How long can an introductory paragraph be

The length depends on the size of the essay. For a 1,word essay, a balanced length for the introduction and conclusion would be about 4 to 5 sentences each paragraph.

For longer essays, each may be a few paragraphs, or even a few pages. The best appropriate volume for your college essay introduction is about five sentences. It is enough to begin and make the general first impression. Relevant background information that the reader needs to know. A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument. Summary of Your Topic, Ideas, or Argument Your opening paragraph should introduce the subject matter and the points you intend to make. The introductory paragraph, or opening paragraph, is the first paragraph of your essay.

It introduces the main idea of your essay, captures the interest of your readers, and tells why your topic is important. It begins with the broadest topic sentence 1. Then, it narrows to the thesis statement or the part of the topic that will be specifically addressed in the essay sentence 2. The last sentence of the paragraph usually outlines the main points that will be covered in the essay sentence 3.

Thesis Statement — Gives the Purpose of the essay This is the most important part of your introduction paragraph. It is a clear statement, normally a complete sentence, providing the overall point you are going to make within the body paragraphs of your paper. The thesis statement states the argument of your paper.

At the end of your introductory paragraph, state your thesis as clearly and specifically as possible. Fortunately, introductions have a recognisable pattern recipe you can follow so that you do this correctly. The introduction to an essay is very important. In clearly-written sentences, the writer gives some background on the main topic; explains the academic problem and tells the reader what to expect in the rest of the essay.

You can follow a basic pattern recipe for writing introduction paragraphs to help you get started. Try to write your introduction straight from your question analysis, then review it many times while you are writing the body of the essay—this will help you to keep your essay on target i. Note that most introductions generally only include references if definitions are taken from an information source. The introduction to an essay is rather like a formal social introduction: How do you do!

For example, if an ASO consultant comes to a lecture to do a guest presentation, it would be good practice to be introduced in a meaningful way:. This is Mary Bloggs who is a consultant from the Academic Skills office relevant info about the person for the job about to be done. Good question analysis is critical to the success of your assignment essay, so it is important that you learn a process for analysing a question statement of purpose. Mary will work with you on analysis of the question you will be answering in your assignment and will show you how to develop an essay plan from your question a statement about what will be happening in the next hour.

An introductory paragraph is very much tied to the question that has been set see Question analysis workshop , and we use special terms to describe each stage of the introduction. Click or hover over the introductory paragraph below to see an analysis of its structure, and how the introduction matches the set question.

Try to take your audience by surprise. This will be an outstanding beginning. You should remember for good that the information you wish to use in your introduction must be officially approved. One cannot select the opinions of people who have no proofs for their theories. Be selective. Draw attention to a specific problem. Ask a provoking question to go to the main claim. After you ignite a desire to read, you should make the foundations firmer.

The defining factor for the successful writing of the introduction is a thesis statement. This is a brief argument that reveals the main purpose of your project. Your thesis should be used to communicate directly with your readers. This final hook will make them fully absorbed with your research. Do not forget to describe how you are going to prove it. To craft an impressive thesis, a researcher should create a good context.