You have thought about the topic of your essay and it’s time to start, but something is holding you back: how do you write the introduction of a paper?
The beginning or introduction of any text is essential to create the “hook” of the reader and get him to be motivated to read the entire content. Most students look for services where they can ask to write my essay since they are giving up on the introduction writing stage. Do you know what is the best way to stimulate the attention of those who access the text and encourage their curiosity and desire to learn more?
Discover below the importance of these first paragraphs in an essay and take note of different strategies to write the introduction of a paper effectively, and anticipate the rest of your academic paper generating intrigue and interest.
What is the structure of an academic paper?
The introduction of a paper is just another part of the structure of an academic text. Although there are different ways of presenting the content, it is advisable to seek order and ensure that certain essential basics are met, such as the following:
- Title page. It offers the reader basic information. It should include at least the name of the author of the essay, the name of the subject, the professor, and the university. The title of the paper and the date of submission should be clearly visible.
- Abstract. When turning that first page, it is convenient to offer the person accessing the content a small synthesis of what he/she will find in the work. Briefly, in a few lines, the objective of the study, the theses defended, the methodology applied in the research phase, and the conclusions drawn can be explained.
- Table of contents. This is a fundamental part of the structure of an academic essay, providing the reader with perspective and facilitating quick access to any section. Concerning the table of contents, it is important to remember that it is important to ensure that the name of each section clearly illustrates the content that can be found there, to avoid misunderstandings or confusion.
- Abbreviations. In many essays, they are used to speed up the writing and subsequent reading, therefore, it is advisable to include a glossary from the beginning to understand what each one means. Know that you can always turn to professional essay writers if you’re not sure how to format your paper correctly.
- Introduction. This is the part of the structure of the essay where the explanation of the topic to be discussed begins. It is common to review the objectives and reflect on the reason for the work. It is usually completed with a summary of the documents consulted.
- Body. The bulk of the essay is a record of the theories, analysis, demonstrations, and examples. It is organized in chapters, duly titled and numbered.
- Conclusion. At this point, the explanations offered throughout the essay point to a denouement, which is precisely narrated, to answer the questions that motivated the elaboration of the study.
- Appendix. This section includes tables, plans, images, and any supporting material to document the explanations offered throughout the body of the essay.
- Bibliography. All the materials consulted for the realization of the work should be cited here, leaving a written record. It is usually necessary to list them in chronological or alphabetical order.
How to include citations in the university paper
There are different ways in which you can include citations in your essays. It is important to know all of them, as different professors, papers, or universities may require one or the other.
Knowing how to cite also helps you prevent plagiarism problems and avoid mistakes that could damage your academic image or spoil the fruits of the weeks or months of effort it has taken you to complete your essay.
When recording reference materials, it is important that you pay attention to detail and do not forget to include such necessary information as the source of origin or the author. Citations will appear at the end of the essay, in the Bibliography section; but also throughout the content, from the introduction of a paper to the conclusion.
The importance of the introduction of an academic essay
Before you buy an argumentative essay, analytical or narrative, you should try to write it yourself at least once. Despite being only one of the nine parts that make up the structure of an essay, the introduction of a paper is of great importance. It is necessary to pay great attention when writing it as it serves a variety of purposes:
- Contextualize the reader. The first thing to keep in mind is that the introduction should play the role of immersing the reader in the context in which you are going to focus the rest of the essay. In this way, it will be easier for him/her to know what he/she is going to find next. It is a way to prepare him so that he can start from a solid and clear base and then go into the body with all the tools he needs.
- It is the first impression. You have to spend considerable time writing it because it will be the first impression that readers will have of you, your way of writing, and your way of thinking. Include what the main topic is, why it is important to discuss it. Make sure that the introduction to a paper never lacks your hypothesis and your main arguments, but try to make it concise, brief, creative, and analytical at the same time. The important thing is to come back to it once you finish the paper to check that it is still true to what you wrote. You can also write it once you finish the essay because it will be then when you will have a clearer idea about the arguments you used and the best way to summarize them.
- It serves to focus. The introduction of a paper takes the reader from the general to the particular. If your essay is about an author who was essential to Education, for example, you can begin by talking about Education and how it has evolved to the present day in broad strokes, and then mention the author and his or her role. The important thing is that, although you can opt for a general first sentence, it should contextualize, but it does not have to be too far away from the main topic.
- Act as a “hook”. You can start with an example, an interesting text quote, an unexpected anecdote, or a trigger question. This is a way to keep the reader interested from the first sentence, intriguing them and forcing them to think about how you begin. They will ask themselves, “Why did you choose this quote, what do you mean by it, will you agree with the rest of the text,” and they will read on to answer themselves.
In addition to achieving these four purposes, the introduction to a paper is a statement of intent, helping you to demonstrate security and confidence in what you say. The best way for a reader to respect your words and want to know your opinion on a subject is to convey security and confidence in your writing. Be direct, speak with propriety, and take care to reflect that you have no doubts.