how to write a good introduction paragraph in an informative essay

Get science-backed answers as you write with Paperpal's Research feature

How to Write an Essay Introduction (with Examples)  

The introduction of an essay plays a critical role in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. It sets the stage for the rest of the essay, establishes the tone and style, and motivates the reader to continue reading.

What is an essay introduction , what to include in an essay introduction, how to create an essay structure , step-by-step process for writing an essay introduction , how to write an introduction paragraph , how to write a hook for your essay , how to include background information , how to write a thesis statement .

Argumentative Essay Introduction Example:
Expository Essay Introduction Example

Literary Analysis Essay Introduction Example

Check and revise – checklist for essay introduction , key takeaways , frequently asked questions .

An introduction is the opening section of an essay, paper, or other written work. It introduces the topic and provides background information, context, and an overview of what the reader can expect from the rest of the work. 1 The key is to be concise and to the point, providing enough information to engage the reader without delving into excessive detail.

The essay introduction is crucial as it sets the tone for the entire piece and provides the reader with a roadmap of what to expect. Here are key elements to include in your essay introduction:

Hook : Start with an attention-grabbing statement or question to engage the reader. This could be a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or a compelling anecdote.
Background information : Provide context and background information to help the reader understand the topic. This can include historical information, definitions of key terms, or an overview of the current state of affairs related to your topic.
Thesis statement : Clearly state your main argument or position on the topic. Your thesis should be concise and specific, providing a clear direction for your essay.

Before we get into how to write an essay introduction, we need to know how it is structured. The structure of an essay is crucial for organizing your thoughts and presenting them clearly and logically. It is divided as follows: 2

Introduction:  The introduction should grab the reader’s attention with a hook, provide context, and include a thesis statement that presents the main argument or purpose of the essay.
Body:  The body should consist of focused paragraphs that support your thesis statement using evidence and analysis. Each paragraph should concentrate on a single central idea or argument and provide evidence, examples, or analysis to back it up.
Conclusion:  The conclusion should summarize the main points and restate the thesis differently. End with a final statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Avoid new information or arguments.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write an essay introduction:

Start with a Hook : Begin your introduction paragraph with an attention-grabbing statement, question, quote, or anecdote related to your topic. The hook should pique the reader’s interest and encourage them to continue reading.
Provide Background Information : This helps the reader understand the relevance and importance of the topic.
State Your Thesis Statement : The last sentence is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be clear, concise, and directly address the topic of your essay.
Preview the Main Points : This gives the reader an idea of what to expect and how you will support your thesis.
Keep it Concise and Clear : Avoid going into too much detail or including information not directly relevant to your topic.
Revise : Revise your introduction after you’ve written the rest of your essay to ensure it aligns with your final argument.

Here’s an example of an essay introduction paragraph about the importance of education:

Education is often viewed as a fundamental human right and a key social and economic development driver. As Nelson Mandela once famously said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” It is the key to unlocking a wide range of opportunities and benefits for individuals, societies, and nations. In today’s constantly evolving world, education has become even more critical. It has expanded beyond traditional classroom learning to include digital and remote learning, making education more accessible and convenient. This essay will delve into the importance of education in empowering individuals to achieve their dreams, improving societies by promoting social justice and equality, and driving economic growth by developing a skilled workforce and promoting innovation.

This introduction paragraph example includes a hook (the quote by Nelson Mandela), provides some background information on education, and states the thesis statement (the importance of education).

This is one of the key steps in how to write an essay introduction. Crafting a compelling hook is vital because it sets the tone for your entire essay and determines whether your readers will stay interested. A good hook draws the reader in and sets the stage for the rest of your essay.

Avoid Dry Fact : Instead of simply stating a bland fact, try to make it engaging and relevant to your topic. For example, if you’re writing about the benefits of exercise, you could start with a startling statistic like, “Did you know that regular exercise can increase your lifespan by up to seven years?”
Avoid Using a Dictionary Definition : While definitions can be informative, they’re not always the most captivating way to start an essay. Instead, try to use a quote, anecdote, or provocative question to pique the reader’s interest. For instance, if you’re writing about freedom, you could begin with a quote from a famous freedom fighter or philosopher.
Do Not Just State a Fact That the Reader Already Knows : This ties back to the first point—your hook should surprise or intrigue the reader. For Here’s an introduction paragraph example, if you’re writing about climate change, you could start with a thought-provoking statement like, “Despite overwhelming evidence, many people still refuse to believe in the reality of climate change.”

Including background information in the introduction section of your essay is important to provide context and establish the relevance of your topic. When writing the background information, you can follow these steps:

Start with a General Statement:  Begin with a general statement about the topic and gradually narrow it down to your specific focus. For example, when discussing the impact of social media, you can begin by making a broad statement about social media and its widespread use in today’s society, as follows: “Social media has become an integral part of modern life, with billions of users worldwide.”
Define Key Terms : Define any key terms or concepts that may be unfamiliar to your readers but are essential for understanding your argument.
Provide Relevant Statistics:  Use statistics or facts to highlight the significance of the issue you’re discussing. For instance, “According to a report by Statista, the number of social media users is expected to reach 4.41 billion by 2025.”
Discuss the Evolution:  Mention previous research or studies that have been conducted on the topic, especially those that are relevant to your argument. Mention key milestones or developments that have shaped its current impact. You can also outline some of the major effects of social media. For example, you can briefly describe how social media has evolved, including positives such as increased connectivity and issues like cyberbullying and privacy concerns.
Transition to Your Thesis:  Use the background information to lead into your thesis statement, which should clearly state the main argument or purpose of your essay. For example, “Given its pervasive influence, it is crucial to examine the impact of social media on mental health.”

A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, or other type of academic writing. It appears near the end of the introduction. Here’s how to write a thesis statement:

Identify the topic:  Start by identifying the topic of your essay. For example, if your essay is about the importance of exercise for overall health, your topic is “exercise.”
State your position:  Next, state your position or claim about the topic. This is the main argument or point you want to make. For example, if you believe that regular exercise is crucial for maintaining good health, your position could be: “Regular exercise is essential for maintaining good health.”
Support your position:  Provide a brief overview of the reasons or evidence that support your position. These will be the main points of your essay. For example, if you’re writing an essay about the importance of exercise, you could mention the physical health benefits, mental health benefits, and the role of exercise in disease prevention.
Make it specific:  Ensure your thesis statement clearly states what you will discuss in your essay. For example, instead of saying, “Exercise is good for you,” you could say, “Regular exercise, including cardiovascular and strength training, can improve overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.”

Examples of essay introduction

Here are examples of essay introductions for different types of essays:

Argumentative Essay Introduction Example:

Topic: Should the voting age be lowered to 16?

“The question of whether the voting age should be lowered to 16 has sparked nationwide debate. While some argue that 16-year-olds lack the requisite maturity and knowledge to make informed decisions, others argue that doing so would imbue young people with agency and give them a voice in shaping their future.”

Expository Essay Introduction Example

Topic: The benefits of regular exercise

“In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of regular exercise cannot be overstated. From improving physical health to boosting mental well-being, the benefits of exercise are numerous and far-reaching. This essay will examine the various advantages of regular exercise and provide tips on incorporating it into your daily routine.”

Text: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee

“Harper Lee’s novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ is a timeless classic that explores themes of racism, injustice, and morality in the American South. Through the eyes of young Scout Finch, the reader is taken on a journey that challenges societal norms and forces characters to confront their prejudices. This essay will analyze the novel’s use of symbolism, character development, and narrative structure to uncover its deeper meaning and relevance to contemporary society.”

Engaging and Relevant First Sentence : The opening sentence captures the reader’s attention and relates directly to the topic.
Background Information : Enough background information is introduced to provide context for the thesis statement.
Definition of Important Terms : Key terms or concepts that might be unfamiliar to the audience or are central to the argument are defined.
Clear Thesis Statement : The thesis statement presents the main point or argument of the essay.
Relevance to Main Body : Everything in the introduction directly relates to and sets up the discussion in the main body of the essay.

Writing a strong introduction is crucial for setting the tone and context of your essay. Here are the key takeaways for how to write essay introduction: 3

Hook the Reader : Start with an engaging hook to grab the reader’s attention. This could be a compelling question, a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or an anecdote.
Provide Background : Give a brief overview of the topic, setting the context and stage for the discussion.
Thesis Statement : State your thesis, which is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be concise, clear, and specific.
Preview the Structure : Outline the main points or arguments to help the reader understand the organization of your essay.
Keep it Concise : Avoid including unnecessary details or information not directly related to your thesis.
Revise and Edit : Revise your introduction to ensure clarity, coherence, and relevance. Check for grammar and spelling errors.
Seek Feedback : Get feedback from peers or instructors to improve your introduction further.

The purpose of an essay introduction is to give an overview of the topic, context, and main ideas of the essay. It is meant to engage the reader, establish the tone for the rest of the essay, and introduce the thesis statement or central argument.

An essay introduction typically ranges from 5-10% of the total word count. For example, in a 1,000-word essay, the introduction would be roughly 50-100 words. However, the length can vary depending on the complexity of the topic and the overall length of the essay.

An essay introduction is critical in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. To ensure its effectiveness, consider incorporating these key elements: a compelling hook, background information, a clear thesis statement, an outline of the essay’s scope, a smooth transition to the body, and optional signposting sentences.

The process of writing an essay introduction is not necessarily straightforward, but there are several strategies that can be employed to achieve this end. When experiencing difficulty initiating the process, consider the following techniques: begin with an anecdote, a quotation, an image, a question, or a startling fact to pique the reader’s interest. It may also be helpful to consider the five W’s of journalism: who, what, when, where, why, and how. For instance, an anecdotal opening could be structured as follows: “As I ascended the stage, momentarily blinded by the intense lights, I could sense the weight of a hundred eyes upon me, anticipating my next move. The topic of discussion was climate change, a subject I was passionate about, and it was my first public speaking event. Little did I know , that pivotal moment would not only alter my perspective but also chart my life’s course.”

Crafting a compelling thesis statement for your introduction paragraph is crucial to grab your reader’s attention. To achieve this, avoid using overused phrases such as “In this paper, I will write about” or “I will focus on” as they lack originality. Instead, strive to engage your reader by substantiating your stance or proposition with a “so what” clause. While writing your thesis statement, aim to be precise, succinct, and clear in conveying your main argument.

To create an effective essay introduction, ensure it is clear, engaging, relevant, and contains a concise thesis statement. It should transition smoothly into the essay and be long enough to cover necessary points but not become overwhelming. Seek feedback from peers or instructors to assess its effectiveness.

References

Cui, L. (2022). Unit 6 Essay Introduction.  Building Academic Writing Skills .
West, H., Malcolm, G., Keywood, S., & Hill, J. (2019). Writing a successful essay.  Journal of Geography in Higher Education ,  43 (4), 609-617.
Beavers, M. E., Thoune, D. L., & McBeth, M. (2023). Bibliographic Essay: Reading, Researching, Teaching, and Writing with Hooks: A Queer Literacy Sponsorship. College English, 85(3), 230-242.

Paperpal is a comprehensive AI writing toolkit that helps students and researchers achieve 2x the writing in half the time. It leverages 21+ years of STM experience and insights from millions of research articles to provide in-depth academic writing, language editing, and submission readiness support to help you write better, faster.

Get accurate academic translations, rewriting support, grammar checks, vocabulary suggestions, and generative AI assistance that delivers human precision at machine speed. Try for free or upgrade to Paperpal Prime starting at US$19 a month to access premium features, including consistency, plagiarism, and 30+ submission readiness checks to help you succeed.

Experience the future of academic writing – Sign up to Paperpal and start writing for free!

Similarity Checks: The Author’s Guide to Plagiarism and Responsible Writing

Types of plagiarism and 6 tips to avoid it in your writing , you may also like, how to structure an essay, leveraging generative ai to enhance student understanding of..., how to write a good hook for essays,..., addressing peer review feedback and mastering manuscript revisions..., how paperpal can boost comprehension and foster interdisciplinary..., what is the importance of a concept paper..., how to write the first draft of a..., mla works cited page: format, template & examples, how to ace grant writing for research funding..., powerful academic phrases to improve your essay writing .

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to write an introduction paragraph in 3 steps.

General Education

feature-introduction-intro-once-upon-a-time-pen-writing-cc0

It’s the roadmap to your essay, it’s the forecast for your argument, it’s...your introduction paragraph, and writing one can feel pretty intimidating. The introduction paragraph is a part of just about every kind of academic writing , from persuasive essays to research papers. But that doesn’t mean writing one is easy!

If trying to write an intro paragraph makes you feel like a Muggle trying to do magic, trust us: you aren’t alone. But there are some tips and tricks that can make the process easier—and that’s where we come in.

In this article, we’re going to explain how to write a captivating intro paragraph by covering the following info:

A discussion of what an introduction paragraph is and its purpose in an essay
An overview of the most effective introduction paragraph format, with explanations of the three main parts of an intro paragraph
An analysis of real intro paragraph examples, with a discussion of what works and what doesn’t
A list of four top tips on how to write an introduction paragraph

Are you ready? Let’s begin!

What Is an Introduction Paragraph?

An introduction paragraph is the first paragraph of an essay , paper, or other type of academic writing. Argumentative essays , book reports, research papers, and even personal essays are common types of writing that require an introduction paragraph. Whether you’re writing a research paper for a science course or an argumentative essay for English class , you’re going to have to write an intro paragraph.

So what’s the purpose of an intro paragraph? As a reader’s first impression of your essay, the intro paragraph should introduce the topic of your paper.

Your introduction will also state any claims, questions, or issues that your paper will focus on. This is commonly known as your paper’s thesis . This condenses the overall point of your paper into one or two short sentences that your reader can come back and reference later.

But intro paragraphs need to do a bit more than just introduce your topic. An intro paragraph is also supposed to grab your reader’s attention. The intro paragraph is your chance to provide just enough info and intrigue to make your reader say, “Hey, this topic sounds interesting. I think I’ll keep reading this essay!” That can help your essay stand out from the crowd.

In most cases, an intro paragraph will be relatively short. A good intro will be clear, brief, purposeful, and focused. While there are some exceptions to this rule, it’s common for intro paragraphs to consist of three to five sentences .

Effectively introducing your essay’s topic, purpose, and getting your reader invested in your essay sounds like a lot to ask from one little paragraph, huh? In the next section, we’ll demystify the intro paragraph format by breaking it down into its core parts . When you learn how to approach each part of an intro, writing one won’t seem so scary!

Once you figure out the three parts of an intro paragraph, writing one will be a piece of cake!

The 3 Main Parts of an Intro Paragraph

In general, an intro paragraph is going to have three main parts: a hook, context, and a thesis statement . Each of these pieces of the intro plays a key role in acquainting the reader with the topic and purpose of your essay.

Below, we’ll explain how to start an introduction paragraph by writing an effective hook, providing context, and crafting a thesis statement. When you put these elements together, you’ll have an intro paragraph that does a great job of making a great first impression on your audience!

Intro Paragraph Part 1: The Hook

When it comes to how to start an introduction paragraph, o ne of the most common approaches is to start with something called a hook.

What does hook mean here, though? Think of it this way: it’s like when you start a new Netflix series: you look up a few hours (and a few episodes) later and you say, “Whoa. I guess I must be hooked on this show!”

That’s how the hook is supposed to work in an intro paragrap h: it should get your reader interested enough that they don’t want to press the proverbial “pause” button while they’re reading it . In other words, a hook is designed to grab your reader’s attention and keep them reading your essay!

This means that the hook comes first in the intro paragraph format—it’ll be the opening sentence of your intro.

It’s important to realize that there are many different ways to write a good hook. But generally speaking, hooks must include these two things: what your topic is, and the angle you’re taking on that topic in your essay.

One approach to writing a hook that works is starting with a general, but interesting, statement on your topic. In this type of hook, you’re trying to provide a broad introduction to your topic and your angle on the topic in an engaging way .

For example, if you’re writing an essay about the role of the government in the American healthcare system, your hook might look something like this:

There's a growing movement to require that the federal government provide affordable, effective healthcare for all Americans.

This hook introduces the essay topic in a broad way (government and healthcare) by presenting a general statement on the topic. But the assumption presented in the hook can also be seen as controversial, which gets readers interested in learning more about what the writer—and the essay—has to say.

In other words, the statement above fulfills the goals of a good hook: it’s intriguing and provides a general introduction to the essay topic.

Intro Paragraph Part 2: Context

Once you’ve provided an attention-grabbing hook, you’ll want to give more context about your essay topic. Context refers to additional details that reveal the specific focus of your paper. So, whereas the hook provides a general introduction to your topic, context starts helping readers understand what exactly you’re going to be writing about

You can include anywhere from one to several sentences of context in your intro, depending on your teacher’s expectations, the length of your paper, and complexity of your topic. In these context-providing sentences, you want to begin narrowing the focus of your intro. You can do this by describing a specific issue or question about your topic that you’ll address in your essay. It also helps readers start to understand why the topic you’re writing about matters and why they should read about it.

So, what counts as context for an intro paragraph? Context can be any important details or descriptions that provide background on existing perspectives, common cultural attitudes, or a specific situation or controversy relating to your essay topic. The context you include should acquaint your reader with the issues, questions, or events that motivated you to write an essay on your topic...and that your reader should know in order to understand your thesis.

For instance, if you’re writing an essay analyzing the consequences of sexism in Hollywood, the context you include after your hook might make reference to the #metoo and #timesup movements that have generated public support for victims of sexual harassment.

The key takeaway here is that context establishes why you’re addressing your topic and what makes it important. It also sets you up for success on the final piece of an intro paragraph: the thesis statement.

Elle Woods' statement offers a specific point of view on the topic of murder...which means it could serve as a pretty decent thesis statement!

Intro Paragraph Part 3: The Thesis

The final key part of how to write an intro paragraph is the thesis statement. The thesis statement is the backbone of your introduction: it conveys your argument or point of view on your topic in a clear, concise, and compelling way . The thesis is usually the last sentence of your intro paragraph.

Whether it’s making a claim, outlining key points, or stating a hypothesis, your thesis statement will tell your reader exactly what idea(s) are going to be addressed in your essay. A good thesis statement will be clear, straightforward, and highlight the overall point you’re trying to make.

Some instructors also ask students to include an essay map as part of their thesis. An essay map is a section that outlines the major topics a paper will address. So for instance, say you’re writing a paper that argues for the importance of public transport in rural communities. Your thesis and essay map might look like this:

Having public transport in rural communities helps people improve their economic situation by giving them reliable transportation to their job, reducing the amount of money they spend on gas, and providing new and unionized work .

The underlined section is the essay map because it touches on the three big things the writer will talk about later. It literally maps out the rest of the essay!

So let’s review: Your thesis takes the idea you’ve introduced in your hook and context and wraps it up. Think of it like a television episode: the hook sets the scene by presenting a general statement and/or interesting idea that sucks you in. The context advances the plot by describing the topic in more detail and helping readers understand why the topic is important. And finally, the thesis statement provides the climax by telling the reader what you have to say about the topic.

The thesis statement is the most important part of the intro. Without it, your reader won’t know what the purpose of your essay is! And for a piece of writing to be effective, it needs to have a clear purpose. Your thesis statement conveys that purpose , so it’s important to put careful thought into writing a clear and compelling thesis statement.

How To Write an Introduction Paragraph: Example and Analysis

Now that we’ve provided an intro paragraph outline and have explained the three key parts of an intro paragraph, let’s take a look at an intro paragraph in action.

To show you how an intro paragraph works, we’ve included a sample introduction paragraph below, followed by an analysis of its strengths and weaknesses.

Example of Introduction Paragraph

While college students in the U.S. are struggling with how to pay for college, there is another surprising demographic that’s affected by the pressure to pay for college: families and parents. In the face of tuition price tags that total more than $100,000 (as a low estimate), families must make difficult decisions about how to save for their children’s college education. Charting a feasible path to saving for college is further complicated by the FAFSA’s estimates for an “Expected Family Contribution”—an amount of money that is rarely feasible for most American families. Due to these challenging financial circumstances and cultural pressure to give one’s children the best possible chance of success in adulthood, many families are going into serious debt to pay for their children’s college education. The U.S. government should move toward bearing more of the financial burden of college education.

Example of Introduction Paragraph: Analysis

Before we dive into analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of this example intro paragraph, let’s establish the essay topic. The sample intro indicates that t he essay topic will focus on one specific issue: who should cover the cost of college education in the U.S., and why. Both the hook and the context help us identify the topic, while the thesis in the last sentence tells us why this topic matters to the writer—they think the U.S. Government needs to help finance college education. This is also the writer’s argument, which they’ll cover in the body of their essay.

Now that we’ve identified the essay topic presented in the sample intro, let’s dig into some analysis. To pin down its strengths and weaknesses, we’re going to use the following three questions to guide our example of introduction paragraph analysis:

Does this intro provide an attention-grabbing opening sentence that conveys the essay topic?
Does this intro provide relevant, engaging context about the essay topic?
Does this intro provide a thesis statement that establishes the writer’s point of view on the topic and what specific aspects of the issue the essay will address?

Now, let’s use the questions above to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of this sample intro paragraph.

Does the Intro Have a Good Hook?

First, the intro starts out with an attention-grabbing hook . The writer starts by presenting an assumption (that the U.S. federal government bears most of the financial burden of college education), which makes the topic relatable to a wide audience of readers. Also note that the hook relates to the general topic of the essay, which is the high cost of college education.

The hook then takes a surprising turn by presenting a counterclaim : that American families, rather than students, feel the true burden of paying for college. Some readers will have a strong emotional reaction to this provocative counterclaim, which will make them want to keep reading! As such, this intro provides an effective opening sentence that conveys the essay topic.

Does the Intro Give Context?

T he second, third, and fourth sentences of the intro provide contextual details that reveal the specific focus of the writer’s paper . Remember: the context helps readers start to zoom in on what the paper will focus on, and what aspect of the general topic (college costs) will be discussed later on.

The context in this intro reveals the intent and direction of the paper by explaining why the issue of families financing college is important. In other words, the context helps readers understand why this issue matters , and what aspects of this issue will be addressed in the paper.

To provide effective context, the writer refers to issues (the exorbitant cost of college and high levels of family debt) that have received a lot of recent scholarly and media attention. These sentences of context also elaborate on the interesting perspective included in the hook: that American families are most affected by college costs.

Does the Intro Have a Thesis?

Finally, this intro provides a thesis statement that conveys the writer’s point of view on the issue of financing college education. This writer believes that the U.S. government should do more to pay for students’ college educations.

