How to Write an Introduction to an Argumentative Essay

Summary

This tutorial explains how to write effective introductions for argumentative essays. It highlights the key functions of an introduction: presenting the general subject, providing necessary background, clearly stating the main thesis, and outlining the essay’s structure. Common pitfalls, such as including main body arguments too early, are addressed. Using a student essay on the ethics of fighting in hockey as an example, the video demonstrates what a strong introduction does well and where improvements can be made, emphasizing clarity, proper scope, and setting reader expectations. The focus is on ensuring the introduction prepares readers for the essay without prematurely presenting arguments.

Takeaways

• 📝 An introduction in an argumentative essay serves multiple functions, primarily to make the reader's experience easier and clearer.
• 🎯 The first function of an introduction is to state the general subject matter and the issue the essay will discuss.
• 📚 Providing background information is important if the issue is not widely known; the amount depends on the audience and topic.
• 💡 The main thesis of the essay must be stated clearly in the introduction to avoid confusion about the argument's stance.
• 🗺️ For complex essays, an introduction can include a roadmap or outline showing how the argument will be structured.
• ⚠️ One common mistake is including detailed arguments or evidence in the introduction, which should be reserved for the main body.
• 📏 An introductory section can consist of more than one paragraph, especially for longer essays, to properly set up the thesis and context.
• ✅ A good introduction clearly identifies the issue, states a thesis, and provides an expectation of the essay’s structure.
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• 🔍 Clarity is crucial: the introduction should specify the scope of the issue, such as the context, level, or type of situation discussed.
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• ✂️ Avoid giving arguments for the main conclusion in the introduction; that belongs in the essay’s main body to prevent reader confusion.
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• 🧠 Evaluating introductions should focus on their functional effectiveness first, rather than stylistic or sentence-level issues.
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• 🔄 The example in the video illustrates how to critique an introduction by checking issue clarity, thesis statement, and argumentative roadmap.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of an introduction in an argumentative essay?

The primary purpose of an introduction is to make life easier for readers by telling them the general subject matter, providing necessary background information, stating the main thesis clearly, and optionally outlining the structure of the essay.

What are the key functions an introduction should serve?

An introduction should: 1) introduce the general topic or issue, 2) provide relevant background information if needed, 3) clearly state the main thesis or argument, and 4) give the reader an idea of how the essay will be structured, especially for longer or more complex essays.

Why is providing background information important in an introduction?

Background information helps readers understand the context of the issue being discussed. The amount and type of background depend on how familiar the intended audience is with the topic.

How should the main thesis be presented in the introduction?

The main thesis should be stated as clearly and unambiguously as possible so that the reader understands the overall argument of the essay before entering the main body.

What is the role of a 'road map' or outline in an introduction?

A roadmap provides readers with a preview of how the argument will unfold, including what issues will be addressed and in what order. It is especially useful for longer or more complex essays to guide reader expectations.

What common mistake do students make in introductions?

A common mistake is including arguments, premises, or objections that belong in the main body of the essay, rather than focusing on introducing the topic, providing context, and stating the thesis.

Is it necessary for an introduction to be a single paragraph?

Not necessarily. While short essays might allow a one-paragraph introduction, more often the introductory section may span multiple paragraphs to adequately introduce the issue, state the thesis, and outline the essay.

In the provided example about hockey, what issue does the essay address?

The essay addresses the ethics of fighting in hockey, specifically considering whether it should be allowed and what impact it has on players and children.

What was highlighted as a strength of the hockey essay introduction?

The introduction clearly identified the issue, presented a clear thesis stating that fighting should be allowed, and provided an idea of the argumentative structure by outlining the objection and reply.

What improvements were suggested for the hockey essay introduction?

It was suggested to clarify precisely what aspect of fighting in hockey is being discussed (e.g., professional vs. amateur levels), and to move any argumentative content from the introduction to the main body to avoid confusing the reader.

Why should argumentative content be reserved for the main body rather than the introduction?

Including arguments in the introduction can confuse the reader by presenting conclusions before fully explaining the issue. The introduction should focus on context and thesis, leaving detailed argumentation for the main body.

How can an effective introduction affect the reader's experience?

An effective introduction sets clear expectations, helps the reader understand the issue, prepares them for the argument, and provides a roadmap for navigating the essay, making the essay easier to follow and more persuasive.