Introductions
The introduction of a persuasive essay should catch the reader's attention, and then lead to the writer's position on the topic (for it or against it). Your overall position is the thesis. This usually comes at the end of the introduction paragraph.
How to do it
Broad Opening, Attention-Getting Statement: Strong Introductions will usually start with a broad opening statement that is relatively neutral and engages the reader’s interest. A good example of a broad opening statement would be “Everybody has the right to be happy.” After the opening statement, the writing moves towards the topic of the paper.
Background Information: After the writer has captured the reader’s attention, they can provide some background information about the topic. The background information in the introduction should be limited to the “big picture”; specifics will occur in the body paragraphs and are not necessary in the introduction.
Thesis Statement: The thesis statement usually occurs near or at the end of the introduction and serves to state the writer’s position and/or make a claim about the topic.
Introduction DON'TS
DO NOT introduce yourself as the author
DO NOT begin with "I am going to write about…"
DO NOT say “I think…” or “I believe…” It’s an essay, of course it’s your opinion!
DO NOT use the arguments from your body paragraphs in the introduction.
Some examples:
The world can be a dangerous place for teenagers. The risks that teens have to face as they transition to adulthood are like a minefield - it can be a real challenge just to make it to twenty-one. This is becoming even more of an issue as teens are exposed to more dangers through the internet. If we care about teenagers, the last thing we should do is to lower the drinking age to eighteen.
For generations students have questioned the value of the courses they must take in school. They see no relationship between their classes and the "real world" outside the classroom. One course, however, is very valuable in the real world for engineers, scientists, business people and others – math. All students should be required to take at least four years of mathematics.
The relationship between humans and animals goes back thousands of years. Birds, pigs, rats and other animals all have special talents which have been used by humans. Birds can talk, pigs can find truffles, rats can run wires through walls for plumbers, but no animal has quite as many special talents as dogs, especially when it comes to helping ranchers.