However, the thesis statement doesn’t give us any details about why the writer has made this claim or why this will help American families . There isn’t an essay map that helps readers understand what points the writer will make in the essay.

To revise this thesis statement so that it establishes the specific aspects of the topic that the essay will address, the writer could add the following to the beginning of the thesis statement:

The U.S. government should take on more of the financial burden of college education because other countries have shown this can improve education rates while reducing levels of familial poverty.

Check out the new section in bold. Not only does it clarify that the writer is talking about the pressure put on families, it touches on the big topics the writer will address in the paper: improving education rates and reduction of poverty. So not only do we have a clearer argumentative statement in this thesis, we also have an essay map!

So, let’s recap our analysis. This sample intro paragraph does an effective job of providing an engaging hook and relatable, interesting context, but the thesis statement needs some work ! As you write your own intro paragraphs, you might consider using the questions above to evaluate and revise your work. Doing this will help ensure you’ve covered all of your bases and written an intro that your readers will find interesting!

4 Tips for How To Write an Introduction Paragraph

Now that we’ve gone over an example of introduction paragraph analysis, let’s talk about how to write an introduction paragraph of your own. Keep reading for four tips for writing a successful intro paragraph for any essay.

Tip 1: Analyze Your Essay Prompt

If you’re having trouble with how to start an introduction paragraph, analyze your essay prompt! Most teachers give you some kind of assignment sheet, formal instructions, or prompt to set the expectations for an essay they’ve assigned, right? Those instructions can help guide you as you write your intro paragraph!

Because they’ll be reading and responding to your essay, you want to make sure you meet your teacher’s expectations for an intro paragraph . For instance, if they’ve provided specific instructions about how long the intro should be or where the thesis statement should be located, be sure to follow them!

The type of paper you’re writing can give you clues as to how to approach your intro as well. If you’re writing a research paper, your professor might expect you to provide a research question or state a hypothesis in your intro. If you’re writing an argumentative essay, you’ll need to make sure your intro overviews the context surrounding your argument and your thesis statement includes a clear, defensible claim.

Using the parameters set out by your instructor and assignment sheet can put some easy-to-follow boundaries in place for things like your intro’s length, structure, and content. Following these guidelines can free you up to focus on other aspects of your intro... like coming up with an exciting hook and conveying your point of view on your topic!

Tip 2: Narrow Your Topic

You can’t write an intro paragraph without first identifying your topic. To make your intro as effective as possible, you need to define the parameters of your topic clearly—and you need to be specific.

For example, let’s say you want to write about college football. “NCAA football” is too broad of a topic for a paper. There is a lot to talk about in terms of college football! It would be tough to write an intro paragraph that’s focused, purposeful, and engaging on this topic. In fact, if you did try to address this whole topic, you’d probably end up writing a book!

Instead, you should narrow broad topics to identify a specific question, claim, or issue pertaining to some aspect of NCAA football for your intro to be effective. So, for instance, you could frame your topic as, “How can college professors better support NCAA football players in academics?” This focused topic pertaining to NCAA football would give you a more manageable angle to discuss in your paper.

So before you think about writing your intro, ask yourself: Is my essay topic specific, focused, and logical? Does it convey an issue or question that I can explore over the course of several pages? Once you’ve established a good topic, you’ll have the foundation you need to write an effective intro paragraph .

Once you've figured out your topic, it's time to hit the books!

Tip 3: Do Your Research

This tip is tightly intertwined with the one above, and it’s crucial to writing a good intro: do your research! And, guess what? This tip applies to all papers—even ones that aren’t technically research papers.

Here’s why you need to do some research: getting the lay of the land on what others have said about your topic—whether that’s scholars and researchers or the mass media— will help you narrow your topic, write an engaging hook, and provide relatable context.

You don't want to sit down to write your intro without a solid understanding of the different perspectives on your topic. Whether those are the perspectives of experts or the general public, these points of view will help you write your intro in a way that is intriguing and compelling for your audience of readers.

Tip 4: Write Multiple Drafts

Some say to write your intro first; others say write it last. The truth is, there isn’t a right or wrong time to write your intro—but you do need to have enough time to write multiple drafts .

Oftentimes, your professor will ask you to write multiple drafts of your paper, which gives you a built-in way to make sure you revise your intro. Another approach you could take is to write out a rough draft of your intro before you begin writing your essay, then revise it multiple times as you draft out your paper.

Here’s why this approach can work: as you write your paper, you’ll probably come up with new insights on your topic that you didn’t have right from the start. You can use these “light bulb” moments to reevaluate your intro and make revisions that keep it in line with your developing essay draft.

Once you’ve written your entire essay, consider going back and revising your intro again . You can ask yourself these questions as you evaluate your intro:

Is my hook still relevant to the way I’ve approached the topic in my essay?
Do I provide enough appropriate context to introduce my essay?
Now that my essay is written, does my thesis statement still accurately reflect the point of view that I present in my essay?

Using these questions as a guide and putting your intro through multiple revisions will help ensure that you’ve written the best intro for the final draft of your essay. Also, revising your writing is always a good thing to do—and this applies to your intro, too!

What's Next?

Your college essays also need great intro paragraphs. Here’s a guide that focuses on how to write the perfect intro for your admissions essays.

Of course, the intro is just one part of your college essay . This article will teach you how to write a college essay that makes admissions counselors sit up and take notice.

Are you trying to write an analytical essay? Our step-by-step guide can help you knock it out of the park.

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

Informative Essay — Purpose, Structure, and Examples

What is informative writing.

Informative writing educates the reader about a certain topic. An informative essay may explain new information, describe a process, or clarify a concept. The provided information is objective, meaning the writing focuses on presentation of fact and should not contain personal opinion or bias.

Informative writing includes description, process, cause and effect, comparison, and problems and possible solutions:

Describes a person, place, thing, or event using descriptive language that appeals to readers’ senses

Explains the process to do something or how something was created

Discusses the relationship between two things, determining how one ( cause ) leads to the other ( effect ); the effect needs to be based on fact and not an assumption

Identifies the similarities and differences between two things; does not indicate that one is better than the other

Details a problem and presents various possible solutions ; the writer does not suggest one solution is more effective than the others

Purpose of informative writing

The purpose of an informative essay depends upon the writer’s motivation, but may be to share new information, describe a process, clarify a concept, explain why or how, or detail a topic’s intricacies.

Informative essays may introduce readers to new information .

Summarizing a scientific/technological study

Outlining the various aspects of a religion

Providing information on a historical period

Describe a process or give step-by-step details of a procedure.

How to write an informational essay

How to construct an argument

How to apply for a job

Clarify a concept and offer details about complex ideas.

Explain why or how something works the way that it does.

Describe how the stock market impacts the economy

Illustrate why there are high and low tides

Detail how the heart functions

Offer information on the smaller aspects or intricacies of a larger topic.

Identify the importance of the individual bones in the body

Outlining the Dust Bowl in the context of the Great Depression

Explaining how bees impact the environment

How to write an informative essay

Regardless of the type of information, the informative essay structure typically consists of an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Introduction

Background information

Explanation of evidence

Restated thesis

Review of main ideas

Closing statement

Informative essay introduction

When composing the introductory paragraph(s) of an informative paper, include a hook, introduce the topic, provide background information, and develop a good thesis statement.

If the hook or introduction creates interest in the first paragraph, it will draw the readers’ attention and make them more receptive to the essay writer's ideas. Some of the most common techniques to accomplish this include the following:

Emphasize the topic’s importance by explaining the current interest in the topic or by indicating that the subject is influential.

Use pertinent statistics to give the paper an air of authority.

A surprising statement can be shocking; sometimes it is disgusting; sometimes it is joyful; sometimes it is surprising because of who said it.

An interesting incident or anecdote can act as a teaser to lure the reader into the remainder of the essay. Be sure that the device is appropriate for the informative essay topic and focus on what is to follow.

Directly introduce the topic of the essay.

Provide the reader with the background information necessary to understand the topic. Don’t repeat this information in the body of the essay; it should help the reader understand what follows.

Identify the overall purpose of the essay with the thesis (purpose statement). Writers can also include their support directly in the thesis, which outlines the structure of the essay for the reader.

Informative essay body paragraphs

Each body paragraph should contain a topic sentence, evidence, explanation of evidence, and a transition sentence.

A good topic sentence should identify what information the reader should expect in the paragraph and how it connects to the main purpose identified in the thesis.

Provide evidence that details the main point of the paragraph. This includes paraphrasing, summarizing, and directly quoting facts, statistics, and statements.

Explain how the evidence connects to the main purpose of the essay.

Place transitions at the end of each body paragraph, except the last. There is no need to transition from the last support to the conclusion. A transition should accomplish three goals:

Tell the reader where you were (current support)

Tell the reader where you are going (next support)

Relate the paper’s purpose

Informative essay conclusion

Incorporate a rephrased thesis, summary, and closing statement into the conclusion of an informative essay.

Rephrase the purpose of the essay. Do not just repeat the purpose statement from the thesis.

Summarize the main idea found in each body paragraph by rephrasing each topic sentence.

End with a clincher or closing statement that helps readers answer the question “so what?” What should the reader take away from the information provided in the essay? Why should they care about the topic?

Informative essay example

The following example illustrates a good informative essay format:

PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
EDIT Edit this Article
EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
Browse Articles
Learn Something New
Quizzes Hot
This Or That Game
Train Your Brain
Explore More
Support wikiHow
About wikiHow
Log in / Sign up
Education and Communications
College University and Postgraduate
Academic Writing

How to Write an Informative Essay

Last Updated: February 14, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Megan Morgan, PhD . Megan Morgan is a Graduate Program Academic Advisor in the School of Public & International Affairs at the University of Georgia. She earned her PhD in English from the University of Georgia in 2015. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 244,232 times.

An informative essay educates the reader about a topic. You'll need to know a good deal about your subject and convey information in a clear, organized fashion. If it seems overwhelming at first, remember to take it step by step. Working methodically can help you write a successful paper, and you may even enjoy the process!

Selecting and Researching Your Topic

Be sure you know how your teacher wants you to cite your sources so you can keep track of what you research. Some schools provide reference software like EndNote or RefWorks, which can make collecting and keeping track of research sources easier.
Be aware of any formatting requirements. The essay prompt will often tell you things such as whether the essay needs to be handwritten or typed, and what font type and size to use. If it doesn't stipulate, the safe choice is a standard, readable 12-pt font such as Times New Roman or Arial. Avoid using "cute" or "quirky" fonts in an academic paper unless given specific permission to do so.
Know the due date! Get started early so that you have plenty of time to complete the essay.

The topic should not be too broad or too narrow. See Write an Essay for more information. There should be enough information about the topic to write about, but not so much that you can't present clear, concise information. For example, writing on "the history of animal shelters" is probably much too broad, while "the history of Sunny Days Animal Shelter in X County" is probably too narrow. A happy medium might be "the history of breed-specific animal shelters in America."
The topic should be appropriate and interesting to your audience. Think in advance about who might be reading your essay. Obviously, if this is for school, your teacher is your primary audience, but you should always have a target audience in mind. What will they want to know? What do they probably not know already that your essay will provide?
Ideally, the topic should be one that interests you. This will make the writing process that much easier, and you can pass your enthusiasm on to your reader.

For best results, try to find online sources from reputable organizations, government agencies, and universities. Google Scholar can be a good place to start.

For your informative essay, you will need an introduction, at least three main points, and a conclusion. You may want to make these sections and write notes down under the section where you expect it to go.

Make an ideas map. Put your topic in a circle at the center of a piece of paper, then write down the most important pieces of information or ideas related to it in circles surrounding the topic. Make lines connecting each idea to the topic. Next, add details around each idea, circling them and making lines to show connections. There may be lines connecting ideas to each other, as well, or between supporting details.
Make a list. If you prefer the linear format of a list, write down your topic at the top and then below it any ideas you have. Under the ideas, add extra details that support them. Don't worry about putting them in specific order - that comes next.
Free write. Free writing can help you generate ideas, even if it usually doesn't provide polished prose you'll use in your final draft. Set a short time limit, such as 15 minutes, and then write whatever comes to mind about your topic. Don't stop to edit or change spelling, and keep writing even if you aren't sure you have anything to say. The important thing is to write for all 15 minutes.

Making an Outline

Step 1 Plan an introduction with a hook.

Don't worry about getting your thesis just right at this point - that comes later. If you don't feel ready to write the thesis out, jot down some notes in the introductory part of your outline. At the very least, you need some idea of what you want to say in your essay.
While it may seem odd to summarize your essay before you've begun, writing your thesis at the beginning of your outline will help you organize your ideas and select the most important details that you want to present.

Step 2 Use one major supporting detail per paragraph in the body of your essay.

The number of details you use depends on the paper length: if you're writing a five-paragraph essay, then you have three paragraphs for the body, so you'll need three main ideas.
Make sure you choose the most important details, and that they are all distinct from one another.
Details used to support your thesis are also called "evidence."

Step 3 Add in supporting details for each paragraph in the body.

Make sure you have enough supporting details for each paragraph. If you don't have enough to say about the paragraph's main topic, consider changing the topic or combining it with another paragraph. Alternatively, you can research a bit more to find additional supporting details for the paragraph.

Step 4 Restate your thesis in your conclusion.

Writing Your Essay

Do not worry about spelling errors or mistakes. Remember that this is just a rough draft, not your final copy. Just focus on writing it down, and later you can fix mistakes.
Write your rough draft by hand or type it - whichever is easier for you.

Step 2 Give each paragraph a topic sentence.

For example, a topic/transition sentence might look like this: "While some factories allow union labor, others, such as those in X, argue that unionizing harms the workplace." This sentence gives a clear direction for the paragraph (some factories argue against unionizing) and links it to the paragraph before it (which was probably about pro-union factories).
Remember: each paragraph needs unity (a single central idea), clear relation to the thesis , coherence (logical relationship of ideas within the paragraph), and development (ideas are clearly explained and supported). [11] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source

Make sure you're clear about what the idea of each paragraph is. To keep yourself on track, refer to your outline as you write.

Have you told the reader everything you need to about your topic?
Do you have a clear thesis statement, expressed in two to three sentences?
Do all your paragraphs relate to the thesis?
Does each paragraph have one main idea, supported by accurate, objective details?
Does your conclusion summarize your thoughts on the topic without adding new information or opinions?
How does the paper flow? Are there clear, logical transitions between paragraphs?
Have you used clear, concise prose and avoided flowery language?
Did the reader learn something new from the essay? Is it presented in an interesting way?
Have you cited sources as instructed by your teacher?

As you write your final draft, keep track of coherence in particular. Rough drafts often have all of their ideas jumbled up without a clear, logical progression. A key difference between a rough draft and a final draft is that the final draft should offer its information in a smooth, clear, easy-to-read fashion that builds on previous points as it goes along. Keeping an eye out to make sure you've followed the C-E-E- formula will help you.

Also keep an eye out for word echoes, or words that show up many times within the space of a few sentences or paragraphs. If you use the word discusses multiple times in the same paragraph, it will make your writing seem clunky and unpolished.

Sometimes our eyes "fix" mistakes for us as we read, so it's hard to catch mistakes reading silently. Reading aloud helps you find mistakes your eye might not.

Community Q&A

↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/understanding-assignments/
↑ https://library.carleton.ca/guides/help/choosing-essay-topic
↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/writing_in_literature/writing_in_literature_detailed_discussion/conducting_research.html
↑ https://advice.writing.utoronto.ca/researching/notes-from-research/
↑ https://libguides.rio.edu/c.php?g=620382&p=4320145
↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/brainstorming/
↑ https://examples.yourdictionary.com/20-compelling-hook-examples-for-essays.html
↑ https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-informative-essays.html
↑ https://wts.indiana.edu/writing-guides/paragraphs-and-topic-sentences.html
↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/paragraphs/
↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/revising-drafts/
↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/

About This Article

To write an informative essay, start with an introduction that presents a thesis statement articulating your argument in 2-3 concise sentences. For the body of the essay, focus on one main idea per paragraph and start each paragraph with a topic sentence that establishes that main idea. Then, follow the topic sentence with cited evidence and explanatory detail. Finish up with a conclusion that summarizes your main points and restates your thesis. Don't forget to proofread carefully before turning in your essay! For helpful tips on researching and using good sources, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Britney Montgomery

Dec 8, 2016

Did this article help you?

David Lewis

Nov 27, 2016

Heather Young

Oct 19, 2016

Colleen Borgese

Feb 27, 2017

Feb 28, 2017

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Do Not Sell or Share My Info
Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Develop the tech skills you need for work and life

Essay Guides
Main Academic Essays
How to Write an Informative Essay: Definition, Structure, Steps & Examples
Speech Topics
Basics of Essay Writing
Essay Topics
Other Essays
Research Paper Topics
Basics of Research Paper Writing
Miscellaneous
Chicago/ Turabian
Data & Statistics
Methodology
Admission Writing Tips
Admission Advice
Other Guides
Student Life
Studying Tips
Understanding Plagiarism
Academic Writing Tips
Basics of Dissertation & Thesis Writing

Research Paper Guides
Formatting Guides
Basics of Research Process
Admission Guides
Dissertation & Thesis Guides

How to Write an Informative Essay: Definition, Structure, Steps & Examples

Table of contents

Use our free Readability checker

An informative essay is a piece of academic writing that provides clear and balanced information about a specific topic. Its main objective is to educate and inform the reader about a subject, rather than to persuade or argue a point of view.

In this article, we will talk about how to write an informative essay and structure it in an organized way. From introduction to conclusion, we will walk you through each step of informational essay format writing. Keep reading and you will find valuable tips from professional essay writing services and informative essay examples along the way.

But before we dig deeper into details, let’s define what an informative essay is.

What Is an Informative Essay: Definition

An informative essay, as the name suggests, is a type of essay intended to enlighten the reader about a particular subject. The primary purpose of an informative essay is to present information in a clear, concise, and well-structured manner. In this type of writing, students shouldn’t express personal opinions or attempt to persuade their audience.

While informative essays and other academic writing styles may share some structural similarities (e.g., introduction, body, and conclusion), their goals and approaches are distinct.

Unlike other popular forms of academic writing, such as argumentative or persuasive essays , informative essays focus solely on presenting factual information. They do not seek to persuade readers to adopt a particular viewpoint, nor do they provide an analysis, like analytical essays do.

Many students also confuse it with an expository essay . However, unlike expository writing, informational essays do not explore a topic so extensively. Instead, they just offer relevant information.

Informative essay writing deals largely with suggesting well-researched information to expand someone’s knowledge. Teachers assign it to test how well students can educate on a chosen matter without leaving personal biases or emotional appeals. In this sense, an informative essay is more of an educational than a persuasive tool.

Characteristics of Informative Essays

Informative essays have a few peculiar features that set them apart from other forms of writing. Here are the main ones:

Objective approach to presenting facts
Balanced coverage of information without redundant details
Accurate, factual content
Educational purpose of writing.

Now that you are familiar with the fundamentals, let’s look at how to structure an essay .

Informative Essay Structure

To write informatively, you need to sort things out in a logical order. The structure of an informative essay is typical and comprises 5 paragraphs: an introduction, 3 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Sometimes, you will need to compose more paragraphs if you feel that information you have provided is insufficient.

Let’s take a closer look at each part individually.

Informative Essay Introduction

An informative essay introduction paragraph is a perfect place to capture your reader's attention. It should include such components:

Background information
Thesis statement.

Your opening will start with a compelling "hook" – a staggering statistic, an interesting anecdote, or a provocative question. This is followed by a brief transition to the topic, which provides some context. You may include essential facts, historical background, or why the theme is important. Remember to keep it concise and don’t overdo with details.

Your introductory paragraph should end with a thesis statement. And we will talk about it right below.

>> Read more: How to Write a Hook for an Essay

Informative Essay Thesis Statement

Your thesis statement is arguably the most crucial sentence in your paper. It establishes your ruther direction by framing the main points you will cover. Thesis for an informative essay should be neutral and objective. Here, you should focus on presenting facts rather than asserting an opinion. A thesis statement is brief and usually takes no more than 1-2 sentences.

Informative Essay Body Part

The body part is where you delve into the details of your topic. Here are the things you should cover in each section:

Topic sentence
Supporting details

Each paragraph begins with a topic sentence, which introduces the main point of that section. But this shouldn’t be a bold statement. Integrate supporting details, which may include facts, statistics, examples, or explanations that elaborate on the topic sentence. Use transition words for essay to build links between your sentences.

Every paragraph should stick to one main idea and shouldn't change the subject. Additionally, your body part should systematically address the key point mentioned in your thesis statement. For instance, if you are talking solely about the origin of art, you can’t suddenly change the direction and discuss its use in modern society.

>> Learn more: How to Write a Body Paragraph

Informative Essay Conclusion

The conclusion of an informative essay serves to bring about the key points presented in your paper. This is the last paragraph and it should bring a sense of closure. Keep in mind this structure:

Rewritten thesis statement
Succinct summary
Prediction or implication.

While an informative essay doesn't typically require a call-to-action, you might end with a thought-provoking question or a relevant implication for further consideration.

How to Write an Informative Essay Step-by-Step?

At this point, you should be equipped with all necessary knowledge, and we finally can discuss how to write an informative essay. This guide will walk you through each phase of your essay writing process .

In the steps below, you'll learn how to select a captivating topic, retrieve necessary information and weave those facts into your paper. From penning a powerful thesis statement to rounding it all off with a succinct conclusion, we will cover each essential stage. Without further ado, let’s see how to write an informational essay together!

1. Choose a Proper Topic

Choosing a topic is a critical first step in writing an informative essay.

Before you pick any title, ensure you understand your assignment and its requirements thoroughly. Only when all instructions are clear, start brainstorming all potential informative essay topics . Remember to include subjects that pique your interest, as writing about something you love can make the process enjoyable.

Once you've got your list, it's time to narrow it down. Select topics that are relevant to your audience and have ample information available for research. Also, consider the scope – it shouldn't be too broad or too narrow. After all, you don’t want to end up writing about a subject that has limited information.

After evaluating based on all criteria described above, select the idea that ticks all the boxes.

2. Conduct Research and Collect Information

The integral part of academic essay writing is a thorough investigation. When you're ready to start gathering facts for your informative essay, the first thing to remember is to truly understand the concept. Look it up online and read a few general articles to get a handle on the subject.

When it comes to research sources, variety is your friend. Try to explore a mix of resources like books, academic articles, reliable websites, and documentaries. It is better to exclude sources that provide an opinion on the matter (for example, article review , book review or critical analysis ). Pay attention to the date of publishing and avoid outdated sources older than 5 years.

