, advancing technology has constantly continued to transform the face of the earth in the present times where the advancement in artificial intelligence threatens the conventional method of acquiring employment.

6. Ensure Clarity and Coherence

Check your introduction in terms of the clarity of your ideas, and to make sure that your arguments are well connected. Every strategy that you use should flow directly into the next stage of the introduction and move the reader toward the thesis.