How to write an introduction

The introduction is one of the shortest parts of the text, but it is essential. It is the introduction that draws the reader in and makes him or her want to continue reading. It is also the introduction that succinctly presents the content of the text. You must build it so that the reader is well prepared to read. Here are some tips on how to write an introduction.

1)     When you write an introduction: wait till the end

A good introduction should be a summary of your entire content. To write it with the subject in mind, it is best to have already covered it. It is therefore advisable to write the introduction at the end, when you draw up your conclusion. This is a logic adopted by a large number of authors and has proven its worth.

2)     Start simple

The ideal is to choose a simple, short and affirmative sentence. It can contain a fact, a figure, a quote, a statistic, etc. In short, information related to the topic of the article that immediately captures the reader’s attention. 

3)     Be brief

While a powerful introduction is comprehensive and impactful, it should be kept short. As a general rule, it should not exceed one fifth of the article. In just a few words, the introduction should present and situate the article, and provide details about the issue. It should provide key information that will make readers want to go further, but also not reveal too much so that they do not stop reading after the first few lines.

4)     When you write an introduction: state the problem

You should rephrase the topic, showing that you understand its implications, that you have grasped the underlying debate, and that you are going to address it as a whole. Write this step in about ten lines, and can be an opportunity to define the terms of the topic. Generally, you begin by linking what follows to the opening, and then rephrase the theme, either by paraphrasing it or by asking yourself questions that relate to it.

A well-written introduction lets your readers know what your text is about. That is why many authors write it at the very end of their process.