When writing an essay, an introduction 

paragraph is one which is used to

introduce the topic of the essay and will give the reader a clear idea of what the
author’s opinion on the topic is. A good introduction paragraph will entice the
reader and get them engaged in what is being written about. There are certain
steps that you need to follow in order to write your introductory paragraph and it
should be made up of three things: a hook, information on the essay topic and a
thesis statement.

 An introduction to the point of the essay

 A hook to engage the reader
 A thesis statement

How To Write An Introduction Paragraph

 Now that we fully understand what an introduction paragraph is used for,
we are ready to begin writing one of our own. As with all aspects of
an essay, it is very important that you take your time when writing your
introduction paragraph and ensure that you have researched and
understood the topic fully.

Write A Hook
A hook is a way of grabbing the attention of the reader and drawing them in,
making them want to read more. This sentence will set the tone for the entire
essay and so should be well thought out. It should not include long, wordy
sentences but should be clear and fun. That being said, it should be relevant to
the essay topic. You might consider using one of the following for your hook:

 A question
 An anecdote
 A statistic
 A quote

Background information
You are now ready to detail any information that the audience needs to know in
order to understand the argument you are about to present. The topic of your
essay will highly depend on what information you give but you might include one
or any of the following:

 Geographical, social or historical context

 A definition of an unusual phrase or term
 A brief summary of studies or research on the topic

It is important not to go into too much detail at this stage as this will be
done later on in the body of the essay. For now, you are simply introducing
your reader to the topic.

Thesis Statement
A thesis statement is used for three purposes: to inform the reader of your stance
on the topic, to detail what the essay is going to be about and to show the main
point of the essay. It should be made up of one or two sentences and be written
in a clear and concise manner.