ASK A QUESTION

By asking a question in your essay opening, you’re directly inviting the reader to interact with your
work. They don’t get to be a passive consumer; they’re now part of the conversation. This can be a
very engaging way to start an essay.

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.”

“How frequently do you shop at fast fashion retailers? These retailers include H&M, Zara, Uniqlo and
other brands that specialize in inexpensive clothing meant for short-term use.”

Asking a question is an effective choice for a persuasive essay because it asks the reader to insert
themselves into the topic or even pick a side. While it can also work in other kinds of essays, it really
shines in any essay that directly addresses the reader and puts them in a position to reflect on what
you’re asking.

DRAMATIZE A SCENE

Another effective way to write an essay introduction is to dramatize a scene related to your essay.
Generally, this approach is best used with creative essays, like personal statements and literary
essays. Here are a few examples of essay introductions that immerse readers in the action through
dramatized scenes:

“The rain pounded against the roof, loudly drowning out any conversations we attempted to have.
I’d promised them I’d play the latest song I wrote for guitar, but Mother Earth prevented any concert
from happening that night.”

“Imagine you’ve just gotten off an airplane. You’re hot, you’re tired, you’re uncomfortable, and
suddenly, you’re under arrest.”

Beyond creative essays, this kind of opening can work when you’re using emotional appeal to
underscore your position in a persuasive essay. It’s also a great tool for a dramatic essay, and could
be just the first of multiple dramatized scenes throughout the piece.
KICK IT OFF WITH A QUOTE

When you’re wondering how to write an essay introduction, remember that you can always borrow
wisdom from other writers. This is a powerful way to kick off any kind of essay. Take a look at these
examples:

“‘The past is never dead. It’s not even past.’ —William Faulkner. In his novel Requiem for a Nun, our
changing perspective of the past is a primary theme.”

“‘It always seems impossible until it’s done.’ —Nelson Mandela. Before I joined the military, boot
camp seemed impossible. But now, it’s done.”

Just as in choosing a fact or statistic to open your essay, any quote you choose needs to be relevant
to your essay’s topic. If your reader has to perform a web search for your quote to figure out how it
relates to the rest of your essay, it’s not relevant enough to use. Go with another quote that your
text can easily explain.