13 Compelling Introduction Paragraph Examples to Inspire Yours

Key Takeaways

Ready to go from reading our introductory paragraph examples to writing your own? Keep these five lessons in mind:

• Begin with an attention-grabbing hook: a question, an eye-catching statistic, or an interesting fact
• Consider addressing the reader directly and posing questions
• Employ storytelling techniques if possible
• Adapt your introduction to the academic discipline, paper type, and topic
• Provide the necessary context for your paper (e.g., define terms or explain why the topic matters)

The first paragraph of your paper holds a lot of power. Think of it as a way to introduce the topic, capture the reader's attention, and set expectations for your entire essay or paper.

The anatomy of an introductory paragraph boils down to the hook, background information, and the paper's thesis statement. Not sure what that means in practice? Our 13 examples of introduction paragraph writing will help you figure out how to craft yours!

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How to Put Together Great Introductory Paragraphs

How you should structure your introduction depends on the kind of paper you're writing. For example, some papers may require outlining the exact steps you'll take to defend your thesis statement.

That said, most introductory paragraphs follow this formula:

• Hook. This is the opening line meant to capture the reader's attention. It can be a thought-provoking question or an interesting fact, for example.
• Background information. Think of it as the context for your paper's topic. It's usually two to three sentences long.
• Thesis statement. This is the main idea, the focal point, or the central argument of your paper.

Introduction Paragraph Examples for 5 Essay Types

Now that we've covered the basic components of any introductory paragraph, let's dive into the good introduction paragraph examples for the most common types of essays.

Introduction Paragraph Examples for Argumentative Essay

Only five technology companies make up 30% of the S&P 500 value, and each of these companies has invested heavily in artificial intelligence tools. However, their high valuation is put into question as the S&P 500 is now trading at 23 times forward earnings. As a result, the repeat of another dot-com bubble, this time dubbed the "AI" bubble, is becoming a concern. If this AI bubble bursts, the world is likely to enter a new global recession.

Why it works: This is a great example of how you can incorporate transition words to start a new paragraph or keep it flowing. Note the use of "however" and "as a result". As far as introduction paragraph examples for essays go, this one also provides great context for the topic while moving from a broad statement to the thesis.

Persuasive Essay Introduction Paragraph Examples

An estimated half of new articles on the internet are now AI-generated. As AI models become more sophisticated, users may find it increasingly difficult to distinguish between AI-generated and authentically human writing, which could lead to faster-spreading, more effective disinformation. Combating it requires forward-looking investment in developing media literacy and critical thinking skills in students, from elementary school to post-secondary education.

Why it works: This introduction paragraph example starts with a surprising fact, effectively capturing the reader's attention. The introductory paragraph then briefly outlines the broader scope of the paper's central topic and moves from it to the main argument. Yes, on its own, each sentence addresses different aspects of the topic (AI content prevalence, new disinformation challenges, importance of education), but none of them look out of place.

Introduction Paragraph Examples for Expository Essay

What will happen to a country when the birth rate drops to below 2.1? We don't need to go far to find an example: South Korea's birth rate was a mere 0.72 in 2023, after five decades of declining from its peak in the 1960s. By 2060, based on the UN's low fertility scenario, the South Korean society will be drastically different in three regards: economic, societal, and cultural.

Why it works: This opening paragraph immediately engages the reader with a powerful first sentence. That sentence focalizes attention on the central point of the paper: the consequences of low birth rate. The passage then goes on to give background information on South Korea's birthrate crisis. This context is well-balanced: only critical information is mentioned, all in a condensed manner.

Introduction Paragraph Examples for Informative Essay

How do we know if we're the only form of intelligent life in the universe? With 6,022 confirmed exoplanets in 4,490 systems, it is only more baffling that we haven't observed any signs of it yet. This is known as the Fermi paradox, commonly presented as a question: "Where is everybody?" Multiple sociological, evolutionary, and economic hypothetical explanations have been brought forth to answer this question.

Why it works: Much like the previous paragraph example, this one begins with a compelling question that immediately helps the reader understand what the paper will be about. The rest of the introductory paragraph effectively lays the foundation for the main body paragraphs by defining the Fermi paradox first. That's a crucial piece of information to cover before diving into its possible explanations.

Examples of Introduction Paragraph for Narrative Essay

Have you ever had to convince a toddler to let go of a raccoon? No matter how much you try to plead with them, bribe them with candy, or rationalize why holding a raccoon is a bad idea, they'll just hold on tighter if something about that raccoon speaks to them. That's how I felt when I had to convince my parents to let me start a summer internship: no argument seemed to work.

Why it works: Narrative essays are completely different from most academic papers. This introduction illustrates this difference perfectly, both in its tone of voice and content. The opening paragraph paints a vivid picture. The absurdity of that picture is bound to make the reader chuckle or, at least, want to learn more.

5 Examples of an Introduction Paragraph by Type

Broadly speaking, introductions can fall into five categories, depending on how they try to grab the reader's attention. Here are introduction examples for each of them.