While researching, be critical. Not all information you'll find, especially on the internet, is accurate or reliable. Check the author's credentials and the source's reputation. Always aim for information from authoritative and trustworthy sources.

3. Write Down Crucial Facts

As you carry out your research, remember to take notes. There are 2 things you should keep in mind at this stage:

Important facts Write down key points, interesting facts, or quotes that you think will support your essay. Organize them based on the main points of your essay. This will make the writing process smoother.
Source referencing details When it's time to reference sources in your informative essay, you'll need accurate information about where you found your data. It's much easier to do this as you go along, rather than trying to find it again later.

Now let’s figure out how to write a thesis statement for an informative essay.

4. Prepare a Thesis Statement

Writing a thesis statement for an informative essay is like drawing a map for your reader. Usually, it’s a 1-2 sentences statement that highlights the major focus of your paper. This is your opportunity to tell your audience exactly what information you will be presenting.

Avoid being vague or overly general. For instance, if your essay is about the impacts of climate change on agriculture, your thesis statement could be:

As you can see, this statement is informative, but neutral. In this case, a college essay writer isn’t trying to take any particular stance on climate change. Instead, they are just saying that climate change affects agriculture. Let’s consider another example of a thesis statement for informative essay on the history of the Internet:

5. Build an Outline

By having a clear plan of action, you will be able to write an informative essay without taking unexpected turns. Much like a compass, an outline serves as a vital tool during the writing process helping students to stay on track.

In most cases, instructions may not explicitly require the preparation of an outline. However, we still suggest that you create a basic plan listing the main ideas of each section. By having a layout, students can easily refer to it whenever they veer off topic. This ensures that your thoughts remain aligned with the central theme of your writing.

6. Write the First Draft

Writing an informative essay is all about breaking down complex information into digestible chunks of information. There are 2 ways to go about creating an informative essay:

Start writing a polished version right after building a plan.
Compose a rough draft and revise it later.

You may think that skipping the draft will save you time, and opt for the first way. We highly recommend preparing a draft instead. This way, you'll see your thoughts on paper and be able to rearrange them if needed. Ultimately, it takes less time and allows you to craft a well-organized paper.

Your draft shouldn’t be perfect. It's a starting point that you'll polish later. At this stage, just focus on transforming your ideas and research into a structured form. You can try essay typer free right now instead of doing the task yourself.

How to Write an Informative Essay Introduction?

Next, let’s explore how to start an informative essay in an engaging manner. Our professionals shared some valuable tips on composing a truly effective opening paragraph.

Your task in the introduction for informative essay is to get your readers interested and present them with a preview of what's to come.

To begin, create a hook. This could be a striking fact or an intriguing question. Another nice option is adding a simile or metaphor. The purpose of the hook is to entice your readers right from the beginning. For instance, if you're writing about recycling, your hook could be something like this:

Your next move is to prepare your audience for the major point of your informative writing. This is where you need to contextualize your subject matter. You can briefly touch on its history, why it's relevant, or its implications. Using our recycling example, you might mention when the concept of recycling was introduced and its significance in environmental conservation.

Finally, finish your informative essay introduction paragraph with your thesis statement. Simply state what you will talk about in your piece. Using the recycling topic, your thesis might be:

Let’s see how to put all these guidelines into practice.

Informative Essay Introduction Example

>> Learn more: How to Start an Introduction for an Essay

How to Write an Informative Essay Body Paragraphs?

A body section is where you demonstrate all your research and provide your readers with the information you've promised in your thesis statement. Generally, you will need to come up with 3 distinct points and cover them in each body paragraph. You can extend your paper to more paragraphs if there is a lot to say about your subject.

As a rule, the body paragraphs of an informative essay should include these parts:

The main aspect – your topic sentence
Supporting details – your research and facts
A closing line that wraps up your point or smoothly transitions to the next paragraph.

Always make sure your information is clear and your points are well organized. You want your reader to easily follow your line of thought. Use simple, straightforward language to explain complex ideas or concepts.

Informative Essay Body Paragraph Example

How to Write a Conclusion for an Informative Essay?

We are approaching the finish line and it’s time to learn how to end an informative essay and make it memorable.

A useful approach is to round out your critical points. But avoid simply repeating them. Aim to synthesize information, showing your reader how the pieces fit together to build a clear picture.

Then, revisit your thesis statement. Has your essay successfully conveyed the information you intended? If so, rephrase your thesis statement in a way that shows its significance.

Finally, close out your essay with a statement that leaves your reader with something to think about. It is a good idea to finish your informative essay with an implication, forecast or a final thought.

Example of an Informative Essay Conclusion Paragraph

7. Revise and Edit

When you're satisfied with the organization and content of your essay, it's time to add the final touches. Essay revision is a crucial step in the writing process since it helps ensure that you've created an informative and accurate piece of work.

To make sure that your informational essay is error-free, read through the text several times and pay attention to spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Make sure you’ve applied the right style, and that citations are properly formatted. Also, check if your sources are credible and are correctly referenced in your paper.

Informative Essay Format

It is time to say several words about the format of an informative essay. Most instructions will have this point among the rest, so do not overlook these requirements. When formatting your writing, you will deal with 2 essential aspects:

Direct/indirect in-text citations inserted in the body text
List of references, which appears at the end of the informative essay after the concluding paragraph.

The format of each citation varies depending on the paper style you are using. Most likely you will apply one of these popular formats:

APA style format
Chicago style .

Informative Essay Examples

One more thing that a student might lack after reading the article is a decent informative essay example. Fortunately, we have rendered some good sample informative essay examples that you may use as a template.

Informative Essay Writing Checklist

As a writer, your role is much like that of a tour guide, leading your readers through the landscape of your chosen subject. Your ultimate goal is to ensure your audience finishes the tour more knowledgeable than when they started. Use this handy checklist and tips on how to write a good informative essay to compose your own piece.

checkbox I gathered sufficient information about my subject from reliable sources.
checkbox I brainstormed and organized my thoughts in an outline.
checkbox My informative essay is written following the structure I've set up.
checkbox The introductory paragraph contains background information and ends with a thesis statement.
checkbox I did fact-checking to offer accurate details.
checkbox My essay educates the audience and doesn’t try to persuade or support any viewpoint.
checkbox I cited all sources and formatted quotations properly.

Bottom Line on How to Write an Informative Essay

Now that you have a full grasp of how to write an informative essay, all that's left to do is sit down and start creating your own paper. Remember to be unbiased and carefully plan each section. Above all, strive to enlighten your readers with valuable insights, helping them sharpen their knowledge.

Our professional team of experienced writers is here to assist you with your essays, ensuring high-quality and timely submissions. Take the stress out of essay writing and get straight As effort-free. Order essays online now for personalized assistance!

FAQ About Informative Essays

1. what is the main purpose in writing an informative essay.

The main purpose of writing an informative essay is to educate and provide information. Writer's task is to present facts, details, and explanations about a subject without convincing the audience.

2. How to start an informative essay?

To start an informative essay, you can begin with an attention-grabbing introduction that creates context and engages the reader's interest. You can use a relevant anecdote or a shocking fact to make your opening section intriguing. Then, introduce your topic and provide a brief thesis statement communicating your main focus.

3. How many paragraphs are there in an informative essay?

The number of paragraphs in an informative essay can vary depending on the essay length and its complexity. However, a typical informative essay includes 5 paragraphs. You can always adjust the number of sections based on how much you want to tell.

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.

Have a language expert improve your writing

Check your paper for plagiarism in 10 minutes, generate your apa citations for free.

Knowledge Base
College essay

How to Write a Great College Essay Introduction | Examples

Published on October 4, 2021 by Meredith Testa . Revised on August 14, 2023 by Kirsten Courault.

Admissions officers read thousands of essays each application season, and they may devote as little as five minutes to reviewing a student’s entire application. That means it’s critical to have a well-structured essay with a compelling introduction. As you write and revise your essay , look for opportunities to make your introduction more engaging.

There’s one golden rule for a great introduction: don’t give too much away . Your reader shouldn’t be able to guess the entire trajectory of the essay after reading the first sentence. A striking or unexpected opening captures the reader’s attention, raises questions, and makes them want to keep reading to the end .

Start with a surprise, start with a vivid, specific image, avoid clichés, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about college application essays.

A great introduction often has an element of mystery. Consider the following opening statement.

This opener is unexpected, even bizarre—what could this student be getting at? How can you be bad at breathing?

The student goes on to describe her experience with asthma and how it has affected her life. It’s not a strange topic, but the introduction is certainly intriguing. This sentence keeps the admissions officer reading, giving the student more of an opportunity to keep their attention and make her point.

In a sea of essays with standard openings such as “One life-changing experience for me was …” or “I overcame an obstacle when …,” this introduction stands out. The student could have used either of those more generic introductions, but neither would have been as successful.

This type of introduction is a true “hook”—it’s highly attention-grabbing, and the reader has to keep reading to understand.

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

If your topic doesn’t lend itself to such a surprising opener, you can also start with a vivid, specific description.

Many essays focus on a particular experience, and describing one moment from that experience can draw the reader in. You could focus on small details of what you could see and feel, or drop the reader right into the middle of the story with dialogue or action.

Some students choose to write more broadly about themselves and use some sort of object or metaphor as the focus. If that’s the type of essay you’d like to write, you can describe that object in vivid detail, encouraging the reader to imagine it.

Cliché essay introductions express ideas that are stereotypical or generally thought of as conventional wisdom. Ideas like “My family made me who I am today” or “I accomplished my goals through hard work and determination” may genuinely reflect your life experience, but they aren’t unique or particularly insightful.

Unoriginal essay introductions are easily forgotten and don’t demonstrate a high level of creative thinking. A college essay is intended to give insight into the personality and background of an applicant, so a standard, one-size-fits-all introduction may lead admissions officers to think they are dealing with a standard, unremarkable applicant.

Quotes can often fall into the category of cliché essay openers. There are some circumstances in which using a quote might make sense—for example, you could quote an important piece of advice or insight from someone important in your life. But for most essays, quotes aren’t necessary, and they may make your essay seem uninspired.

If you want to know more about academic writing , effective communication , or parts of speech , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Academic writing

Writing process
Transition words
Passive voice
Paraphrasing

Communication

How to end an email
Ms, mrs, miss
How to start an email
I hope this email finds you well
Hope you are doing well

Parts of speech

Personal pronouns
Conjunctions

The introduction of your college essay is the first thing admissions officers will read and therefore your most important opportunity to stand out. An excellent introduction will keep admissions officers reading, allowing you to tell them what you want them to know.

The key to a strong college essay introduction is not to give too much away. Try to start with a surprising statement or image that raises questions and compels the reader to find out more.

Cliché openers in a college essay introduction are usually general and applicable to many students and situations. Most successful introductions are specific: they only work for the unique essay that follows.

In most cases, quoting other people isn’t a good way to start your college essay . Admissions officers want to hear your thoughts about yourself, and quotes often don’t achieve that. Unless a quote truly adds something important to your essay that it otherwise wouldn’t have, you probably shouldn’t include it.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Testa, M. (2023, August 14). How to Write a Great College Essay Introduction | Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved July 4, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/college-essay/introduction-college-essay/

Is this article helpful?

Meredith Testa

Other students also liked, college essay format & structure | example outlines, how to end a college admissions essay | 4 winning strategies, what do colleges look for in an essay | examples & tips, "i thought ai proofreading was useless but..".

I've been using Scribbr for years now and I know it's a service that won't disappoint. It does a good job spotting mistakes”

How to Write an Informative Essay?

09 May, 2020

15 minutes read

Author: Tomas White

The bad news is that if you're anything like the majority of students, you're overwhelmed with all kinds of essays your teachers ask you to create. It feels as if they multiply day on day. However, the good news is that here, at HandMade Writing blog, you can find all the answers on how to craft a decent informative essay in no time. So, without further ado, let's dive into the essence of the issue together!

What is an Informative Essay?

An informative essay is a piece of writing that seeks to inform or explain a subject or topic to educate the reader. When writing an informative essay consider the audience and correspond to their level. Do not over-explain to experts where knowledge can be assumed or under-explain to novices that lack basic understating.

There are in four main categories:

To define a term
To compare and contrast a subject
To analyze data
To provide a how-to guide on a subject

An informative paper should be written in an objective tone and avoid the use of the first person.

You may order an informative essay written from scratch at our professional essay writing service – our essay writers are available 24/7.

What is the Purpose of an Informative Essay?

The purpose of an informative essay is to educate the reader by giving them in-depth information and a clear explanation of a subject. Informative writing should bombard the reader with information and facts that surround an issue. If your reader comes away feeling educated and full of facts about a subject than you have succeeded.

Examples of informative writing are pamphlets, leaflets, brochures, and textbooks. Primarily texts that are used to inform in a neutral manner.

What is the Difference Between an Informative Essay and Expository Essay?

An expository essay and an informative essay are incredibly similar and often confused. A lot of writers class them as the same type of essay. The difference between them is often hazy and contradictory depending on the author’s definition.

In both essays, your purpose is to explain and educate. An expository essay is here to define a single side of an argument or the issue. It’s the first step to writing an argumentative essay through taking the argument on the next level. Informative essays are less complicated. They are just about the information. Such essays generally require less research on a topic, but it all depends on the assignment level and subject. The difference between the two essay types is so subtle that they are almost interchangeable.

How to Plan an Informative Essay Outline

Your plan for an informative essay outline should include:

Choosing a topic
Conducting research
Building a thesis statement
Planning the structure of introduction
Choosing the topic of a body paragraph
Forming a satisfying conclusion

By following the list above, you will have a great outline for your informational writing.

Related Post: How to write an Essay outline

How to Choose an Informative Essay Topic

One of the most difficult tasks when writing is coming up with a topic. Here is some general advice when you are choosing a topic for your essay:

Choose a topic that you are interested in. Your interest in writing on the subject will make the essay more engaging.
Choose a theme that you know a little about. This way you will be able to find sources and fact easier.
Choose a topic that can explain something new or in a different way.
Choose a topic that you can support with facts, statistics, and
Choose a topic that is relevant to the subject.
Remember the four types of categories information essays cover.

Inspiration and Research for Your Ultimate Topic

Your perfect informative essay title can come from numerous sources. Here is where you can potentially seek for relevant topics:

Not only will they inspire you, but they will also provide with some of the research you need.

Researching an Informative Essay

The best sources should be objective. Some excellent sources for an informative essay include:

Always remember to check if the source of information will have a bias. For example, a newspaper journalist may have a political leaning, and their article might reflect that. A charities site for motor neuron disease may also come as biased. Analyze the source for the writer’s agenda.

Informational research should answer the five W’s (who, what, where, why and how), and these will form the majority of your essay’s plan. So, if I were writing about the different types of pollution I’d research what kinds of pollution there are, who and how they affect, why they happen, and where they are most likely to occur.

Collating and organizing this information will form your thesis statement and paragraph layout.

Still struggling to find a topic for your informational writing? Then, here are some ideas to that might inspire you.

Examples of Informative Essay Topics for College Students

How to avoid stress
What ecological problems are we faced with today?
What are the effects of obesity?
What is cyberbullying?
How has the internet changed the world?
How to adjust to college life
Where to find the best part-time jobs
How to get along with your room-mate
Guidance on how to write a college application
How caffeine affects studying

Examples of Informative Essay Topics for High School

How to start your own vegetable garden
The reason for and effects of childhood obesity
Outline the consequences of texting and driving
How to make your favorite food
What is climate change? And what are its effects?
The different types of pollution
The history of the Titanic.
An essay on the Great Depression
The life and times of Ernst Hemmingway
How to have a great vacation

Related Posts: Argumentative essay topics | Research paper topics

Informative Essay Example

When you have finished planning and research, you have to start writing. But, how do you start an informative essay? The simple answer is to just go with it. Do not get overly critical. Just pour out all the information you have. You can shape it up later.

Important points to consider are: never use first person pronouns and keep the topic objective not subjective . Remember, your purpose is to educate the reader in the most thorough way possible by explaining a topic with statistics and facts.

As usual, the essay should include an introduction, main body, and conclusion. All information should be presented in a clear and easy to understand manner. The flow of information should be signposted. We will delve into these areas in more detail now.

Related Post: How to Write a Narrative essay

How to Write an Introduction for an Informative Essay?

An introductory paragraph of an informative essay should comprise of the following things:

A Hook to Ensnare the Reader

An introductory paragraph for informative writing should start with a hook. A hook needs to be in the first sentence and something that will ‘wow’ the reader and impel them to read on. Alarming statistics on the subject/topic make up great hooks for informative essays. For example, if you were writing an essay on cyber-bullying, citing the number of children who have considered suicide due to cyberbullying could be a powerful opening message.

A Thesis Statements for Direction

All introductions should include a thesis statement. The best practice is to place it at the end of the introductory paragraph to summarize your argument. However, you do not want to form an argument or state a position. It is best to use the thesis statement to clarify what subject you are discussing.

Related Post: What is a thesis statement

It may also be better to place the statement after the hook, as it will clarify the issue that you are discussing.

For example, ‘Research conducted by Bob the Scientist indicates that the majority of issues caused by cyberbullying can be overcome through the informative literature on the subject to educate bullies about the consequences of their actions.’

How to Write the Body of an Informative Essay

When writing the body of an informative paper, it is best to break the paragraph down into four distinct steps.

The Claim or Statement

The claim or statement is a single, simple sentence that introduces the main topic of the paragraph. It can be narrow or broad depending on the level and depth of the essay. Think of this as the ‘what’ aspect. For example, the claim for a high-school informative paper would be broader than a claim written at the university level. This is the first step to signposting your essay. It provides a logical and easy way to follow a discussion.

The Supporting Evidence

After making a claim you want to back it up with supporting evidence. Supporting evidence could be findings from a survey, the results of an experiment, documented casual effects or a quote. Anything that lends support to the claim or statement in the first sentence would work. This is the ‘why’ aspect of your research. By using supporting evidence like this, you are defining why the statement is essential to the topic.

Explanation

After you state the supporting evidence, you want to explain ‘how’ this finding is important to the subject at hand. That usually unpacks the supporting evidence and makes it easier for the reader to understand. So, an explanation is to explain how this claim and the supporting research affects your thesis statement.

Concluding Sentence

You should always finish a body paragraph with a concluding sentence that ties up the paragraph nicely and prompts the reader on to the next stage. This is a signpost that the topic and the paragraph are wrapped up.

How to Write the Conclusion of an Informative Essay

Writing a conclusion to an informative paper can be hard as there is no argument to conclude – there is only information to summarize. A good conclusion for these types of essays should support the information provided on the subject. It should also explain why these topics are important.

Here are some Tips on writing informative essay conclusions:

Rephrase Your Thesis Statement

It is vital that you rephrase the thesis and not copy it word for word. That will allow you restate the theme or key point of your essay in a new way. You will simultaneously tie your conclusion back to the introduction of your essay. Echoing your introduction will bring the essay full circle.

Read Through Your Body Paragraphs

Read through the body paragraphs of your essay and ask if a brief overview of the main points of the essay would form a good conclusion for the essay. Generally, it is best to restate the main points of the essay in a conclusion using different words.

Finish the Conclusion With a Clincher

A clincher gives your concluding paragraph a powerful finish. It is a sentence that leaves the reader thinking about your essay long after they have put it down.

Some excellent examples of clinchers are:

A statement of truth
A thought-provoking quote relevant to the subject and thesis statement
A lingering question that none of the research has answered or puts the research into a new light
Whether it provides an answer to a common question
Challenge your reader with a quote from an expert that forces them to think about or change their own behavior
Something that shifts the focus onto the future and the long-time implications of your research

Context and Significance of the Information

A conclusion should always try to frame why the topic was important, and in what context it was important. By doing this your research matters.

Remember: A concluding paragraph should never include new information.

Informative Essay Sample

Be sure to check the sample essay, completed by our writers. Use it as an example to write your own informative paper. Link: Tesla motors

Tips for Writing an Excellent Informative Essay

Here are a few tips for writing an informative paper

When writing the main body paragraph, concentrate on explaining information only once. Avoid repeating the same information in the next section.
Focus on the subject. Make sure all the information that you include is relevant to the topic you are describing. Do not include information that “goes off.”
Write in a logical way that is signposted. Writing like this will make an essay flow and mean it is easier to understand.
Always revise the essay at least three times. This way, you will find where to expand ideas in the paragraph, where to trim back ideas until everything has the right balance.
Be familiar with the academic reference style you are writing in
Write to your audience. Make sure you know who you are writing it for.

A life lesson in Romeo and Juliet taught by death

Due to human nature, we draw conclusions only when life gives us a lesson since the experience of others is not so effective and powerful. Therefore, when analyzing and sorting out common problems we face, we may trace a parallel with well-known book characters or real historical figures. Moreover, we often compare our situations with […]

Ethical Research Paper Topics

Writing a research paper on ethics is not an easy task, especially if you do not possess excellent writing skills and do not like to contemplate controversial questions. But an ethics course is obligatory in all higher education institutions, and students have to look for a way out and be creative. When you find an […]

Art Research Paper Topics

Students obtaining degrees in fine art and art & design programs most commonly need to write a paper on art topics. However, this subject is becoming more popular in educational institutions for expanding students’ horizons. Thus, both groups of receivers of education: those who are into arts and those who only get acquainted with art […]

Writing an Informative Essay

Informative essays engage readers with new, interesting, and often surprising facts and details about a subject. Informative essays are educational; readers expect to learn something new from them. In fact, much of the reading and writing done in college and the workplace is informative. From textbooks to reports to tutorials like this one, informative writing imparts important and useful information about a topic.

This tutorial refers to the sample informative outline and final essay written by fictional student Paige Turner.

Reasons to Write Informatively

Your purpose for writing and the audience for whom you are writing will impact the depth and breadth of information you provide, but all informative writing aims to present a subject without opinions or bias. Some common reasons to write informatively are to

report findings that an audience would find interesting,
present facts that an audience would find useful, and
communicate information about a person, place, event, issue, or change that would improve an audience’s understanding.

Characteristics of Informative Essays

Informative essays present factual information and do not attempt to sway readers’ opinions about it. Other types of academic and workplace writing do try to influence readers’ opinions:

Expository essays aim to expose a truth about an issue in order to influence how readers view the issue.
Persuasive essays aim to influence readers’ opinions, so they will adopt a particular position or take a certain course of action.

Expository and persuasive essays make “arguments.” The only argument an informative essay makes is that something exists, did exist, is happening, or has happened, and the point of the essay is not to convince readers of this but to tell them about it.

Informative essays seek to enlighten and educate readers, so they can make their own educated opinions and decisions about what to think and how to act.

