essay opening statements example

The main goals of an introduction are to: Catch your reader’s attention. Give background on your topic. Present your thesis statement —the central point of your essay. This introduction example is taken from our interactive essay example on the history of Braille.

Learn how to write an essay introduction that captures readers' attention and sets the stage for your argument or discussion. Discover tips and techniques on how to create a hook, provide a thesis statement, and outline the main points of your essay, ensuring the right start for your essay writing.

Learn how to write an engaging essay introduction that hooks readers, provides background, and sets up your thesis statement. View examples to help get you started

Introductions generally follow the writing style of the author and the format for the type of paper—for example, opening with a joke is appropriate for some essays, but not research papers. However, no matter what your writing style is or what kind of paper you’re writing, a good introduction includes at least three parts:

These 36 opening sentences for an essay are just a few examples of how to do so. There is no “right way” to start, but it will become easier to find your voice and style as you continue writing and practicing.

Take a look at these examples of essay openings that use questions to hook readers: “How many times have you been late to class because you couldn’t find parking? You’re not alone—our campus is in desperate need of a new parking deck.”

Learn how to write engaging introductory paragraphs for an essay—from opening sentence to thesis and outline. Explore examples and tips to write perfect introduction paragraphs with this comprehensive guide.

Here are some tips and examples to help you create an effective opening line for your college essays: 1. Start with a vivid image or description: Paint a vivid picture in the reader's mind using sensory language and intriguing details. This will draw the reader into your world and make them want to read more.

Consider the following opening statement. Example hook. I’ve never been good at breathing. This opener is unexpected, even bizarre—what could this student be getting at? How can you be bad at breathing? The student goes on to describe her experience with asthma and how it has affected her life.

An essay hook is the opening statement of an essay, written to capture readers' attention and nudge them to learn more about the topic. Also known as a lede or lead, this hook introduces readers to the topic/theme of the essay and piques their curiosity to continue reading. The hook creates the entire narrative for your essay.