Description

The silence was deafening, but I wasn't alone in the room. In fact, I was standing on a stage, in front of a hundred people. Each of them must have come to listen to my TEDx talk for their own, unique reasons. But backlit by the lights, they all blended into a faceless crowd, shrouded in darkness, ready to judge every word coming out of my mouth.

Why it works: This is, perhaps, the best introduction paragraph example for a personal statement or any other type of essay that draws on personal experiences. The description itself engages sensory details well, from the "deafening silence" to the sight of the crowd "shrouded in darkness." The sensory details aren't presented in isolation, however; they tie in directly with the narrator's emotional experience.

Surprising Fact

Greenhouse gas release and damage to infrastructure aren't the only consequences of thawing permafrost we should be worried about. Permafrost is also home to ancient bacteria and viruses, and its melting may lead to outbreaks of deadly diseases. It's already happened: in 2016, anthrax infected several people and killed one in Siberia after a heatwave caused permafrost to thaw. That's why, with climate change accelerating permafrost thawing, the international community should be more prepared to handle such outbreaks.

Why it works: You might think that the surprising fact should be contained in the first sentence, but that's not necessarily the case. This whole introduction paragraph focuses on discussing a surprising fact, which serves both as context and extra evidence of why the paper's central topic is important.

Narrative/Story

If you're an Australian teenager, you may have woken up to a brave new world on December 10, 2025. In this new world, social media is out of your reach — at least, until you turn 16. The reason? Social media is addictive and harms mental health, and the government says it wants to protect you from these adverse effects. Would you agree with it? Or consider it government overreach?

Why it works: This introduction invites the reader to imagine themselves in the shoes of an Australian teenager who was affected by a social media ban for minors under 16. The approach is effective in commanding attention. Note how the author addresses the reader directly using the second person and asks questions that represent the main dilemma the text focuses on.

Problem/Question

Imagine you're shopping for a new t-shirt. Are you better off buying it online from a local textile company or at a physical fast fashion store? Should you prioritize cotton over polyester or make sure the people making it earn a fair wage? And how can you even know how the t-shirt was manufactured? These are just a few that highlight the paradox of ethical consumption: defining "ethical" is difficult, and a lack of transparent information turns decision-making into an hours-long research trip.

Why it works: Much like the previous introduction, this short introduction paragraph example invites you to imagine a scenario related to the topic. The use of questions is particularly effective at illustrating the challenges of acting on ethical consumption principles in practice.

Statistics

The United States is the data leaks champion. Between 2004 and 2025, almost 19 billion data points were compromised in the U.S. Russia, the runner-up, came in second with a mere 5.5 billion data points. This leaked data is then traded on the dark web and exploited for more sophisticated cyberattacks or fraud schemes. Therefore, mitigating the risk of data leaks requires a comprehensive overhaul of how companies obtain, store, and process the data, in line with the five best cybersecurity practices.

Why it works: If you're expected to focus on facts and statistics in your paper, it's only logical to open with a surprising figure, as well. In this example, the presented statistics successfully illustrate why the topic at hand matters.

Essay Introduction Examples for 3 Subjects

The way you start your essay also depends on the academic discipline you write it for. Here are three examples to illustrate the difference.

Social Studies

If you could pay only for one thing, would you pay your electricity bill to keep the heat on in the middle of winter or buy the medication that keeps your heart beating? That's the choice 36.8 million Americans living below the poverty line may face. There is no silver bullet to remove the need to make this choice: combating poverty is a massive undertaking that requires a holistic, multi-faceted approach.

Why it works: This is a great introductory paragraph for one major reason: it addresses the reader directly in the first line, with a question that highlights the reality of living in poverty. This question is an outstanding attention-grabber. Plus, it also proves that social studies papers don't have to start with a recital of statistics or definitions.

Technology

Self-driving cars are far more likely to recognize light-skinned pedestrians than dark-skinned ones, due to racial disparities in the training datasets. This is but one example of algorithmic bias that may negatively impact minorities as AI systems become more embedded in every domain, from recruitment to criminal justice and financial services. Avoiding algorithmic bias in AI systems must be done with a combination of diverse and representative datasets, bias detection and mitigation, and model interpretability.

Why it works: This introduction paragraph example for students opens with a surprising fact, but it's not there just for shock value. It serves as one example out of many on how algorithmic bias may impact lives. The opening paragraph states as much after the initial sentence, thus driving home the importance of addressing the problem.

Economics

Student debt totaled $1.77 trillion in 2024, increasing more than threefold since 2006 ($480.9 billion). The average debt surpasses $38,000 for a U.S. adult. The need to pay off this debt reduces consumers' discretionary income, becoming a barrier to homeownership and curbing demand in the larger economy. However, student loan forgiveness has been a point of contention. While both sides have compelling arguments, removing the debt burden will come with a substantial ROI.

Why it works: How long should a thesis be? It can be as short as ten words and as long as thirty. This example, however, shows how you can keep it relatively short without sacrificing its seriousness or clarity.

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