Strategies for Writing Informatively

Informative essays provide useful information such as facts, examples, and evidence from research in order to help readers understand a topic or see it more clearly. While informative writing does not aim to appeal emotionally to readers in order to change their opinions or behaviors, informative writing should still be engaging to read. Factual information is not necessarily dry or boring. Sometimes facts can be more alarming than fiction!

Writers use various strategies to engage and educate readers. Some strategies include

introducing the topic with an alarming fact or arresting image;
asserting what is true or so about the subject in a clear thesis statement;
organizing the paragraphs logically by grouping related information;
unifying each paragraph with a topic sentence and controlling idea;
developing cohesive paragraphs with transition sentences;
using precise language and terminology appropriate for the topic, purpose, and audience; and
concluding with a final idea or example that captures the essay’s purpose and leaves a lasting impression.

Five Steps for Getting Started

1. Brainstorm and choose a topic.

Sample topic : The opioid epidemic in the United States.
The opiod epidemic or even opiod addiction would would be considered too broad for a single essay, so the next steps aim to narrow this topic down.

2. Next, write a question about the topic that you would like to answer through research.

Sample question : What major events caused the opioid crisis in the United States?
This question aims to narrow the topic down to causes of the epidemic in the US.

3. Now go to the Purdue Global Library to find the answers to your research question.

As you begin reading and collecting sources, write down the themes that emerge as common answers. Later, in step four, use the most common answers (or the ones you are most interested in writing and discussing) to construct a thesis statement.

Sample answers: aggressive marketing, loopholes in prescription drug provider programs, and economic downturn.

4. Next, provide purpose to your paper by creating a thesis statement.

The thesis attempts to frame your research question. The sample thesis below incorporates three of the more common answers for the research question from step two: What caused the opioid crisis in the United States?

Thesis Statement : Aggressive marketing, loopholes in prescription drug provider programs, and economic downturn contributed to the current opioid crisis in the United States.
Writing Tip : For additional help with thesis statements, please visit our Writing a Thesis Statement article. For help with writing in 3rd person, see our article on Formal Vs. Informal Writing .

5. Now follow each numbered step in the “Suggested Outline Format and Sample” below.

Sample answers have been provided for “I. Introduction” and “II. First Cause.” A complete sample outline can be seen here. A complete sample informative essay can be seen here.

Suggested Outline Format and Sample

I. INTRODUCTION

A. First provide a topic sentence that introduces the main topic: Sample topic sentence : There is a current prescription pain medication addiction and abuse epidemic possibly caused by an excessive over prescription of these medications.

B. Now provide a couple sentences with evidence to support the main topic: Sample sentence one with evidence to support the main topic : According to Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), in testimony before the 115th Congress, “In 2016, over 11 million Americans misused prescription opioids … and 2.1 million had an opioid use disorder due to prescription opioids” (Federal Efforts to Combat the Opioid Crisis, 2017, p. 2).

C. Sample sentence two with evidence to support the main topic : Volkow indicated “more than 300,000 Americans have died of an opioid overdose” since 2013 (Federal Efforts to Combat the Opioid Crisis, 2017, p.2).

D. Sample sentence three with evidence to support the main topic : According to Perez-Pena (2017), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 25,000 people in the United States died in 2015 from overdosing on opioids Fentanyl, Oxycodone, and Hydrocodone.

E. Toward the end of the introduction, include your thesis statement written in the 3rd-person point-of-view: Sample thesis statement : Potential solutions to the growing opioid epidemic may be illuminated by examining how opioid addiction is triggered through aggressive pharmaceutical marketing, how opioid addiction manifests among prescribed patients, and how economic downturns play a role in the increase of opioid addiction.

F. Write down the library sources you can use in this introductory paragraph to help support the main topic.

Federal Efforts to Combat the Opioid Crisis, 2017
Perez-Pena, 2017
Writing Tip : For more help writing an introduction, please refer to this article on introductions and conclusions .

II. FIRST CAUSE

A. First provide a topic sentence that introduces the first cause of the opioid epidemic: Sample topic sentence that introduces the first cause : One issue that helped contribute to the opioid epidemic is aggressive marketing by pharmaceutical manufacturers.

B. Now provide sentences with evidence to support the first cause: Sample sentence one with evidence that supports the first cause : Perez-Pena (2017) concluded that while the healthcare industry was attempting to effectively and efficiently treat patients with chronic pain, pharmaceutical companies were providing funding to prominent doctors, medical societies, and patient advocacy groups in order to win support for a particular drug’s adoption and usage.

C. Sample sentence two with evidence to support the first cause : In fact, pharmaceutical companies continue to spend millions on promotional activities and materials that deny or trivialize any risks of opioid use while at the same time overstating each drug’s benefit (Perez-Pina, 2017).

D. Next, add more information or provide concluding or transitional sentences that foreshadows the upcoming second cause: Sample concluding and transitional sentence that foreshadow the second cause : Although aggressive marketing by pharmaceutical companies played a large role in opioid addiction, patients are to blame too, as many take advantage of holes in the healthcare provider system in order to remedy their addiction.

E. Write down the library sources you can use in this body paragraph to help support the first cause:

Writing Tip : For more assistance working with sources, please visit the Using Sources page here.

III. SECOND CAUSE

A. First provide a topic sentence that introduces the second cause.

B. Now provide sentences with evidence to support the second cause.

C. Next, add more information or provide concluding or transitional sentences that foreshadows the upcoming third cause.

D. Write down the library sources you can use in this body paragraph to help support the second cause:

Writing Tip : Listen to Writing Powerful Sentences for information and features of effective writing.

IV. THIRD CAUSE

A. First provide a topic sentence that introduces the third cause.

B. Now provide sentences with evidence to support the third cause.

C. Next, add more information or provide a concluding sentence or two.

D. Write down the library sources you can use in this body paragraph to help support the third cause:

V. CONCLUSION: Summary of key points and evidence discussed.

Writing Tip : For more help writing a conclusion, refer to this podcast on endings .
Writing Tip : Have a question? Leave a comment below or Purdue Global students, click here to access the Purdue Global Writing Center tutoring platform and available staff.
Writing Tip : Ready to have someone look at your paper? Purdue Global students, click here to submit your assignment for feedback through our video paper review service.

See a Sample Informative Essay Outline here .

See a sample informative essay here., share this:.

Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
Click to print (Opens in new window)

2 Responses

Pingbacks 0

dang bro i got an A

Having faith with all this mentioned, that i will pass my english class at a college. Thank you for posting.

Follow Blog via Email

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive email notifications of new posts.

Email Address

RSS - Posts
RSS - Comments
COLLEGE WRITING
USING SOURCES & APA STYLE
EFFECTIVE WRITING PODCASTS
LEARNING FOR SUCCESS
PLAGIARISM INFORMATION
FACULTY RESOURCES
Student Webinar Calendar
Academic Success Center
Writing Center
About the ASC Tutors
DIVERSITY TRAINING
PG Peer Tutors
PG Student Access

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

College Writing
Using Sources & APA Style
Learning for Success
Effective Writing Podcasts
Plagiarism Information
Faculty Resources
Tutor Training

Twitter feed

In order to continue enjoying our site, we ask that you confirm your identity as a human. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

Informative Essay Guide: Topics, Outline, Examples, Tips

When writing an informative essay, you must understand what source of argumentation it stems from. Additionally, you must follow an informative essay format, which has its own peculiarities. You may be familiar with expository essays where the author must investigate and evaluate various evidence. Moreover, the author must provide the argumentation for the stated idea as well.

What Is an Informative Essay?

An informative essay is an academic paper written by high school and college students. This kind of informative writing aims to inform the target audience about a particular object, person, situation, or phenomenon. The purpose is to respond to the main question by explaining the topic in detail. When writing in an informational essay format, imagine the readers do not know anything about the topic in front of them. If possible, use professional terms to explain the topic, but remember to provide meaningful explanations. The definition of informative writing is as follows: The piece must be informative and based on facts. It is not supposed to sway the reader into changing their beliefs or give an opinion.

Informative writing:

based on cold facts, statistics, and scientific evidence;
not supposed to give the author’s opinion. ‍

‍ Example: When writing an informative essay about marketing for the audience of students who have no idea of startups and business, try to express the main idea with the help of special words. Great words to use are brainstorming, A/B testing, target audience, customer research, copywriting, etc. Give professional definitions. In some cases, use specific examples to explain the meaning of words.

Informative Essay Outline

If you don’t know how to write an informative essay outline, don’t worry. It looks much like most of the academic papers. There are three parts in it: an introduction, the body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Also, do not forget to include a list of references at the end of the work. The number of body paragraphs may vary based on your topic, so choose it carefully. In the conclusion of your informational essay, remind the reader of the main idea. Instead of providing a thesis statement in the shape of an argument, you can stress the importance of the issue under consideration. The purpose of an outline for an informative essay is to determine what you are going to talk about and organize your thoughts.

Example: Imagine that the topic of the informative essay is “ The effectiveness of exercising on coping with stress. ”

Your informative essay outline should look like this:

Origin of the problem. This is the main idea of the essay, focusing on the ways exercising helps dealing with stress. Feel free to go into the history of the problem, and in this case, it is especially important to have a thorough introduction. This will let the reader know what is going on and help understand the information you will provide later in the body of the essay.
Process. Write about the ways researchers detect what type of exercises help and why. Describe how exactly does it work.
Benefits. Describe the advantages of regular exercise using examples from real life.

Informative Essay Introduction

In this part of the essay, take the time to introduce the problem you are going to discuss. The introduction should not be very long; however, in some cases, there are exceptions, especially if the problem you are discussing is complex and not well known to the general public. The main objective of this section is to provide a background of the topic, write your thesis, and let the essay smoothly transition into the next part, the body.

Informative Essay Body

Use the body part to inform the target audience about the peculiarities of the topic. You have got three paragraphs that you can use to share some interesting facts with your audience. Go into the little known details, or reflect on common knowledge in a new light to intrigue readers. The three integral elements of each body paragraph you must absolutely have are the claim, supporting evidence, and explanation. The principle here is simple, state something and explain why it is so by backing it up with evidence. Be as detailed in your explanation as you can and remember to stay on point.

Informative Essay Thesis Statement

Decide on the clear message your essay will have. Address reasons why the specific problem is important and how to let your audience know about the issue’s significance. Professionals from different writing services agree that a good informative essay thesis should contain a clear message that you can later prove with evidence. Make it in such a way that you can later easily support it. An example of a good thesis is: “Smoking causes three health problems that lead to gradual health deterioration by the age of 40”. To support this thesis, you will have to list the three health disorders and provide information on how each one of them harms people’s health.

Informative Essay Conclusion

As a rule, in conclusion for informative essay, just like for a descriptive essay , you should summarize everything that was mentioned in the text. Sum up all information in the essay and give a short rundown of what you have talked about. This will help the reader to solidify what they have just read in their mind and link all the pieces of your essay together.

Make sure your conclusion is not far-fetched and does not come “out of nowhere”. Finish your essay by providing a summary of the main points listed in the body of your informative essay. Avoid adding any new information and questions; this may steer your essay off the topic and confuse the reader. Besides, you should have provided all the needed information in the body section of the essay. End your essay in a way that maintains the reader’s interest in the topic you discussed and encourages its further exploration.

Informative Essay Topics

You can find good informative essay examples online on various platforms. In turn, we want to offer you a list of informative essay ideas and topics you can choose from compiled by the writers from our paper writing service .

Social Issues Topics

Here are some topic ideas on social issues:

The negative effects of gambling on one’s personal and social life.
What are the main triggers of eating disorders in humans?
The issue of censorship in modern society, arts, and media.
The key causes resulting in water pollution.
What effects did the global pandemic have on the world and economy?
The importance of education in the 21st century.
The problem of bullying in today’s schools.
Is there a way to prevent and minimize child abuse?
The effects of the environmental degradation.
The main causes and effects of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Educational Topics

Find below ten great topic ideas for inspiration for writing your own informative essay on education:

Higher education in the world’s top universities.
The effects of excessive video game use on students’ academic performances.
Sports as an integral part of an effective educational program.
The role of books in academic research in the 21st century.
The key skills that affect a student’s academic progress.
How does standardized testing negatively affect a student’s overall performance?
Homework during summer vacation.
The role of leadership in the classroom.
The standard grading system should be eliminated.
Summer classes are not as productive as the autumn ones.

Historical Topics

Here are some engaging historical topics for an A-level informative essay:

Discuss the concepts of ethics in terms of the Vietnam War.
The history and roots of slavery in the United States of America.
The key causes of the Civil War.
What cultural impact did native Americans have on our society?
Analysis of the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863.
How did the Declaration of Independence change the course of US history?
The effects of the Civil Rights Movement.
The key controversial points in the 21st-century US foreign policy.
Analysis of the interwar period.
The influence of industrialization on American social movements.

Business Topics

To craft a compelling informative essay on business, feel free to consider the following relevant topic ideas:

The role of consumerism in modern business.
Marketing and branding as the key triggers for sales.
How did e-commerce influence business development in the 21st century?
The effects of demonetization.
What is the role of human resources in today’s business landscape?
Data as the main asset for decision making in business.
Is there such a thing as socio-economic inequality?
Key methods used in economics today.
The influence of COVID-19 on the economic crisis of 2020.
The role of industrial corridors in economy and business.

Religion Topics

Here are a few great ideas for an essay on religion:

What is religion and what role does it play in society?
Common religion dogmas in the modern world.
How do technology and religion coexist in the 21st century?
The influence of religion and church on our personalities.
History and roots of Christianity.
New movements in religion that can be observed today.
What is the role of religion in the political field?
Is there still a place for any confrontation between science and religion?
The role of religion in the workplace.
How did religion and church affect the evolution of humanity?

Tips on Writing an Informative Essay

The most frequent mistake that students make is attempting to write right away, without the proper research and a lack of an informative essay structure plan. Such an attitude is especially unproductive when writing an informative essay since it needs a lot of effort put into the synthesis of information. Therefore, it is best to have a structured plan that you can follow. Having a blueprint of your essay speeds up the writing process. Make sure to follow the plan and deliver the information in the best possible way you can. The audience must learn something new by the end of the piece.

Here is a basic plan you can follow when writing your informative essay:

Brainstorming

Introduction
Body-paragraphs

First of all, you must understand that the topic you choose for your informative essay cannot be too vast or too specific. A good student will always write about an area they have yet to explore. Think of it as an exercise, you are expanding your pool of knowledge, and try to stick to something you care about. Visualize the route you will take with your paper; you may refer to the list of provided topics and see if anything tickles your curiosity.

The most important part is the research. Familiarize yourself with several sources, and save them for later. You will need to refer to them, and perhaps even cite them if your educator wants you to do so. Archiving knowledge will improve the retention of that material and will help during the writing process. Do not limit yourself to only primary sources. Evaluate the secondary ones as well and make sure they are legible and relevant.

How to Write an Informative Essay?

Before you start working on your informative essay outline, remember that the most common way of writing an informative essay is a five-paragraph format. You start off with an introduction, follow with three body paragraphs, and finish with a conclusion. Your intro serves to present the main idea of your article. The three body paragraphs of your article will mainly expand on the thesis statement you have created in your intro. Your conclusion will sum everything up and present the significance of your topic.

How to Write an Informative Essay Introduction?

The introduction to your informative essay should be something that will grab your reader's attention. Include an essay hook, a thesis statement, and a transition sentence (usually the same sentence) to make sure everything moves smoothly.

Let’s take one of our topics as an example - showcasing art on a factual basis. The critical thing is to avoid sentiment. Suppose your theme is based on the context behind the album “Kid A” by Radiohead. To explain it, you would have to delve into the band’s prior history and experience and explain why Kid A turned out the way it did base on interviews and reviews.

An example of an attention grabber: The tunes on the radio head in a different direction nowadays.

An example like that is a bit ridiculous, but it is an extreme example of the job that an essay hook needs to perform. Hopefully, a play on words will make the reader grin in this case.

An example of a thesis statement: To what extent has Kid A’s deviation from the norm been influenced by the band’s prior experiences?

How to Write an Informative Essay Body?

The goal of the body paragraphs is to support the thesis statement with evidence or examples. Continuing with our example:

1st body paragraph - Kid A’s deviance in style

Kid A’s deviance in style
Exhausting touring schedule

2d body paragraph - Exhausting Touring Schedule after “OK Computer” album

Heavy Themes in Artwork
Themes in Music (and why)

3d body paragraph - Lyrical Meaning

Use of sarcasm, irony
Threatening messages delivered very softly

How to Write Informative Essay Conclusion?

The goal of the conclusion is, to sum up, everything that was stated in body paragraphs. Implement your thesis and provide significance. Explain why the topic you chose is valuable, giving it importance in the real world. This step can be very subjective, so that is entirely up to you.

Informative Essay Examples

Is traditional education better than remote learning?

Just a couple of years ago, could you think that you will have to deal with remote learning? In fact, the outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in some dramatic changes in the field of education. Although countries across the globe faced different infection rates, one of the primary anti-COVID measures integrated by global governments was a switch to the remote learning model of education. According to stats, over 1.2 billion children across 186 countries ended up being out of the classroom at the peak of the pandemic. This fact led to a significant rise in e-learning. As a result, billions of students and teachers across the world have experienced remote education. And, according to specialists, the new model of learning has demonstrated a significant improvement in learning outcomes, suggesting that the changes caused by COVID-19 might be here to stay. So, is traditional education still better than remote learning?

Unlike traditional education that implies face-to-face interaction between students and teachers, remote (or distance) learning is a different educational model that implies acquiring knowledge without going to school. At the heart of such learning lies technology. And, while the outbreak of COVID-19 has forced many children to experience this form of education, there are still doubts on whether it can replace traditional schooling.

On the one hand, remote learning saves time and energy for both students and teachers. This schooling method eliminates the necessity to rush from one class to another and enables students to study in a comfortable environment. Therefore, this model is associated with less anxiety and stress.

On the other hand, traditional education offers more motivation. It implies physical interaction of students with their peers, as well as teachers, which results in higher levels of engagement and motivation in the classroom. Whereas remote learning can’t offer that.

Another point for remote learning is flexibility. In this model of schooling, students typically can study at their own pace, without the necessity to stick to a strict schedule. This enables them to fit in time for other things rather than studying. But, while this will offer plenty of benefits for certain groups of students, such as those with health restrictions or part-time students, it can have an opposite effect for the rest. Namely, such flexibility can result in students falling behind the program.

Another advantage of traditional education over remote learning is the lack of technical challenges. Online education brings along a wide range of issues. And while this may not be a problem for most students, who are technology natives, it can imply multiple challenges for teachers and families. To confirm this, the stats indicate that at least one-third of teachers struggle with technology, and only 90% of families in the US have access to the Internet. That is, e-learning is not accessible for everyone.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that studies show that the overall efficiency of traditional and remote schooling is about the same. Thus, in terms of academic outcomes, both educational models can offer benefits. Nevertheless, remote learning does imply more challenges, especially tech-related. What is more, it doesn’t help students develop vital oral and social skills, as it rules out face-to-face interactions. And, since education is not only about gaining knowledge but also about developing social skills, there are quite a few reasons to say that traditional learning is more beneficial. Nevertheless, both methods have positive and negative aspects. Thus, we can conclude that each model can be right or wrong based on specific students’ situations and needs.

Informative writing is assessed on the specific criteria that show the writer’s ability to implement them in their essay. The following is a foundation you need to base the piece on. Run through these questions to make sure that your essay is the best it can be: Does the thesis statement adequately unify all subtopics presented in the essay? Does the introduction engage the reader, and does it explain the forthcoming content? Are there enough details for the reader to understand the subject matter fully? Does the concluding paragraph effectively unify the essay? Does it make a point of the importance of the stated idea?

Informative essays are very tedious by definition. The amount of research that goes into them can seem a little too much to handle. If you feel like you have difficulties completing such a task yourself, we have a team of essay writers at your disposal to help you accomplish it. You can hire a writer to proofread your writing and help you make it perfect or pay for an essay on our website. You can also order a custom essay written from scratch or based on your outline for a very affordable price. Don’t hesitate to ask for essay help and improve your grades now!

Frequently asked questions

She was flawless! first time using a website like this, I've ordered article review and i totally adored it! grammar punctuation, content - everything was on point

This writer is my go to, because whenever I need someone who I can trust my task to - I hire Joy. She wrote almost every paper for me for the last 2 years

Term paper done up to a highest standard, no revisions, perfect communication. 10s across the board!!!!!!!

I send him instructions and that's it. my paper was done 10 hours later, no stupid questions, he nailed it.

Sometimes I wonder if Michael is secretly a professor because he literally knows everything. HE DID SO WELL THAT MY PROF SHOWED MY PAPER AS AN EXAMPLE. unbelievable, many thanks

New Posts to Your Inbox!

Stay in touch

Informative Essay

What is an Informative Essay and How to Write One?

11 min read

Published on: Aug 11, 2021

Last updated on: Jan 31, 2024

Informative Essay Definition

The informative essay can be simply defined as,

"A form of essay writing that aims to educate and inform the reader about a specific topic."

Informative essays can cover a variety of topics. It could be written about a particular thing, event, or natural phenomenon, etc.

This type of essay highlights the objective facts and evidence without reflecting the writer's subjective point-of-view about the topic.

What is the Purpose of an Informative Essay?

An informative essay presents objective and verifiable information about a topic. It relies on factual evidence and reliable sources.

The main goal of writing an informative essay is to;

Inform the reader about something.
Explain a particular subject.
Transmit verified knowledge clearly and concisely.

Types of Informative Essay

There are several types of informative essays, and each type has its own purpose and style. Here are some of the informative essay types that you need to know.

Descriptive Essay

A descriptive essay is an essay that describes something about an event, person, place, or idea in detail. The descriptive essay aims to provide enough information to the readers to visualize or imagine the matter described.

Want to know more about descriptive essays? Check out this descriptive essay writing blog to learn more.

Cause and Effect Essay

The cause and effect essay describes the cause of an event or idea and then explains its effects on todayâs world and people. Also, this type of essay is a common form of organization in academic writing.

However, the cause-and-effect essay requires strong research skills. Without them, your essay will not become a successful piece of writing.

Compare and Contrast Essay

In a compare and contrast essay, the writer discusses the similarities and differences between two or more things. This type of essay also requires strong critical thinking skills.

Therefore, when you start writing the compare and contrast essay , you should identify and analyze the subject from all angles and characteristics.

Process Essay

The process essay is also known as the "How-To" essay. This essay provides information about how a process occurs or about the process of doing something.

