(Some of the following is drawn from Strunk & White)
1. A good intro has several different aims:
catches reader's interest
establishes voice
reveals central matter you will address
sketches the context/begins on general level (introduces general subject matter)
tells the author, name of story
moves more and more specifically towards thesis sentence
looks like a funnel
has final sentence as thesis
2. The first line:
usually names the author and the title of the work (or the second or third sentence will do this)
AND it may also
pose a question and address it
use a baited opener (something odd or curious that delays the "real" beginning of the intro)
begin on an opposite tack—show how your argument differs from norm
begin with a quotation
quotation should not be analyzed here--save those "meaty" quotations for body paragraphs
you can use a quotation from an outside source in your intro. or conclusion but not in your body paragraphs
Note: Generally, for short papers, it's better not to try for a first sentence that's too fancy or complicated.
3. You build to the thesis with 2-3 sentences that give some context for the thesis and/or set the premise on which the thesis will be based.
Your thesis is the last sentence of your intro.
4. Don't do "quotation and analysis" in your intro--save that for your body paragraphs!
5. Some tips: Avoid the deadly opener
solemn platitude
unneeded dictionary definition
restatement of assignment, with an unenthusiastic interest
"little me" apology
bald statement of thesis: "In this essay, I will" etc.
4. Intro should be shorter than the other paragraphs—no more than half a page long, if that (1/3 of a page is better).