Problem-Solution Essay

A problem-solution essay is another common type of informative essay in which you describe a problem and then propose its solution. Its main purpose is to educate the readers on the problem and its significance.

Looking for more information? Visit our problem-solution essay guide and learn to write perfect problem solution essays.

Expository Essay

The expository essay explains, illustrates, or interprets something in a way that becomes easy for the readers. This essay provides a fair analysis of the subject based on facts without the writerâs opinions.

Here is a simple video that explains informative writing:

How to Start an Informative Essay?

Before you can start writing, you have to do some "rewriting." Here are the steps involved in prewriting:

Brainstorm Ideas

Brainstorming is the first step in writing any type of essay. Here, you brainstorm several topic ideas and generate a list of potential topics.

So think about all the possible ideas that are related to your interest and subject. This will help you choose an interesting topic for your essay.

Choose a Topic

Choosing the right topic is essential for writing a great essay. A good topic will not only make your writing process easy but also make the research phase interesting.

So choose a topic you can easily write about and support it with facts, evidence, and statistics. In short, the topic should be interesting and easy to research.

Know Your Target Audience

Your audience determines the style and tone of your essay. Consider who will be reading your essay and what their background, knowledge, and interests might be.

For instance, if you are writing for school children, your language should be simple, easy, and interesting. Meanwhile, writing for a professional audience requires you to use technical terminology and jargon.

So always think about who you are writing for and determine your audience before proceeding.

Do the Research

You have to do some research to gather information for your essay. Make sure the information that you collect is reliable and accurate.

Use a variety of sources for research, including research articles, books, documentaries, etc. You should also take detailed and organized notes to keep track of the information you find, so you can use it later.

Create an Outline

An essay outline helps the writer keep their focus strong and narrow. With the help of an outline, you will easily organize your thoughts and ideas.

So create an outline of your essay to lay out a structure.

Don't know how to make an informative essay outline? Donât worry, read on to find out.

Paper due? Why Suffer? That's our job.

Informative Essay Outline

Crafting a well-structured essay involves planning what points to include and how it all ties together. Creating an outline is the best way to ensure that your work is well-structured.

An informative essay outline is outlined in the following way:

Letâs discuss these outline parts in detail.

Introduction

Start with a captivating hook that grabs the reader's attention. It could be an intriguing fact, a relevant quote, or a thought-provoking question.
State your thesis statement . It is the last part of the introduction that clearly presents the main idea or argument of your essay. It should reflect the informative nature of your essay and guide the reader on what to expect.
Divide the body of your essay into several paragraphs. Each paragraph should focus on one specific aspect or subtopic related to your main thesis.
Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the main point of that paragraph.
Analyze and discuss your supporting evidence. They could be examples, facts, or statistics that provide informative content.

Conclusion

Summarize the main points covered in your essay.
End with a thought-provoking statement, a call to action, or a suggestion for further exploration of the topic.

Here is an example outline template that you can use to write your informative essay outline

Informative Essay Outline Template

Creating an outline is necessary for writing any type of essay. Check out our 10+ essay outline templates and make excellent outlines with ease!

How to Write an Informative Essay?

Once you have done the prewriting, you have got everything you need to start. Following the steps below will help you write a great informative essay.

How to Write an Informative Essay Introduction?

The introduction of an essay sets the tone of the essay and provides an overview of the topic. Here are some key elements you need to include when writing an informative essay introduction:

Attention-Grabber / Hook:

The hook is the first line of the essay that aims to pique the readersâ interest. This can be:

An interesting fact,
A thought-provoking question,
Or a compelling anecdote related to your topic, etc.

The hook should be related to your topic and should be engaging enough to grab the reader's attention.

Struggling to come up with a good hook? These 200+ hook examples will help you craft an excellent hook!

Background Information:

After grabbing the readerâs attention, you have to them to your topic. Discuss some background details on the topic to provide context.

Also, discuss the relevance or importance of the subject matter. This helps the reader understand the significance of the information you're about to present. Moreover, use clear and concise language to provide essential and interesting details to make the reader want to continue reading.

Thesis Statement:

The thesis statement presents the main topic or idea of the essay in a concise and clear way. It provides an overview of what will be covered.

The thesis statement is the last part of the introduction. It should be specific, focused, and encompass the main ideas you'll be discussing in the body of the essay.

How to Write an Informative Essay Body Paragraphs?

The body paragraphs are the major chunk of your essay. They provide all the information about your chosen topic. There should be at least three body paragraphs in your essay, although there can be more depending on your topic.

Here are the key elements of the informative essay body paragraphs:

Topic Sentence

Begin each body paragraph with a clear topic sentence that introduces the main point you will be discussing in that paragraph. It is the first sentence of the paragraph and should be clearly related to the thesis.

Provide Information and Evidence

In an informative essay, information and evidence should be presented clearly and logically. So present the facts, examples, statistics, or quotations that inform the reader about the topic. This information should come from reliable and credible sources.

Discuss and Elaborate

After presenting the evidence, explain and discuss them to ensure a thorough understanding of the information. Clarify any complex terms, concepts, or ideas that may require explanation for understanding the topic effectively.

Use Transitional Phrases:

Use transitional phrases or sentences to connect paragraphs and ideas. This helps maintain a cohesive flow of information throughout the essay.

For instance, transitional words such as "moreover," "furthermore," "on the other hand," or "in addition to" can be used to link ideas logically.

Having a difficult time with smooth transitions? Here’s a list of transition words for essays to help you out!

How to Write an Informative Essay Conclusion?

In an essay conclusion , you wrap up the essay and provide a sense of closure. Writing the informative essay conclusion includes the following steps:

Summarize the Main Points:

Revisit the main points covered in your essay's body paragraphs and provide a concise summary of the information presented. Do not introduce any new information or arguments in the conclusion.

Restate your Thesis Statement

Begin your conclusion by restating your thesis statement in a slightly different way. This helps remind the reader of the main objective of your essay.

Provide a Thought-Provoking Statement:

End your conclusion with a thought-provoking statement, reflection, or question that leaves a strong impression on the reader. This can help inspire them to continue exploring the topic beyond your essay.

Edit and Proofread the Essay

Once you are done with your first draft, take some time to proofread and revise you essay. Check for grammar and spelling, format, logical coherence, and clarity. Remove any repetitive statements or unnecessary details.

Revising your essay will make it even better and more interesting to read.

Informative Essay Examples

Reading some good examples will make writing an informative essay easier for you. Here are a few short informative essay examples that demonstrate how it looks like. Be sure to read them out.

Informative Essay about Stress

Informative Essay on Diabetes

Informative Essay on Netflix

Informative Essay on Tree in Winter

Informative Essay Topics

A good essay topic is a key to a successful essay. Here are a few ideas that will get you inspired:

The Benefits of Regular Exercise
The Importance of Recycling
The Process of Photosynthesis
What was the Big Bang?
The History of the Internet
How did the Dinosaurs go extinct?
The Benefits of Meditation
The Impact of Climate Change on Ecosystems
The Role of Technology in Education

Stuck on choosing your topic? Don’t worry! Check out our list 200 informative essay topics to get inspiration!

To Sum Up,

This guide introduced everything you needed to start writing an informative essay. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently embark on your informative writing journey.

Are you in a race against the deadline and need professional help? Weâve got you covered!

We are a legit essay writing service with professional essay writers. Our team of experts writes high-quality, original, and customized essays tailored to your unique requirements.

Our essay writing service has worked on informative essays and academic papers on various topics, with a high rate of customer satisfaction!

You can also maximize the benefits of our AI writing tool to polish and refine your writing skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should be included in an informative essay.

Here are some points that should be included in an informative essay.

Thesis statement
Strong evidence
Examples

What is the main topic of an informative essay?

The main topic of an informative essay is to educate the readers on a specific topic.

Nova A. (Literature, Marketing)

As a Digital Content Strategist, Nova Allison has eight years of experience in writing both technical and scientific content. With a focus on developing online content plans that engage audiences, Nova strives to write pieces that are not only informative but captivating as well.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That’s our Job!

Keep reading

Legal & Policies

Privacy Policy
Cookies Policy
Terms of Use
Refunds & Cancellations
Our Writers
Success Stories
Our Guarantees
Affiliate Program
Referral Program
AI Essay Writer

Disclaimer: All client orders are completed by our team of highly qualified human writers. The essays and papers provided by us are not to be used for submission but rather as learning models only.

Awesome Guide on How to Write an Essay Introduction

'I'd like to recall the day I nearly burned myself in flames in my automobile while going 250 mph and escaping the police'. – Thankfully, we don't have a story like that to relate to, but we bet we piqued your interest.

That's what we refer to as an efficient hook. Fundamentally, it's an attention-grabbing first sentence that piques an audience's interest and encourages them to keep reading. While writing an essay, a strong hook in essay introductions is essential.

Delve into the article if you're wondering how to start an essay with a strong introduction. This is the ultimate guide for writing the parts of a introduction paragraph from our custom dissertation writing service to engage your readers.

Introduction Definition

The introduction paragraph, to put it simply, is the first section of an essay. Thus, when reading your essay, the reader will notice it right away. What is the goal of an opening paragraph? There are two things that an excellent introduction achieves. It initially informs the reader on the subject of your work; in other words, it should describe the essay's topic and provide some background information for its main point. It must also spark readers' interest and persuade them to read the remainder of your article.

To provide you with essay writing services , we only need your paper requirements to create a plagiarism-free paper on time.

How Long Should an Introduction Be

Typically, there are no strict restrictions on how long an opening paragraph should be. Professional essay writers often shape the size of it with the paper's total length in mind. For instance, if you wonder how to make introduction in essay with five paragraphs, keep your introductory sentence brief and fit it inside a single section. But, if you're writing a longer paper, let's say one that's 40 pages, your introduction could need many paragraphs or even be pages long.

Although there are no specific requirements, seasoned writers advise that your introduction paragraph should account for 8% to 9% of your essay's overall word length.

And, if you place an order on our coursework writing services , we will certainly comply with your introduction length requirements.

What Makes a Good Introduction

All of the following criteria should be fulfilled by a strong opening sentence:

Start your introduction on an essay with a catchy sentence that draws the reader in.
It needs to include baseline information about your subject.
This should give readers a sense of the main argument(s) that your essay will address.
It must include all necessary information on the setting, locations, and chronological events.
By the end of your introduction, make a precise remark that serves as your essay's thesis.

What Are the 3 Parts of an Introduction Paragraph

So, what should be in a introduction paragraph? The introduction format essay has three sections: a hook, connections, and a thesis statement. Let's examine each component in more depth.

Part 1: Essay Hook

A hook is among the most effective parts of a introduction paragraph to start an essay. A strong hook will always engage the reader in only one sentence. In other words, it is a selling point.

Let's now address the query, 'how to make an essay introduction hook interesting?'. Well, to create a powerful hook, you can employ a variety of techniques:

A shocking fact
An anecdote
A short summary

And here is what to avoid when using a hook:

Dictionary definitions
Generalizations
Sweeping statements that include words like 'everywhere,' 'always,' etc.

Once you've established a strong hook, you should give a general outline of your major point and some background information on the subject of your paper. If you're unsure how to write an introduction opening, the ideal approach is to describe your issue briefly before directing readers to particular areas. Simply put, you need to give some context before gradually getting more specific with your opinions.

The 5 Types of Hooks for Writing

Apart from the strategies mentioned above, there are even more types of hooks that can be used:

A Common Misconception — a good trick, to begin with, to claim that something your readers believe in is false.

Example: 'Although many falsely believe that people working from home are less productive – employees who get such work-life benefits generally work harder.'

Statistics — Statistical facts may provide a great hook for argumentative essays and serious subjects focusing on statistics.

Example: 'A recent study showed that people who are satisfied with their work-life balance work 21% harder and are 33% more likely to stay at the same company.'

Personal Story — sometimes, personal stories can be an appropriate hook, but only if they fit into a few brief sentences (for example, in narrative essays).

Example: 'When I had my first work-from-home experience, I suddenly realized the importance of having a good work-life balance; I saw plenty of the benefits it can provide.'

Scenes — this type of hook requires making the readers imagine the things you are writing about. It is most suitable when used in descriptive and narrative essays.

Example: 'Imagine you could have as much free time as you wish by working or studying from home—and spend more time with your loved ones.'

Thesis Statement — when unsure how to do an essay introduction, some writers start directly with their thesis statement. The main trick here is that there is no trick.

Example: 'I strongly believe there is a direct correlation between a healthy work-life balance and productivity in school or at work.'

Part 2: Connections

Give readers a clearer sense of what you will discuss throughout your article once you have given a hook and relevant background information about your essay topic. Briefly mentioning your main points in the same sequence in which you will address them in your body paragraphs can help your readers progressively arrive at your thesis statement.

In this section of your introduction, you should primarily address the following questions:

You may make sure that you are giving your readers all the information they need to understand the subject of your essay by responding to each of these questions in two to three lines. Be careful to make these statements brief and to the point, though.

Your main goal is gradually moving from general to specific facts about your subject or thesis statement. Visualize your introduction as an upside-down triangle to simplify the essay writing process. The attention-grabbing element is at the top of this triangle, followed by a more detailed description of the subject and concluding with a highly precise claim. Here is some quick advice on how to use the 'upside-down triangle' structure to compose an essay introduction:

Ensure that each subsequent line in your introduction is more focused and precise. This simple method will help you progressively introduce the main material of your piece to your audience.
Consider that you are writing a paper on the value of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. In this situation, you may start with a query like, 'Have you ever considered how a healthy work-life balance can affect other areas of your life?' or a similar hook. Next, you could proceed by giving broad factual information. Finally, you could focus your topic on fitting your thesis statement.

Part 3: The Thesis Statement

If you're unsure of the ideal method to create an introduction, you should be particularly attentive to how you phrase your thesis statement.

The thesis of your work is, without a doubt, the most crucial section. Given that the thesis statement of your piece serves as the foundation for the entire essay, it must be presented in the introduction. A thesis statement provides readers with a brief summary of the article's key point. Your main assertion is what you'll be defending or disputing in the body of your essay. An effective thesis statement is often one sentence long, accurate, exact, unambiguous, and focused. Your thesis should often be provided at the end of your introduction.

Here is an example thesis statement for an essay about the value of a proper work-life balance to help you gain a better understanding of what a good thesis should be:

Thesis Statement Example: 'Creating flexible and pleasant work schedules for employees can help them have a better work-life balance while also increasing overall performance.'

Catchy Introductions for Different Essay Types

Although opening paragraphs typically have a fixed form, their language may vary. In terms of academic essays, students are often expected to produce four primary intro to essay examples. They include articles that are analytical, argumentative, personal, and narrative. It is assumed that different information should appear in these beginning paragraphs since the goals of each sort of essay change. A thorough overview of the various paper kinds is provided below, along with some good essay introduction samples from our argumentative essay writers:

Narrative Introduction

The writer of a narrative essay must convey a story in this style of writing. Such essays communicate a story, which distinguishes them from other essay types in a big way.
Such a paper's hook will often be an enticing glimpse into a specific scene that only loosely links to the thesis statement. Additionally, when writing such an essay, a writer should ensure that every claim included in the introduction relates to some important moments that have significantly impacted the story's outcome.
The thesis in narrative writing is usually the theme or main lesson learned from the story.

Narrative introduction example: 'My phone rang, and my mother told me that Dad had suffered a heart attack. I suddenly experienced a sense of being lifted out from under me by this immaculately carpeted flooring. After making it through, Dad left me with a sizable collection of lessons. Here are three principles that I know dad would have wanted me to uphold...'

Still Can't Think of a Perfect Intro?

When assigned to write an essay, students end up with a ton of questions, including 'How to structure an essay?', 'How to choose a good topic?'. Here at EssayPro, we employ only the best essay writers who are committed to students’ success.

Analytical Introduction

Analytical essay introduction format is another popular type. In contrast to a narrative paper, an analytical paper seeks to explore an idea and educate the reader about a topic.
Three important facts that support the analytical premise should be included in the middle section of the introduction.
A well-researched and well-thought-out claim will form a wonderful thesis because the main goal of this paper is to study the topic and educate readers. It's crucial to remember that this assertion shouldn't initially have any real weight. Although it will still be theoretical, it has to be articulated practically.

Analytical introduction example: “... Hence even though presidents, CEOs, and generals still have their daily schedules full of economic crises and military conflicts, on the cosmic scale of history humankind can lift its eyes up and start looking towards new horizons. If we bring famine, plague, and war under control, what will replace them at the top of the human agenda? Like firefighters in a world without fire, so humankind in the twenty-first century needs to ask itself an unprecedented question: what are we going to do with ourselves? What will demand our attention and ingenuity in a healthy, prosperous, and harmonious world? In a healthy, prosperous, and harmonious world, what will demand our attention and ingenuity? This question becomes doubly urgent given the immense new powers that biotechnology and information technology are providing us with. What will we do with all that power? ...” Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, Yuval Noah Harari

Persuasive Introduction

To persuade readers of anything is the sole goal of persuasive essay writing. This may be accomplished using persuasive strategies like ethos, pathos, and logos.
A hook statement for this paper may be anything from a fascinating fact to even comedy. You can use whatever technique you choose. The most crucial advice is to ensure your hook is in line with your thesis and that it can bolster further justifications.
Generally speaking, a persuasive essay must include three supporting facts. Hence, to gradually lead readers to the major topic of your paper, add a quick summary of your three arguments in your introduction.
Last, the thesis statement should be the main claim you will be disputing in this paper. It should be a brief, carefully thought-out, and confident statement of your essay's major argument.

Persuasive introduction example: 'Recycling waste helps to protect the climate. Besides cleaning the environment, it uses waste materials to create valuable items. Recycling initiatives must be running all around the world. ...'

Personal Introduction

The final sort of academic writing that students frequently encounter is a personal essay. In principle, this essay style is creative nonfiction and requires the author to reflect on personal experiences. The goals of such a paper may be to convey a story, discuss the lessons that certain incidents have taught you, etc. This type of writing is unique since it is the most personal.
Whatever topic you choose can serve as the hook for such an essay. A pertinent remark, query, joke, or fact about the primary plot or anything else will be acceptable. The backdrop of your narrative should then be briefly explained after that. Lastly, a thesis statement can describe the impact of particular experiences on you and what you learned.

Personal introduction example: 'My parents always pushed me to excel in school and pursue new interests like playing the saxophone and other instruments. I felt obligated to lead my life in a way that met their standards. Success was always expected on the route they had set out for me. Yet eight years after my parents' separation, this course was diverted when my dad relocated to California...'

Tips for Writing a Winning Introduction Paragraph

You now understand how to do introduction and have specific intro example for essays to help you get going. Let's quickly examine what you should and shouldn't do during the writing process.

Keep the assignment's purpose in mind when you write your introduction, and ensure it complies with your instructor's requirements.
Use a compelling and relevant hook to grab the reader's attention immediately.
Make sure your readers understand your perspective to make it apparent.
If necessary, establish key terms related to your subject.
Show off your expertise on the subject.
Provide a symbolic road map to help readers understand what you discuss throughout the post.
Be brief; it's recommended that your introduction make up no more than 8 to 9 percent of the entire text (for example, 200 words for a 2500 words essay).
Construct a strong thesis statement.
Create some intrigue.
Make sure there is a clear and smooth transition from your introduction to the body of your piece.
If you're looking for a custom writer , request assistance from the EssayPro team. We know how to write a term paper along with many other types of essays.

Don'ts

Provide too much background information.
Use sentences that are off-topic or unnecessary.
Make your opening paragraph excessively long.
Keep some information a secret and reveal it later in conclusion.
Employ overused phrases or generalizations.
Using quotation marks excessively

Now that you know what is in the introduction of an essay, we recommend reading the information on how to critique an article to gain more academic insight.

If you are still struggling with that, keep in mind that you can always send us your request to get professional assistance from our law essay writing service .

Get Help With Your ESSAY INTRO!

Address to our professional writers to get help with your homework.

How To Write An Essay Introduction?

What is the purpose of the introduction in an essay, how to start an essay introduction.

Daniel Parker

is a seasoned educational writer focusing on scholarship guidance, research papers, and various forms of academic essays including reflective and narrative essays. His expertise also extends to detailed case studies. A scholar with a background in English Literature and Education, Daniel’s work on EssayPro blog aims to support students in achieving academic excellence and securing scholarships. His hobbies include reading classic literature and participating in academic forums.

is an expert in nursing and healthcare, with a strong background in history, law, and literature. Holding advanced degrees in nursing and public health, his analytical approach and comprehensive knowledge help students navigate complex topics. On EssayPro blog, Adam provides insightful articles on everything from historical analysis to the intricacies of healthcare policies. In his downtime, he enjoys historical documentaries and volunteering at local clinics.

Essay Papers Writing Online

Master the art of crafting attention-grabbing intros for your essays with these expert tips.

How to write an intro paragraph for an essay

When it comes to writing an essay, one of the most crucial elements that can make or break your piece is the introduction paragraph. This initial portion serves as the launchpad for your entire composition – it sets the tone, captures the attention, and delivers a promise. Crafting a strong intro requires skill, creativity, and a deep understanding of your audience. It’s all about making a memorable first impression, leaving your readers wanting more, and ensuring they stay engaged throughout the rest of your essay.

Setting the stage with compelling language ,

one of the essential techniques for writing a captivating introduction is the use of compelling language. By elegantly blending simplicity with sophistication, you can instantly grab your readers’ attention and entice them to continue reading. Incorporating interesting anecdotes, thought-provoking questions, or powerful quotes into the opening paragraph can offer a glimpse into the core ideas of your essay while leaving a lasting impact. Moreover, carefully choosing descriptive words and employing rhetorical devices can help create an immersive experience, painting a vivid picture in the minds of your audience.

Creating a sense of curiosity and intrigue ,

another effective method for crafting a strong introduction is by piquing the curiosity of your readers. Humans are naturally drawn to mysteries, and by presenting a tantalizing glimpse of the topic or problem you will explore in your essay, you can instantly ignite their interest. Tease your readers with a hint of what’s to come, a juicy secret awaiting to be unraveled, or a surprising fact that challenges conventional wisdom. This sense of intrigue will create a desire within your readers to delve deeper into your essay, to uncover the truths that lie ahead, and to satisfy their intellectual curiosity.

Understanding the Purpose of the Intro Paragraph

The intro paragraph serves as the opening statement of your essay, conveying the main idea and setting the tone for the entire piece. It introduces the topic to the reader and provides a brief overview of what will be discussed. The purpose of the intro paragraph is to grab the reader’s attention, spark their interest, and prepare them for the information that will follow.

In order to achieve its purpose, the intro paragraph should be concise and compelling. It should capture the reader’s attention and make them want to continue reading. It should also provide a clear thesis statement that highlights the main argument or point that will be made in the essay.

One key aspect of the intro paragraph is to establish the context of the topic. This can be done by providing background information, historical context, or relevant facts and statistics. The reader should have a clear understanding of why the topic is important and why they should continue reading.

Another important function of the intro paragraph is to provide a roadmap for the essay. It should outline the main points or arguments that will be discussed in the body paragraphs. This helps the reader understand the structure of the essay and what to expect as they continue reading.

Overall, the intro paragraph serves as a crucial component of any essay. It sets the stage for the rest of the piece and determines whether the reader will be engaged or not. By understanding the purpose of the intro paragraph and crafting it effectively, you can captivate your audience and ensure they are motivated to read your essay in its entirety.

Grabbing the Reader’s Attention with a Hook

Engaging your readers from the very beginning is essential to make your essay stand out and leave a lasting impression. By using a captivating hook in your introduction paragraph, you can effectively grab the reader’s attention and make them want to continue reading.

So, what exactly is a hook? A hook is a compelling and intriguing statement or question that is used at the beginning of your essay to immediately capture the reader’s interest. It serves as a way to draw them in and make them curious about what you have to say.

A strong hook can take different forms. It can be a surprising fact, a thought-provoking quote, a personal anecdote, or a vivid description. The key is to choose a hook that is relevant to your topic and aligns with the tone and style of your essay.

When crafting your hook, it is important to remember that its purpose is to generate curiosity and make the reader want to know more. It should create a sense of anticipation and set the stage for the rest of your essay. By using language that is concise and impactful, you can create a hook that grabs the reader’s attention from the very first sentence.

Additionally, it is important to keep your hook concise and to the point. While you want to capture the reader’s interest, you also want to avoid overwhelming them with too much information right off the bat. A well-crafted hook should be brief yet compelling, leaving the reader wanting to know more about what you have to say.

In conclusion, grabbing the reader’s attention with a hook is an effective way to make your essay more engaging and compelling. By using a statement or question that is intriguing and relevant to your topic, you can draw the reader in and make them eager to continue reading. So, take the time to craft a strong and captivating hook for your essay, and you will be one step closer to creating a memorable piece of writing.

Clearly Stating the Thesis in the Intro Paragraph

One crucial aspect of writing a compelling introduction for an essay is to clearly state the thesis. The thesis, which serves as the main argument or point of the essay, should be clearly and concisely presented in the introduction paragraph to capture the reader’s attention.

Emphasizing the importance of explicitly stating the thesis

Effectively conveying the thesis in the introductory paragraph is essential for establishing the focus and direction of the essay. By clearly stating the thesis upfront, the writer can set the tone for the rest of the paper and guide the reader’s understanding of the main argument.

Illustrating the role of the thesis in guiding the essay

The thesis acts as a roadmap for the essay, providing a clear path for the writer to explore the topic and present their supporting arguments. When the thesis is clearly stated in the introduction, it helps the reader anticipate the content and structure of the essay, making it easier to follow along and engage with the ideas being presented.

Strengthening the impact of the introductory paragraph

A well-crafted introduction with a clearly stated thesis not only grabs the reader’s attention but also establishes the writer’s credibility and expertise in the subject matter. It sets the tone for the entire essay, increasing the chances of the reader continuing to read and engage with the rest of the paper.

Highlighting the need for precision and clarity

When stating the thesis in the introduction paragraph, it is crucial to be precise and concise. The statement should be clear, avoiding vague language or generalizations. By being explicit and specific about the main argument, the writer immediately captures the reader’s interest and makes a strong impression.

In conclusion, clearly stating the thesis in the introduction paragraph is vital to the success of an essay. By emphasizing the importance of the thesis, illustrating its role in guiding the essay, and strengthening the impact of the introductory paragraph, a writer can effectively engage the reader and set the stage for a strong and persuasive essay.

Providing Background Information

One of the key elements for creating a compelling introduction is providing background information. This involves offering context or setting the stage for your essay topic. By providing background information, you can help your readers understand the subject matter more effectively and engage them from the beginning.

In this section, we will explore different techniques and strategies to provide background information in your introduction. These approaches will ensure that your readers have a clear understanding of the topic being discussed and why it is important. By offering relevant background information, you can create a strong foundation for the rest of your essay.

There are several ways to incorporate background information. You can start by offering relevant historical or social context to provide a broad overview of the topic. This approach allows your readers to understand the significance of the subject within a wider context and grasp its relevance.

Another effective way to provide background information is by offering statistical or factual data. By presenting relevant statistics or facts, you can demonstrate the importance and scope of the issue at hand. This can help create a sense of urgency and relevance, capturing the attention of your readers.

Additionally, you can share personal anecdotes or stories that relate to the topic. This approach humanizes the subject matter and allows readers to connect on a more emotional level. By sharing personal experiences or stories, you can engage your readers and make them feel invested in the topic you are discussing.

Overall, providing background information is crucial for creating a strong introduction. It helps set the stage for your essay, establish relevance, and engage your readers from the start. By incorporating historical context, statistical data, or personal anecdotes, you can create a compelling and informative introduction that captivates your audience.

Structuring the Intro Paragraph Effectively

Effective structuring of the introductory paragraph is essential for capturing the reader’s attention and setting the tone for the rest of the essay. The way you organize the information in this paragraph can greatly impact the overall impact and clarity of your writing.

To structure your intro paragraph effectively, it is important to first establish a clear and concise thesis statement. This statement should succinctly summarize the main argument or point of your essay. By presenting a strong thesis, you provide the reader with a roadmap of what to expect in the following paragraphs.

In addition to a strong thesis, it is crucial to include a hook or attention-grabbing statement at the beginning of the intro paragraph. This can be a thought-provoking question, a surprising fact or statistic, or even a relevant anecdote. The purpose of the hook is to engage the reader and compel them to continue reading.

Another important element to consider when structuring your intro paragraph is the use of relevant background information. This can help provide context for your thesis statement and give the reader a better understanding of the topic at hand. Be sure to only include necessary information and avoid overwhelming the reader with excessive details.

Additionally, it is beneficial to outline the main points or arguments that will be discussed in the essay. This preview can help orient the reader and provide them with a sense of direction. By clearly outlining the main points, the reader can easily follow your argument and stay engaged with the content.

Lastly, to effectively structure your intro paragraph, be mindful of the overall flow and coherence of your writing. Transition words and phrases can help connect ideas and guide the reader through your argument seamlessly. These words and phrases include “moreover,” “however,” “in addition,” “furthermore,” and “on the other hand,” among others.

In conclusion, structuring your intro paragraph effectively is crucial for capturing the reader’s attention and setting the tone for the rest of your essay. By incorporating a strong thesis statement, an attention-grabbing hook, relevant background information, and a preview of the main points, you can create a powerful and engaging introduction. Additionally, paying attention to the flow and coherence of your writing can enhance the overall impact of your intro paragraph.

Avoiding Common Mistakes in the Intro Paragraph

When crafting the introductory paragraph of your essay, it is important to avoid certain common mistakes that can weaken the impact and effectiveness of your writing. By understanding and avoiding these pitfalls, you can ensure that your introduction grabs the reader’s attention and sets a strong foundation for the rest of your essay.

Being overly general: One common mistake is starting your introduction with broad statements or generic information that fails to engage the reader. Instead of providing a vague overview of your topic, strive to present a hook or compelling opening that immediately captures the reader’s interest.
Including too much background information: While providing some context for your topic is important, it is crucial to strike a balance and avoid overwhelming the reader with excessive background information. Focus on including only the most relevant and essential details that support the main point of your essay.
Using cliches or generic statements: Another mistake to avoid is relying on cliches or commonly used phrases in your introduction. These types of statements can make your writing appear unoriginal and uninteresting. Instead, strive to create unique and thought-provoking openings that stand out from the crowd.
Not clearly stating your thesis: Your introductory paragraph should clearly and concisely state your thesis or main argument. Failing to do so can confuse the reader and make it difficult for them to understand the purpose of your essay. Make sure your thesis is prominently featured in the introduction to provide a clear roadmap for your essay.
Neglecting to establish relevance: It is essential to establish the relevance and significance of your topic in the introductory paragraph. By clearly conveying why your topic is important and how it relates to the reader’s interests or experiences, you can create a stronger connection and engagement from the outset.

By avoiding these common mistakes in the introductory paragraph of your essay, you can create a strong and captivating opening that sets the stage for the rest of your writing. Remember to be specific, original, and clear in your introduction, and to always consider the needs and interests of your reader.

How to master the art of writing expository essays and captivate your audience, convenient and reliable source to purchase college essays online, step-by-step guide to crafting a powerful literary analysis essay, unlock success with a comprehensive business research paper example guide, unlock your writing potential with writers college – transform your passion into profession, “unlocking the secrets of academic success – navigating the world of research papers in college”, master the art of sociological expression – elevate your writing skills in sociology.

Essay Writing Guides

How To Write An Informative Essay

If you have been looking at the blank MS Word document for a couple of hours attempting to write something meaningful in your informative essay, you’re in the right place. Today, you will learn the informative essay definition, master this paper with ease, and get the highest grades. Read the guide from our essay service to discover how to craft a worthy informative essay.

What is an Informative Essay?

An informative essay is a paper that provides information on a specific topic. In other words, it educates the reader about a particular thing, be it a term, event, natural phenomenon, etc.

An informative essay doesn’t contain the author’s evaluation or analysis. Instead, it aims to describe a subject. What does this essay look like? In essence, most Wikipedia articles are informative essays since they provide you with information on a particular topic .

Due to this, you might be lucky if you are assigned to write an informative essay, since it’s one of the simplest academic writing tasks.

Informative Essay Purpose

The informative essay aims to explain a particular subject. But what does it mean? It means you need to tell your reader about the topic’s origin, causes, effects, etc. Let’s exemplify it with some historical events, like WW2:

When did WW2 start?
Who and why did initiate it?
What are the main WW2 events?
How did it end?
What countries did engage in WW2?
What implications did it involve?

Informative Essay Outline

All essay types share the same logic when it comes to outlining. Therefore, your informative essay structure must contain the following elements:

Introduction

Essays share some introduction features. Informative one is no exception: your introduction must contain a hook, background facts, a thesis statement, and the transition sentence.

What is an essay hook? It is a couple of the very first sentences of your essay introduction that spark your readers’ interest. You can include some eye-opening statistics and add some wordplay. After that, you may want to add background information that will evolve into the thesis statement.

Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is the main topic your essay will revolve around. A good rule of thumb is to narrow down your thesis statement so that you can fit into the required word count without compromising your research quality. After writing a thesis statement, you need to include a logical transition to your essay body.

You will describe your topic in the essay body. Usually, it will contain several paragraphs, depending on your topic complexity and the required word count. The crucial point is to follow the sequence of events and make logical transitions between the essay parts. Consequently, each body paragraph must contain:

A topic sentence that explains the paragraph’s main point and connects it to the previous one.
Information: facts, statistics, and thesis-supporting evidence.
Mini-conclusion. Summarize your paragraph and add a transition to the next one.

Repeat this pattern while writing each body paragraph to make your essay sound clear and logical.

An informative essay conclusion contains the following elements:

The restated thesis statement.
A summary of body paragraphs.
The final word.

How to Write an Informative Essay Introduction?

How to start an informative essay? First and foremost, it doesn’t require proving or debunking some beliefs or analyzing something. That’s why popular hooks like provocative rhetorical questions may not be suitable for this paper.

However, you may want to play with the readers’ awareness. Take a look at the introduction hook example on the global deforestation topic: Do you know that people remove 40,000 square miles (the size of Iceland) of forest each year? By wrapping striking facts into rhetorical questions, you can quickly grab your readers’ attention.

Follow 55K+ satisfied students. Get your papers done by pros.

How to write an informative essay thesis.

The thesis statement can render the meaning of your paper title. For example, your topic is Amazonian deforestation.

Think of what to write about: when Amazonian deforestation started, what countries remove the most trees, what implications deforestation involves, etc.

In this case, you have to provide a thesis statement that will set a direction for your paper so that you can uncover more and more details in your essay body.

So the thesis statement for this topic might sound like this: Deforestation of the Amazonian rainforest makes an unprecedented impact on the local biodiversity and climate . At this point, you have defined your essay’s direction: you will mention extinct species, changing rain patterns, rainforest loss rates, etc.

Note that you should make your thesis statement sound non-controversial. It has to be a fact (like deforestation implications) rather than an opinion/argument.

Remember that informative essays don’t involve debates.

How to Write an Informative Essay Body?

The essay body aims to bring more details to your thesis statement. It would be much better if you added headings for each part of your subject. In this way, it will be much easier for you to follow the essay direction. Also, you can use headings from H1 to H4. Take a look at the example on how to do that:

H1 Amazonian Rainforest Deforestation: Causes and Implications .
H2 When Did the Amazonian Deforestation Start ?
H2 Main Amazonian Deforestation Drivers
H2 Rainforest Loss Rates
H3 Brazilian Rainforest Loss Rates
H2 Amazonian Rainforest Deforestation Implications
H3 Global Temperature Rise
H3 Global Sea Level Rise
H3 Massive Extinction of Rainforest Species
H2 The Bottom Line.

How to Write an Informative Essay Conclusion?

The essay conclusion should provide a sense of completeness. For this, you should rephrase the thesis statement first. Please note that you need to give your rephrased thesis statement a new meaning based on the provided facts and conclusions.

After that, summarize your essay body in a couple of sentences. At the end of your conclusion, sum up the whole paper within the final line.

How to Choose a Topic for an Informative Essay?

Usually, professors provide their students with essay topics. But if you are free to choose one on your own, you are lucky. Check these tips for choosing informative essay topics:

Check for informative essay ideas on the web. Many websites list hundreds of topics for all academic levels.
Select narrow topics instead of broad ones if you wish to get a meaningful, well-researched essay – it’s impossible to cover a general topic.
Make sure you can find enough information on your subject. For this, do a quick research on a couple of topics before writing an informative essay.

Informative Essay Examples

Here are some informative paper examples you can use anytime you feel uncertain about how to properly organize and write your paper:

The War Within
The Miracle Worke
An informative essay about traveling

Informative Essay Writing Tips

Feel free to check the following tips if you wish to write an outstanding informative essay and get the highest grade for it:

Note Your Ideas

You may struggle to keep in mind all the ideas regarding your essay. So it would be excellent to note and list them before writing your first draft.

Make Up an Outline

Research your selected subject and draft your essay outline first to save you time. Once you get a clear and logical paper structure, you will write your essay step-by-step without a problem.

Use Writing Tools

Using citation machines is the best way to follow the required informative essay format and list all the used sources with ease. You can also use grammar checkers like Grammarly and plagiarism detection software to polish your paper.

Proofread Your Essay the Next Day

You might not notice all the errors in your essay right after completing your draft. Due to this, you may want to let your vision and mind have a rest. For this, proofread your piece the next day.

Write My Informative Essay for Me, Please!

Writing an informative essay is easier than you think. This academic paper requires you to describe a given or chosen topic in detail, with facts, statistics, and explanations. If you still struggle to grasp the informative essay meaning or have no time for it, you can ask professional Ph.D. writers from our essay writing service to craft this paper for you. All you need to do is create an account, place an order, and wait for the delivery.

Academic Writing Guides

How to Make an Introduction to an Informative Essay

Chris brower, 29 sep 2017.

An informative essay explains a particular topic to a reader. The introduction is naturally what starts the essay, so a strong introduction is essential to get the reader on board and interested in reading on. As well, a weak introduction can give a teacher grading your paper a poor opinion of the paper before he’s even finished reading it.

Begin your introduction with an attention-getter. Some examples include a statistic, an alarming fact, a question or a quote from the distinguished person. Avoid cliché phrases like, “Since the beginning of man,” “According to the dictionary” or “There is something that’s sweeping the nation.” This first sentence should pique a reader’s interest and make him think, “Wow. I need to read on.” For a paper on “depression,” you could start with an alarming fact about how many people suffer from depression.

Write one to three more sentences that draw on the point you made in the first sentence and connect it to the scope of the paper. For a paper on “depression,” this could mean an overview of what depression can do to a person’s life.

Decide upon a thesis, which is what your paper will be arguing. This is usually at the end of the introductory paragraph. The thesis states the position your paper holds. Though an informative essay shouldn’t state your opinion, it should have a clear point, such as, “Researchers have shown that depression may be caused by three different things, including ___ .”

Revise your introduction. Add transitions, such as “However” and “On the other hand” to make your sentences flow smoothly together. Edit out unnecessary words or things that slow the paper down. In particular, take a good look at your thesis statement, as what your paper argues may change after you write the rest of the paper.

1 Purdue OWL; Essay Writing; The Expository Essay

About the Author

Chris Brower is a writer with a B.A. in English. He also spent time studying journalism and utilizes both to deliver well-written content, paying close attention to audience, and knowing one word could determine whether a product is a success or a failure. He has experience writing articles, press releases, radio scripts, novels, short stories, poems and more.

How to Write an Introduction

How to End an Informative Paper

Good Ways to Start an Essay

How to Write an Introduction for an Argument Essay

What Is a Lead-in Statement?

How to Identify a Hypothesis

How to Start a Thesis Statement

How to Begin an Abstract

How to Choose a Title for Your Research Paper

How to Write an Introduction for a Literary Analysis...

What Is a Narrative Response?

How to Write a Speech Critique Paper

How to Write a Good Argumentative Essay Introduction

How to Write a Hypothesis to an Analytical Essay

How to Write a Fourth Grade Essay

Tips for High School Students on Creating Introductions...

How to Write the Intoduction of a Reaction Paper

How to Write a Discursive Essay

Major Parts of a Term Paper

Characteristics of a Good Thesis Statement

Regardless of how old we are, we never stop learning. Classroom is the educational resource for people of all ages. Whether you’re studying times tables or applying to college, Classroom has the answers.

Accessibility
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Copyright Policy
Manage Preferences

AI Content Shield
AI KW Research
AI Assistant
SEO Optimizer
AI KW Clustering
Customer reviews
The NLO Revolution
Press Center
Help Center
Content Resources
Facebook Group

How to Write an Informative Essay Introduction

Table of Contents

Essay introductions play a vital role in every informative essay. It is crucial to write an excellent introduction to make your piece more interesting. There are several things that you should consider when making a great intro. And we’ll discuss all that and more along with an informative essay introduction example .

Your introduction is what sets the scene for the rest of your essay. Informative essays use facts and figures, explain situations and issues, come up with conclusions and present the benefits of the thesis. And your introduction needs to reflect this.

Am open notebook and a pen placed next to a cup of tea.

What is an Informative Essay?

The purpose of informative essays is to provide information to the reader. It explains complex topics in a more simplified way. They can be about any topic such as business, history, literature, or even science.

Unlike other types of essays, the aim of informative essays is not to persuade the reader but to provide information. One of its main objectives is to present evidence to justify your main points.

Types of Informative Essays

Informative essays can be categorized into five main categories. This helps you know what you are trying to accomplish with your informative essay.

1. Descriptive

A descriptive essay can describe a subject, person, concept, or event in vivid sensory detail. This essay aims to appeal to the five senses. Descriptive essays can also appeal to empathy and emotion and arouse interest in the reader.

A process essay outlines the steps necessary to complete a particular task or procedure. It provides instructions in chronological order to assist the reader in the course of carrying out a task.

3. Compare/contrast

The compare-and-contrast essay highlights similarities and differences between subjects in the same category. The essay can compare two or more subjects and include their pros and cons. You can also use this essay to show how the subject fits within a single cluster of ideas.

4. Cause/effect

A cause-and-effect essay describes a scenario that caused an effect. It then goes through the causes and consequences of the situation. This is a somewhat common analysis format for informative writing. It aims to make a clear and logical argument.

5. Problem/solution

A problem/solution essay compares and contrasts two or more significant points and then gives a final solution. This essay must include an introduction with a thesis, a body, and a conclusion.

It’s important to remember that a problem/solution essay is not just about finding a solution and then conveying it to your audience. Instead, you should also provide the positive and negative aspects of the solution to help the audience see the benefit of the final verdict.

Tips for Writing an Essay Introduction

Writing your essay introduction isn’t as hard as it seems. If you stay organized, well-prepared, and focused on the purpose of your essay, it will go well. Here are some quick tips that can help you out.

1. Know Your Audience

By getting to know your audience, you can utilize a writing style that better suits the assignment. And you will be able to tailor your introduction to them so they get what they want out of the essay.

2. Keep it Concise

An introduction is usually two to three sentences long, so it’s essential to make it concise, direct, and to the point. Be brief and try to summarize your main points.

3. Hook Your Readers In

The introduction is also sometimes referred to as the hook. This is because it’s the part of your essay which will hopefully hook your reader to continue reading your essay throughout.

Make sure to make your introduction as interesting as possible. Think of something that can lure your readers in.

Types of Informative Essay Introduction Example

There are many ways to start your essay. Each type focuses on a different approach. Whichever type you choose to use, make sure that it hooks the reader and encourages them to continue.

By knowing the introduction types, you can get an idea of the kind of introduction to pursue with your essay.

1. Question Hook

Asking a question in your introduction can intrigue your reader . This question is a call to action, and by answering it, the reader gains greater knowledge about what’s to come next. This is an excellent choice for informative, persuasive, and narrative essays.

What is the most challenging question you have asked yourself?
Did you know that around one billion cars are being used worldwide?
How did people in medieval times communicate if they didn’t have the internet?

2. Declaration Hook

Declaration hooks involve using a solid opening statement to grab your readers’ attention. The best declaration hooks are personal statements, statements from authorities, or statements of opinion.

The leading cause of poverty is corrupt governments.
I believe that being a single mother is one of the most challenging jobs.

3. Story Hook

Story hooks are more on the entertaining side. It discusses a topic as if you’re telling a story. They can be narrated or told in a final summation theme. You might even choose to segue the story into your essay, using cliffhangers, events, or even some advice.

A story hook is a great way to share your personal experiences with others while keeping your essay’s tone informative.

Growing up, I always found nature to be an exciting sight. We used to go camping every weekend and witness the beautiful night sky above our tents.

4. Fact Hook

A fact hook differs from a declaration hook because it uses statements with proof to back it up. This adds more credibility to your essay. The reader will see that you’ve taken the time to research your topic.

An astounding 79 million motor vehicles are manufactured every year.

5. Quotation Hook

Another great way to start your essay is to use a quote. The quote you use doesn’t have to be from a well-known person. Once you’ve chosen a quote, you can explain what this quote means with a little bit of the author’s bias and opinion. Lastly, you want to tie the quote to the rest of your essay.

An informational essay aims to impart information that is essential to the reader. It is written in a structured and clear manner, and it can be about any topic.

The introduction of the essay is an essential component because it is the first step to hooking the audience in and getting them interested . Hopefully, the informative essay introduction example in this article has given your an idea of how to start your essay. Good luck!

How to Write an Informative Essay Introduction

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

Explore All Hook Writing Articles

Guide to writing an interesting expository essay introduction.

A good expository essay begins with an introduction that piques the interest of the reader. The expository essay introduction is…

Hook Writing

Discover the Top Creative Story Introduction Examples

Are you an aspiring author dreaming of becoming the likes of Stephen King or Suzanne Collins? Would you like to…

Creative and Powerful Sentence Starters for Essays

It can’t be said enough, first impressions matter. And it goes the same for essays because your starter sentences will…

Most Important Parts of an Essay Introduction

The introduction is often one of the most important sections in a paper. It creates a sense of what the…

7 Effective Ways to Start a Sentence

There are different ways to start a sentence and convey your message effectively to the readers. Being aware of the…

Six Social Media Hooks to Boost Engagement

To get the most out of your marketing strategy, you should consider using social media hooks to improve your engagement…

Plagiarism check
AI Check New
Get premium

14 Do's and Don'ts When Writing an Informative Essay

##14 Do’s and Don’ts for When Writing an Informative Essay

Writing a high-quality informative essay can be straightforward when you know what to do and what to avoid in your process.

Wondering what to do and what to avoid in your informative essay-writing process? When writing one, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of do’s and don’ts.

Keep reading to learn more!

Here is our list of do’s for when writing an informative essay:

Research the Topic Thoroughly

Search for related topics on Google Scholar . This can help you find additional sources and articles to gain more information from. Also, you can use the search engine to give you the keywords you need for your paper.

It is easy to get overwhelmed with the whole research process. However, it is important to remember that you are not expected to read everything you find. Instead, use the keywords that you find in Google Scholar to help you narrow down your search for information.

You should only spend a little bit of time reading articles on subjects that are relevant to your topic. This will help you save time and improve your writing since you are providing relevant information to your readers.

Brainstorm Ideas for Your Informative Essay

Brainstorming is an essential part of the writing process. It can help you generate ideas and discover a topic that interests you. It can also help you plan your ideas and organize your essay. Many students need help with knowing where to start when writing an essay. Brainstorming can help you get started.

Brainstorming can help you:

Discover a topic that interests you Plan your ideas and organize your essay Organize your ideas and research Get started writing your essay

Brainstorming can help you plan and organize your essay, but it's just one part of the writing process. It should not replace other important writing steps such as pre-writing, drafting, and editing

Organize Your Thoughts and Ideas

The best way to organize ideas is to write them down. You can write them in a journal or use a word processing program. Using a word processing program, you can use the outlining feature to organize your thoughts. Outlines are a great way to organize your ideas. Outlines can be used in a variety of ways. For example, some people use them to write essays and reports.

Others use them to plan speeches or presentations. No matter how you use an outline, it will help you organize your thoughts and ideas. Outlining is a great way to start writing. It helps you think about your topic and write your thoughts down. Once you have an outline, you can start writing.

You can start by writing the introduction and filling in each point from your outline. This will help you write a strong paper that is organized and coherent. Outlining is a great way if you want to write an organized paper.

Select a Focus and Make a Thesis Statement

Allowing yourself a thesis statement can help when it comes to writing. Whether it's a 1,000-word essay or a 100-word paragraph, it makes the writing process easier. However, writing 1,000 words without a thesis statement can be daunting, so it's best to start by making one.

Having a thesis statement lets you narrow down the topic and write about it more easily. You'll be able to connect your ideas and tell your reader what you want to say. Start with a thesis statement to make writing a seamless process.

Include Relevant Facts and Data

What is the context of the writing? What is the author trying to convey and why? What is the purpose of the text, and what is the author's intention? Before evaluating the content, dig a little to understand the background.

Ask yourself: Is the text written for a specific publication? Is it a college writing assignment? Is it an online tutorial? How is the author trying to engage the reader? What is the author's purpose? What kind of audience is the author trying to reach? The more you know about the text itself, the easier it will be to understand what is being said and how the author is saying it.

Support Your Arguments with Evidence

It’s easy to get caught up in what you’re trying to say and forget to back it up with evidence. Writing is an act of communication, and to be truly effective, you need to make sure your audience understands where you are coming from and why you are making the points you are.

Citing evidence is important for a few reasons. First of all, it demonstrates that you understand the context of your argument and are capable of keeping your perspective in mind as you dive into the details. Secondly, citing evidence shows your audience how you came to that conclusion and gives them a path to follow if they want to come to the same conclusion themselves.

Finally, citing evidence shows your audience that you are not afraid to admit your sources and creates a sense of trust that you are presenting what you know to be true rather than making unfounded assumptions.

Use a Logical Structure

A logical structure starts with fundamental concepts and builds toward more complex ideas. This is the most important thing to consider when creating a logical structure for your essay. The first sentence of an essay should always provide the reader with the most essential information to help them understand the rest of the essay.

This sentence should provide the reader with the main idea and help them understand the structure of the essay. It should lead into the next paragraph, further elaborating on the main idea. Stay consistent with your main idea, and don’t go off on tangents.

An effective essay has a logical structure, meaning it starts with the most important information and builds upon it with each subsequent paragraph. A logical structure can be achieved in many ways, but the most important thing is to stay consistent with your main idea.

Don’t go off on tangents or try to include too much information. A logical structure will help you convey your main idea clearly and concisely to your audience.

Use Simple and Clear Language

The best writing is clear and concise. Readers don’t want to be confused, and they certainly don’t want to re-read paragraphs or sentences to understand your message. So, use simple and clear language. The best way to do this is to avoid using big words when small ones will do, and to keep your sentences short and to the point.

Writing that’s complex or difficult to read can often be simplified, so never fear doing that. Instead, you’ll end up with writing that is clear and easy to understand, which is exactly what your readers want.

Use a Variety of Sentence Structures

This means using the correct punctuation. For example, if you are making a statement, use a period to finish it. Do not use a question mark. This is incorrect punctuation. When asking a question, use a question mark at the end of your sentence. It is important to use the correct punctuation as it is an important part of writing.

Cite Your Sources Properly

If we are not certain of the credibility of a source, we should not use it. It is a common mistake for students to cite dubious sources when they are unsure if the source is credible. This can result in a plagiarized paper with references that do not support the author’s observations or opinions. Checking the source’s credibility prevents such situations from happening.

In addition, the student should always ensure that the source they use is relevant to the topic. This can prevent unnecessary repetition of information, which can be a telltale sign of plagiarism. Furthermore, it helps us to stay focused on the essence of the topic and present our ideas more creatively and innovatively.

Check Your Work for Accuracy

Many teachers primarily focus on the content of a student’s writing, particularly when it comes to essay writing. An essay’s content is the most important, and it’s the hardest thing to master. It’s easier to work on your grammar skills and ensure your writing is error-free.

That way, you’ll be well prepared to write an essay that will get you the desired results with the least amount of stress. It’s a good idea to focus on what’s important and ensure your content is interesting, engaging, and informative before worrying about grammar and spelling.

Proofread and Edit Your Informative Essay

The combination of writing an essay and balancing a hectic schedule can be quite overwhelming. Mistakes like grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors are bound to happen. Proofreading and editing your essay is a great way to go about it.

You can use Rephrasely’s Grammar Corrector, a free online tool that helps in identifying grammatical errors and helps in fixing them. Once you're done with your draft, you can use the tool to proofread your essay.

Ask Someone Else to Review Your Informative Essay

It means that your writing is so off-base that you can’t even convince a stranger that your writing is good. That’s a problem. It could be that your writing is just plain bad, or it could be that you’ve been so consumed by your ideas that you can’t even see them objectively.

This is a clear sign that you need to get someone else to review your writing. Either that, or you need to take a break, walk away from your writing for a bit, and come back to it with a fresh mind.

Revise and Refine Your Informative Essay

Student writing can be hard to come to terms with because it’s not always clear exactly what the teacher is looking for. “Revise and refine” can be tricky because it’s hard to know where to start. Is it a case of just putting some ‘revise and refine’ at the top and hoping for the best? Well, sort of.

It’s hard to know exactly what your teachers are looking for, so it’s always best to start with a rough draft of your essay and then revise and refine it from there. Revising and refining your writing can be just as important as the initial draft, so make sure your essay is well-structured, well-researched, and well-written.

Here is our list of don’ts for writing an informative essay:

Don't Copy and Paste from Other Sources

While students may not have the essay writing skills to create a compelling argument, they can at least give themselves a fighting chance by avoiding plagiarism . By not copying and pasting content from other sources, students can at least be confident that the content they are presenting is original and accurate.

Some students may have the misconception that using other content is fine as long as they cite it, but they must remember that they are risking their academic standing by doing so.

Don't Use Biased Language

If you are writing a research paper, ensure that the material you are using is cited properly. This includes the titles, the authors, and the publishers. If you do not do this, you are guilty of plagiarism. Therefore, make sure that you are properly citing your sources so that you can avoid being accused of plagiarism.

When you are not properly citing your sources, you steal someone else’s work. When you are accused of plagiarism, you are accused of stealing someone else’s work.

Don't Make Baseless Claims

One of my biggest pet peeves is when students make claims that aren’t backed up by facts. For example, if a student were to write, “The Beatles were the most influential band of all time,” but didn’t offer any evidence to support this claim, it would leave the reader wondering if this statement is true or just an opinion.

As a writer, it’s important to back up your claims with examples, statistics, or any other evidence proving your point. By doing this, you’re ensuring that your argument is sound and well-supported, which will help your readers understand your point of view and make them more likely to agree with you.

Don't Use Jargon or Complex Terminology

Using jargon or complex terminology may make you seem authoritative, but can also make you seem inaccessible to the reader. If your writing is filled with unfamiliar terms that the average reader will not understand, they will be unable to follow your argument. Instead, consider the average reader and write in a style that is easy to understand and engaging.

Don't Use First-Person Pronouns

Many students have a habit of using first-person pronouns in their written assignments. For example, they will use ‘I,’ ‘me,’ ‘my,’ ‘mine,’ ‘myself’ or ‘our’, etc., in their written assignments so that it becomes distracting to the reader. It doesn’t look professional, and it is better to avoid it.

While you may want to use them, you should ask yourself, “is it important to know who is saying this?” If it isn’t, then don’t mention it. Just write your thoughts. It is much more professional and easier to follow if you do. It may take a while to get used to, but it is worth it!

Don't Exaggerate or Make Assumptions

Students should use evidence to support their arguments rather than exaggerating or making assumptions to get their point across. In the context of student writing, this means that students should provide concrete evidence for their arguments rather than just stating opinions.

For example, if a student is writing an essay about why the death penalty should be abolished, they shouldn't just state that it's immoral and unjust; they should provide specific examples and evidence to support their argument.

Don't Provide False Information

Writers should never include false information. Instead, they should write about their experiences in a way that is honest and engaging without exaggerating or including things that never happened. Never underestimate your reader and their ability to detect misinformation!

Don't Use Too Many Quotes

Quoting is a great way to show that expert opinions support your research and can also be a great way to add some personality to your writing. However, you want to make sure that you don't go overboard and quote too much. Otherwise, your writing can end up sounding dry and uninteresting, which is the opposite of what you're trying to achieve. So as with all things, moderation is key.

Don't Be Afraid to Be Opinionated

Students are often too afraid to be opinionated. They’re worried about coming across as too confident or even arrogant. When students are afraid to express their own opinions, their writing suffers. This is because they aren’t trying to engage with the text.

Instead, they’re simply regurgitating what the author has already said. When students are more willing to share their opinions, they have more to say about the text. This leads to more engaging writing, which is exactly what you want your writing to be. So, don’t be afraid to be opinionated! Be confident in your ideas and share them with the world.

Don't Forget to Include a Conclusion

The conclusion is the final part of a student's essay. It summarizes what the writer said in the essay’s body, and gives the reader a sense of completeness and closure. Conclusions add to the essay's structure and organization. It also helps the reader remember what the writer said in the essay.

The conclusion should not be a summary of the body. Instead, it should be a new and original thought that ties together the main ideas of the body. A conclusion should also leave the reader with an understanding of how the writer's point of view affects their life.

The conclusion should be concise and to the point. It should be between one and three sentences long. It should avoid being overly long or overly complicated. The conclusion should also have a transition sentence leading to the essay's body.

Don't Ignore the Purpose of Your Informative Essay

The best essay writing services could help you improve your writing without changing your original voice. They want your essay to sound like you wrote it. They just want to help you become a better writer. It's a very rewarding experience that can help you build confidence in your writing abilities.

You'll see how your writing has grown and how much progress you've made due to the essay writing service's help. It's a win-win.

Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help

If you're writing a paper with someone and you're stuck, don't be afraid to ask for help. Your partner might have a different perspective than you, and they can provide some insight that you haven't considered. Even if they can't help, they'll probably be glad to know they're not the only ones struggling!

Don't Forget to Check the Formatting Requirements

All academic papers are required to be formatted and structured in a particular way. It is essential to follow these guidelines to ensure your professor can easily read and assess your work. Furthermore, by taking the time and effort to format your papers properly, you will not only impress your professor but also improve your chances of receiving a good grade.

Not sure how to format your paper? Don't worry - plenty of resources online can help you get it right. A quick Google search will reveal many websites and apps showing you exactly how to format your paper in MLA, APA, or Chicago Style.

By taking the time to format and structure your paper properly, you will ensure that it is easy to read and understand, which will ultimately lead to better results.

Don't Wait Until the Last Minute to Write Your Informative Essay

Many students believe they can write a good essay only in the last minutes before the deadline. And they are right. If they don't take care to arrange their ideas and get the first draft done before the deadline, they will be writing from scratch at the last minute. It is better to dedicate time to writing the first draft of your essay and then go over it and edit it on time.

If you are stuck for ideas, try brainstorming or using some of the effective writing prompts available online. It helps to have a first draft ready before the deadline and then go over it for editing. This way, you save time on writing from scratch and can focus on perfecting your informative essay.

Final Thoughts

Following our list of do’s and don’ts for writing an informative essay will help you score top marks.

Here is our list of do’s for writing an informative essay:

Research the topic thoroughly Brainstorm ideas for your informative essay Organize your thoughts and ideas Select a focus and make a thesis statement Include relevant facts and data Support your arguments with evidence Use a logical structure Use simple and clear language Use a variety of sentence structures Cite your sources properly Check your work for accuracy Proofread and edit your informative essay Ask someone else to review your informative essay Revise and refine your informative essay

Don't copy and paste from other sources Don't use biased language Don't make baseless claims Don't use jargon or complex terminology Don't use first-person pronouns Don't exaggerate or make assumptions Don't provide false information Don't use too many quotes Don't be afraid to be opinionated Don't forget to include a conclusion Don't ignore the purpose of your informative essay Don't be afraid to ask for help Don't forget to check the formatting requirements Don't wait until the last minute to write your informative essay

We hope you’ve found our article helpful. Don’t forget to share it with a fellow student!

Works Cited: How to improve your writing. Rephrasely. (n.d.). Retrieved January 17, 2023, from https://rephrasely.com/blog/how-to-improve-your-writing Google scholar. (n.d.). Retrieved January 17, 2023, from https://scholar.google.com/ 20 important questions to consider when writing an essay. Rephrasely. (n.d.). Retrieved January 17, 2023, from https://rephrasely.com/blog/20-important-questions-to-consider-when-writing-an-essay Google. (n.d.). My word! Google Books. Retrieved January 17, 2023, from https://books.google.co.za/books?hl=en&lr=&id=J3uv5MQsdIkC&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=plagiarism&ots=ef7kSH9Gv7&sig=TN6K7esNMRglDoWhQwQ_XP_O0IE&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=plagiarism&f=false

About Rephrasely

Getting your wording just right.

Paraphrasing is a natural part of the writing process as it helps you clarify your thinking and suit your words to your audience. Using a Rephrasely helps structure and streamline this work, and our paraphrase tool offers 20 modes, many of them free, for accomplishing just this. The 20 modes we offer are diverse, including a summarize tool, a free grammar checker, a mode to simplify text, and a sentence shortener. There are sentence rephrasers and paraphrase rephrase tools, and we pride ourselves on having both, since our reword generator accounts for context at both the sentence and paragraph levels.

When you google paraphrase you will get a variety of results, from a free Rephrasely , to an article spinner, to a general phrase tool, and it can be hard to determine which of these rephrase tools will best help you complete your work. If you simply need to get a word rephrase, that is, reword only small elements within the sentence, many tools will suffice, but there is the risk that you end up with a tool that does not consider context and produces very awkward and ungrammatical sentences. Rephrasing is very much an art, and we’ve built our paraphrase bot to produce the most correct results in 20 modes in over 100 languages, making it the best paraphrasing tool at an exceptionally low cost. So whether you need to paraphrase deutsch, paraphrase greek, or paraphrase bahasa melayu, the next time you think, I need something to paraphrase this for me, you’ll know where to turn.

From keywords to paragraphs

Generating paragraphs with unique ideas can be challenging, and too often writers get stuck at this stage of the writing process. With our paragraph tool, you can enter keywords and let our AI generate paragraphs for you, so that you can have something to work with, refine the output, and become more engaged in your writing.

A paragraph generator creates links between your ideas, such that the output is sensible, unique, and stimulating, very close to what you would expect a thoughtful human paragraph writer to produce.

Paragraph makers are nice, but what about a short story generator? Because our AI is generalized, it serves a story generator, an essay generator, a poem generator, and much more. To generate compelling stories, you should provide the story generator with useful keywords from which it can develop plot elements, including characters, setting details, and any situational information. To generate reasonably good essays, you should likewise provide the essay maker with details around argumentative positions and any other pertinent ideas. If you more specifically want an introduction paragraph generator or conclusion paragraph generator, you can provide starter text and keywords that will best enable our essay creator to produce them.

You may well ask, “is this essay generator free?” Everything on this site is free within a 3-day trial, so you can test and develop confidence in our products. You may also be wondering where this is an essay automatic writer or if it will take a while to get results. All results appear within a matter of seconds, so you can move through your work as quickly as possible.

You may have professional needs for creating paragraphs as well, such as those needed for cover letter. Most of the time a cover letter template includes information that is not relevant to you; by using your own keywords, we can produce cover letter examples that are relevant to your use case and often require very little editing. By using this service, you can also learn how to write a cover letter and achieve the cover letter format you need.

Plagiarism checker free

Like everything else on our site, you can check plagiarism free within a trial, which is a great opportunity for those who want to check a paper for plagiarism without committing to paying before they see results. This free plagiarism checker is great for students and clearly indicates how to check for plagiarism by highlighting areas of similarity between the two texts. Just to be sure you are not accidentally plagiarizing, be sure to check all of your paraphrases as well.

OFFER! Save 50% on Assignment Crafted by Human Writers

How to Write an Essay Introduction? Examples & Steps

How to Write an Essay Introduction? Find Here

Table of Contents

What Is an Introduction?

What to include in essay introduction, how to write essay introduction easy steps, a list of examples of an essay introduction, let us help you to write a good essay introduction.

Do you ever start reading any essay or other write-up and move on to the next segment without even realizing it? If yes, it only happens when the introduction is written well. So, if you also want people to read your essay till the end, you first need to write a perfect introductory paragraph. You must read this blog if you often wonder, " How to write an essay introduction ?". Here, you will find out why the first paragraph is one of the most essential parts and the steps to write it. So, let's go delve into this blog's further section.

An introduction is the first paragraph that you use to start your essay. In this you define the scope of your essay, the gist of your topic, and provide background information of it. Through this, readers understand what they can expect from the further sections. However, you do not need to make it too lengthy or narrow; you should keep it within the standards. When preparing your English essay introduction next time, keep this in mind. If you find writing difficult, you can always get help from our essay writing service . Our writers will definitely assist you with composing a perfect, eye-catching introductory paragraph.

While thinking about preparing an essay, students are occupied with several questions. The first query that hits their mind is, "How to write an introduction and what to include in it?" Well, being a writer, you must know it, as it can help frame an incredible opening section of an essay. So, are you curious to know about it? If yes, then read the below points.

A good introduction paragraph always has a hook in it. If you don't know what it is, do not worry. The hook is an opening statement that grabs readers' attention and makes them move toward the next sections of the essay. If you want to hook your readers, you must make your essay interesting, use correct language, and keep it concise.

GPS (Global Positioning System) is one of the greatest inventions of the USA.

The invention was the greatest invention of the USA; it shook people's minds.

You can also check out our blog, A Captivating List of 70+ Essay Hook Examples & Their Types, to better understand it and get some ideas.

Background Context

When reading an introduction for your essay, always remember to add background information about the topic. A reader should know what your essay is about. Although they get the brief from the title, in your introductory section, you must mention what you will discuss further in the document in brief.

Example of Background Information

We will continue the Global Positioning System invention and provide its background information, which will be addressed in the essay.

The USA is famous for its greatest inventions, but one of the most famous creations is GPS, which stands for Global Positioning System. It helps people navigate and is important for various reasons. Here, we will discuss its history and importance in today's world, so let's read.

A Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is a sentence through which you define exactly what you need to say in your essay. It is placed at the end of the introduction. A thesis statement is considered the most essential part of the paper. Its main goal is to define the main point to the reader.

Example of a Thesis Statement

If your paper is about "How can high school students do better in university?" Then, you can write a thesis statement as follows.

All high school graduates should take a year gap to prepare themselves to do better in their careers

When planning your essay, the first question you need to ask yourself is, "How do I write an introduction paragraph?" If this question is already in your head, then we have provided you with the answer here.

Every student sits and thinks, "How to write an introduction?" Some of them find the answer, while a few still cannot find the right answer. So, if you are also one of the scholars, we will provide you with some easy steps to follow to prepare your essay.

Decide a Tone

While framing an essay, you must know what tone you use in the introduction and the entire document. For example, you might use slang in a personal essay but not in an argumentative essay. So, every essay has its limitations, to know more, you can also check the introduction paragraph examples in our next section.

Add Background Information

While writing your essay introduction, you do not only need to introduce the topic. However, you also have to provide background story of it. Doing this helps to set the information readers needs to know before diving into your essays.

As we already discussed, a hook is one of the most essential parts when you are writing an essay introduction. You must add a spark in your first section to keep your readers engaged in your paper. So, if you are thinking, "How to write an introduction paragraph?" the first thing you need to know is adding a hook.

Map Your Essay Structure

Having a clear structure ready before you start your essay introduction is so much essential. Some essays are long, like argumentative, so you must draft their structure prior. You need to specify many aspects; hence, always prepare your intro structure in advance to easily complete your task.

Read our blog on Argumentative Essay Examples

Revise and Proofread

Once you finish writing your essay introduction, you must revise and proofread it. These two processes help you to leave no room for mistakes, and you draft an error-free introduction. While writing, making mistakes is something common, and you must always check before sending the final write-up.

These are some of the easiest steps that can be used to write a polished essay introduction. We know initially, the thought, "How to write an introduction? " is common among students. Instead of worrying about this, you can use these steps or hire our experts for an instant solution.

Further, let's explore some examples to understand more about it.

There are different essays that you have to compose while in university. So, each of them is different, and while writing their introduction, you need to follow a specific tone and way. To understand more about this, and “How to write an essay introduction?” you can explore some examples of an essay introduction below.

Expository Essay Introduction Example

Topic: Advantages and Disadvantages of the Internet

In today's world, the Internet has taken over our lives. People spend half of their time on social media and other sites. It has surely made our lives easy, but there are disadvantages too. So, through this essay, you will read about the pros and cons of using the Internet.

Argumentative Essay Introduction Example

Topic: Are Human's Actions Reason for Climate Change?

The question, "Are Humans Actions Reason for Climate Change?" has always been debated. Some people agree on this, while others deny it. So, in this essay, we will discuss whether humans genuinely affect climate or not with the correct evidence.

These are examples of two essay introductions. By going through them, you must have understood, "How to write an essay introduction? " If you still have any questions, you can contact us and get clarity for framing your paper.

It is not easy to frame a perfect introduction that catches readers' attention easily. So, if you often think, "How to write an essay introduction?" this blog has given you all the necessary details. We hope you will write a paragraph to hook your reader. If you get stuck and need help, our writers are here to help. From introduction to an argumentative essay, argumentative to narrative, they can prepare all for you. Apart from the introduction, if there are any other issues you are facing, you can share them with them and get help from them to achieve good grades.

Choose a writer for your task among hundreds of professionals

Facing Issues with Assignments? Talk to Our Experts Now! Download Our App Now!

Have Questions About Our Services? Call Us or Download Our App!

+44 7862127770 (Toll Free)

Get the App Today!

This Website Uses Cookies We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. We have updated our privacy policy in compliance with GDPR. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it

Please rotate your device

We don't support landscape mode yet. Please go back to portrait mode for the best experience

Limited Time Offer

Exclusive Library Membership + FREE Wallet Balance

1 Month Access !

5000 Student Samples

10,000 Answers by Experts

Get $300 Now

Are you seeking one-on-one college counseling and/or essay support? Limited spots are now available. Click here to learn more.

30 Topic Sentence Examples

June 24, 2024

What is an essay without a topic sentence? Well, confusion. In your writing, the topic sentence introduces what the paragraph will be about. It should cover the topic of the paragraph and the prime focus of what you want to discuss in the next several lines. And it can assist in smoothly transitioning into the next paragraph, the next point you’re about to make. Depending on the complexity of your argument, the topic sentence can also weave together several paragraphs. So when the topic sentence is missing, it’s easy to lose track of what your specific message is. Below, you find 30 topic sentence examples.

Think of the topic sentence as a tool in your writing kit. It’s there to help you signpost and structure the argument of your essay. Having it, while making sure the topic is interesting and clear, is essential to help your reader truly understand your thesis.

How do you write a topic sentence?

When you’re about to write an essay, you won’t find yourself immediately thinking of every topic sentence example at once. Figuring out what your thesis is going to be, the very purpose and argument of your essay, will be a necessary first step . Then you might want to create an outline . The outline can draft out what you want to cover in each paragraph or how your argument will be supported.

This is where the topic sentence comes in. For every paragraph, you can begin to think of topic sentence examples that best sum up the rest of your idea. The more interesting you can make the topic sentence, the better it will be, so long as you can support it. Remember, the topic sentence will introduce what you are going to discuss and expand on in the rest of the paragraph.

Examples (Continued)

Let’s take a look at these six topic sentence examples below that introduce a paragraph:

1) Studies over the last ten years have shown that the use of social media has a significant role in teenage mental health.

2) Kate Jackson and her family, who have all been San Francisco residents for 30 years, noted that this was the hottest summer yet.

3) Book sales across the country have actually increased this year, contrary to popular belief.

4) During COVID-19, people rushed to adopt pets, but after the pandemic ended many of those pets were surrendered to shelters.

5) It is undeniable what impact the meat industry has had on our environment.

6) In the 19th century in France, the creation of the Braille system was a significant turning point for those with disabilities.

How do you imagine the rest of the paragraph will turn out? How can you best support your topic sentence to strengthen your overall essay?

Support your paragraph with evidence

The topic sentence of your paragraph will not hold well if it is not backed up with the right evidence. After writing a topic sentence like the topic sentence examples above, the rest of your paragraph should include strong examples of evidence to support your argument. Doing so will only help validate your topic sentence and allow your reader to have more insight into your thesis.

Considering each topic sentence examples above, try to think of what types of evidence you would expect in that same paragraph. There could be reports on statistics, interviews, and other forms of evidence provided. How will yours be?

Where should the topic sentence go?

Now you know that your topic sentence should be followed by the right evidence. So it’s safe to assume that the topic sentence belongs at the very beginning of the paragraph.

Yet depending on the paragraph you’re working on, you can also place your “main” topic sentence after an “intro” topic sentence. Let’s take a look at the two examples below:

7) Due to rising temperatures around the world, people have had to flee their homes and relocate to areas less prone to fires or floods. (Intro topic sentence)

8) However, many have found that even these “safer” locations are still susceptible to eventual natural disasters. (Main topic sentence)

When we combine the two sentences, we get:

Due to rising temperatures around the world, people have had to flee their homes and relocate to areas less prone to fires or floods. However, many have found that even these “safer” locations are still susceptible to eventual natural disasters.

The first (intro) topic sentence example is more generic and introductory, functioning like a summary of an observation. The second (main) topic sentence example then presents another contradictory argument to that first point. Depending on the tone or argument you want to make in your paragraph, you can format your topic sentences in such a way to further sharpen your thesis. Whenever you have doubt though, you can always place one topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph.

Sometimes less is more in writing the topic sentence

The topic sentence introduces the key concept of that paragraph, along with evidence and research findings. It can even be written as more than one sentence or perspective, as noted directly above. However, you also don’t want to say too much. Why?

You don’t want to give all of your information away at once. While it is imperative to write a clear, specific, and even complex topic sentence, it’s just as important to avoid being too general or too informative. Striking the right balance is going to help you structure the rest of your essay. After all, you have the rest of the paragraph and the rest of your essay to do that, which leads us to our next point.

Topic sentences for smoother transitions

Like a game of dominoes, your paragraphs are all connected and should flow smoothly into the next statement you are making. As you are building your outline, or even as you’re already writing, consider how your previous paragraph transitions into the next . This depends on the intention of each paragraph and how you are structuring your argument.

Topic sentences for paragraph transitions have many functions. They will elaborate on more examples. They can wrap up or summarize a preceding point you made, providing another perspective. Also, they can go against a fact or opinion you wrote, which is a great way to strengthen your overall thesis and they can also be posed as a question.

Take a look at these transitional topic sentence examples below:

9) In fact, walking as a form of exercise has shown to reduce cortisol levels.

10) Furthermore, city council representatives have said that environmental sustainability has remained at the top of the agenda, but activists have largely disagreed.

11) While the strike in Hollywood has come to an end, many writers are still without employment and searching for new ways to restart their careers.

12) However, grocery prices across the country still seem to have risen.

13) Despite the state’s discontinued funding for the arts, is there another feasible way for these students to gather together and flourish as young artists at their school?

More than one paragraph: Topic sentences that expand into several key points

So far we’ve covered topic sentences that elaborate on just one paragraph. However, you might find that one topic sentence (or two) can best address several paragraphs. This usually occurs when you’re trying to introduce a bigger argument to serve your essay.

Let’s take one of the single paragraph topic sentences from earlier above and expand it by adding a connecting topic sentence to it:

14)Book sales across the country have actually increased this year, contrary to popular belief.

15) A report from the Association of American Publishers’ StatShot program states that in April sales over a year there has been an 18% increase.

These two topic sentence examples can even serve as their own introductory paragraph. This can then lead into more paragraphs related to the topic of specific book sales increasing across the country:

Book sales across the country have actually increased this year, contrary to popular belief. A report from the Association of American Publishers’ StatShot program states that in April sales over a year there has been an 18% increase.

Make the topic sentence interesting, not obvious

Check out 15 more topic sentence examples below. How do they introduce the topic, and what does it make you want to learn more about? You can imagine what kind of paragraph, or paragraphs, might follow afterwards:

16) When brewed correctly, coffee can hold strong, subtle hints of flavors such as chocolate or fruit, depending on the level of acidity.

17) Although today life in 1920s Paris is often romanticized for its glamor, jazz, and fashion, the city was still struggling to recover from the devastation of World War I.

18) Strict social rules dominated the Victorian Era, despite Britain’s expansion around the world in pursuit of wealth and power.

19) Dogs have a keen sense of time, so much so that they can predict when you’re late to take them out for a walk.

20) Before winter arrives, birds such as cranes and waterfowl follow preferred aerial pathways during their yearly migrations.

21) Conservation methods have helped local farms in their efforts to prioritize sustainability.

22) Did you know that humans would have a better chance of reaching Mars if they had a base set up on the moon?

23) The Pacific Ocean covers more than 30 percent of the earth’s surface, and it is home to so many life forms that have not yet been studied.

24) It is often debated whether or not student athletes should be paid for their performance, considering the cost for them to succeed.

25) Becoming a successful CEO doesn’t just happen overnight.

26) Although purchasing a home is considered a great form of investment, potential buyers should look at the real estate market first.

27) Watching my mother work three jobs to support our family has taught me the importance of resilience and strong work ethic.

28) Historical fiction not only has the power to teach us of actual past events. It also allows us to step into the lives of those we would have never met.

29) Parents and teachers at Sunnyroad School District are advocating for schools to provide free computers for their students – but the administrators aren’t so sure.

30) Across the country, the debate around whether teenagers should be allowed to use smart phones on campus has been circulating.

The topic sentence as a guide

One way to look at topic sentences is to imagine them as guiding compasses of your essay. Whatever point you are trying to make, the topic sentence has the power to guide your reader down a certain path. Choose wisely! And if you’re ever unsure about how to steer your essay and you need a personal guide, we’re here to help .

Additional Resources

100 Creative Writing Prompts for Middle & High School
100 Tone Words to Express Mood in Your Writing
160 Good Argumentative Essay Topics for Students in 2024
How to Write the AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Essay (With Example)
How to Write the AP Lang Argument Essay (With Example)
400 Adjectives to Describe a Person
High School Success

Joanna Hong

With a BA from Pitzer College and an MA from University College London, Joanna has worked in London, Berlin, and Los Angeles covering many cultural and political issues with organizations such as Byline Media, NK News, and Free Turkey Media. A freelancer for The New York Times, her work has also appeared in Newsweek, Dazed and Confused Magazine, and The Guardian, among others. In addition, Joanna was the recipient of the 2021 PEN America Emerging Voices Fellowship in Fiction and is currently completing her first novel.

2-Year Colleges
Application Strategies
Best Colleges by Major
Best Colleges by State
Big Picture
Career & Personality Assessment
College Essay
College Search/Knowledge
College Success
Costs & Financial Aid
Data Visualizations
Dental School Admissions
Extracurricular Activities
Graduate School Admissions
High Schools
Homeschool Resources
Law School Admissions
Medical School Admissions
Navigating the Admissions Process
Online Learning
Outdoor Adventure
Private High School Spotlight
Research Programs
Summer Program Spotlight
Summer Programs
Teacher Tools
Test Prep Provider Spotlight

“Innovative and invaluable…use this book as your college lifeline.”

— Lynn O'Shaughnessy

Nationally Recognized College Expert

College Planning in Your Inbox

Join our information-packed monthly newsletter.

I am a... Student Student Parent Counselor Educator Other First Name Last Name Email Address Zip Code Area of Interest Business Computer Science Engineering Fine/Performing Arts Humanities Mathematics STEM Pre-Med Psychology Social Studies/Sciences Submit

Our Writers
How to Order
Assignment Writing Service
Report Writing Service
Buy Coursework
Dissertation Writing Service
Research Paper Writing Service
All Essay Services

Essay Writing Guide

Writing A Body Paragraph

How To Write A Strong Body Paragraph

Body Paragraph Structure

Understanding the structure of a body paragraph is crucial for crafting effective and coherent writing. Each part of the structure serves a specific purpose in developing the main idea and supporting the overall argument of the essay.

Here is the typical structure of a body paragraph:

Topic Sentence

The topic sentence is the first sentence of a body paragraph and introduces the main idea of the paragraph. It should be clear, concise, and directly related to the thesis statement of the essay.

A strong topic sentence sets the tone for the paragraph and gives the reader an idea of what to expect.

Supporting Sentences

Supporting sentences follow the topic sentence and provide evidence, examples, and explanations to develop the main idea. These sentences should be well-organized and logically connected to ensure coherence.

Types of evidence include facts, statistics, quotes from experts, and real-life examples.

Explanation and Analysis

In addition to presenting evidence, it's important to explain and analyze how the evidence supports the topic sentence. This involves interpreting the significance of the evidence and connecting it back to the main idea of the paragraph.

Concluding Sentence

The concluding sentence wraps up the paragraph by summarizing the main point and providing a transition to the next paragraph. It reinforces the topic sentence and ensures that the paragraph ends on a strong note.

The TEAR structure is also an effective way to organize body paragraphs to ensure clarity and coherence. TEAR stands for Topic sentence, Evidence, Analysis, and Recap.


	Introduces the main idea of the paragraph and relates to the thesis statement.	"Effective communication is a vital skill in the workplace."
	Provides facts, statistics, quotes, or examples that support the topic sentence.	"According to a recent survey, 85% of employees believe that good communication skills are crucial for career advancement."
	Explains and interprets the evidence, showing how it supports the topic sentence.	"This statistic highlights the importance of communication skills in achieving professional success, as it demonstrates that the majority of employees recognize its value."
	Summarizes the main point of the paragraph and transitions to the next paragraph.	"Therefore, developing effective communication skills is essential for anyone looking to succeed in the workplace."

How To Write a Body Paragraph

Creating an effective body paragraph is essential for building a strong, coherent essay.

Body paragraphs are typically placed between the essay introduction and the conclusion , forming the core of the essay.

Follow these steps to ensure each paragraph is well-structured and supports your overall argument, as detailed in your essay outline :

Step 1: Understand the Purpose

Before you start writing, understand the purpose of your body paragraph. Each paragraph should support your thesis statement and contribute to the overall argument or narrative of your essay.

Step 2: Write a Clear Topic Sentence

Start with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph. This sentence should be clear, concise, and directly related to your thesis statement.

Example: "Effective communication is a crucial skill in the workplace."

Step 3: Provide Supporting Evidence

After the topic sentence, include supporting sentences that provide evidence to back up your main idea. Use facts, statistics, quotes, or real-life examples. Ensure your evidence is relevant and credible.

Example: "A recent survey found that 85% of employees believe good communication skills are essential for career advancement."

Step 4: Explain and Analyze the Evidence

Explain and analyze the evidence you provided. Show how it supports the topic sentence by interpreting the significance of the evidence and connecting it back to the main idea. This step is crucial for demonstrating your critical thinking skills and deep understanding of the topic.

Example: "This statistic highlights the importance of communication skills in professional success, as it demonstrates that most employees recognize their value."

Step 5: Conclude with a Concluding Sentence

End the paragraph with a concluding sentence that summarizes the main point and provides a transition to the next paragraph. This sentence should reinforce the topic sentence and ensure the paragraph ends on a strong note.

Example: "Therefore, developing effective communication skills is essential for anyone looking to succeed in the workplace."

Step 6: Ensure Coherence and Flow

Make sure your sentences are logically connected and that the paragraph flows smoothly from one idea to the next. Use transitional words and phrases to maintain coherence and guide the reader through your argument.

Step 7: Review and Revise

After writing your paragraph, review it to ensure it effectively supports your thesis statement and follows the TEAR structure (Topic sentence, Evidence, Analysis, Recap).

Revise for clarity, coherence, and conciseness.

Example Paragraph:

"Effective communication is a crucial skill in the workplace."

"A recent survey found that 85% of employees believe good communication skills are essential for career advancement."

"This statistic highlights the importance of communication skills in professional success, as it demonstrates that most employees recognize their value."

"Therefore, developing effective communication skills is essential for anyone looking to succeed in the workplace."

How to Write a Body Paragraph for a Research Paper

Writing body paragraphs for a research paper requires a precise approach to ensure clarity, coherence, and credibility. Here’s how you can craft effective body paragraphs for a research paper:

Write a Clear Topic Sentence Begin with a topic sentence that introduces the main idea of the paragraph and relates directly to your thesis statement.
Introduce and Cite Evidence Provide credible supporting evidence, such as data, statistics, or quotes from experts, and cite your sources properly.
Analyze and Interpret the Evidence Explain how the evidence supports your topic sentence, discussing its significance and implications.
Connect to the Broader Argument Relate the analysis back to the broader argument of your research paper. Show how this paragraph fits into your overall thesis and contributes to the understanding of the topic.
Conclude with a Recap or Transition End with a concluding sentence that summarizes the main point or transitions to the next paragraph.

How to Write a Body Paragraph for an Essay

Crafting body paragraphs for an essay involves presenting a coherent argument that supports your thesis statement. Here’s how to write an effective body paragraph for an essay:

Write a Clear Topic Sentence Start with a topic sentence that clearly states the main idea of the paragraph and links back to your thesis statement.
Provide Supporting Evidence Include relevant evidence, such as facts, statistics, examples, or quotes from credible sources.
Explain and Analyze the Evidence Interpret the evidence and explain how it supports your topic sentence, highlighting its significance.
Conclude with a Recap or Transition End with a sentence that summarizes the main point or transitions to the next paragraph.

Don'ts of Writing a Body Paragraph

When writing your body paragraphs, be mindful of these additional pitfalls to ensure clarity, coherence, and effectiveness in your writing:

Avoid unsupported claims; always provide evidence.
Use quotes sparingly; ensure they directly support your points.
Stay focused on your main idea; avoid introducing new concepts.
Stick to relevant information; avoid tangential details.
Provide specific evidence; avoid overgeneralizing.

Now you know how to write an effective body paragraph for essays and research papers.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure your paragraphs are clear, well-supported, and contribute meaningfully to your overall argument.

However, if you're still struggling with your writing or need further assistance, feel free to contact our essay writing service . We're here to help you craft compelling and well-structured academic papers.

So, trust your essays to our professional writers and place your order!

Write Essay Within 60 Seconds!

Nova Allison is a Digital Content Strategist with over eight years of experience. Nova has also worked as a technical and scientific writer. She is majorly involved in developing and reviewing online content plans that engage and resonate with audiences. Nova has a passion for writing that engages and informs her readers.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That’s our Job!

Keep reading

Essay Editor

Classification Essay Guide

A classification essay is a powerful tool in academic writing, enabling writers to break down broad topics into organized categories for better understanding. This guide will show you how to write a classification essay, from designing a perfect outline to selecting compelling topics. Continue reading to learn how to create a clear, insightful, and engaging classification essay.

What is a Classification Essay? A Brief Overview

A classification essay is a type of academic writing that involves organizing and categorizing subjects, ideas, or objects into distinct groups or categories based on shared characteristics. The primary objective of a classification essay is to break down a broad topic into smaller, more manageable parts, making it easier for readers to understand and analyze the subject matter. This type of essay helps demonstrate a writer's ability to organize information logically and enhances critical thinking by requiring the writer to identify and explain the basis for each category.

Designing the Perfect Outline For Your Classification Essay

An effective classification essay requires a well-structured outline that guides the writing process. A clear outline ensures that the essay remains focused, logical, and cohesive. Here is a guide on how to design the perfect classification essay outline:

Introduction

The introduction of a classification essay should serve as a roadmap for the reader. It should provide a brief overview of the topic, explain the essay's purpose, and present the classification criteria. An engaging introduction sets the tone for the entire essay and captures the reader's interest.

Key elements to include in the introduction:

Hook: A compelling opening sentence to grab the reader's attention.
Background Information: A brief context or background of the topic to help the reader understand its relevance.
Thesis Statement: A clear statement that outlines the main categories and the criteria for classification.

The main text, or the body of the essay, is where the detailed classification takes place. Each paragraph should focus on a specific category, providing a thorough explanation and relevant examples.

Here are some points to include in the main text:

Topic Sentence: Introduces the category being discussed in the classification paragraph.
Explanation: A detailed explanation of the category, including its defining characteristics.
Examples: Relevant examples to illustrate the category and enhance understanding.
Transition: Smooth transitions between paragraphs to maintain the flow of the essay.

The conclusion of a classification essay should summarize the main points and restate the thesis in light of the information presented. It should provide a sense of closure and leave a lasting impression on the reader.

Your conclusion should be composed of the following:

Summary of main points: Briefly summarize the categories and their significance.
Restated thesis: Restate the thesis in a new light based on the discussion in the body paragraphs.
Final thought: Write a closing statement that provides a final insight or reflection on the topic.

How to Write a Classification Essay: Detailed Plan

Writing a classification essay involves several steps, from choosing a topic to organizing the information and drafting the final text. Here's a detailed plan to guide you through the process:

Choosing a Topic for Classification Writing

Selecting the right topic is crucial for the success of a classification essay. The topic should be broad enough for multiple categories but specific enough to be manageable.

Tips for choosing a topic:

Interest and knowledge: Choose a topic that you are interested in and have some knowledge about.
Relevance: Ensure the topic and the essay's purpose are relevant to the audience.
Availability of information: Consider sufficient information and examples to support your classifications.

Subjects to Write On

When selecting a subject, think about areas that can be easily divided into categories. Here are some examples of potential subjects for a classification essay:

Types of books: Fiction, non-fiction, biographies, self-help, etc.
Learning styles: Visual, auditory, kinesthetic, etc.
Sports: Team sports, individual sports, extreme sports, etc.
Hobbies: Indoor hobbies, outdoor hobbies, creative hobbies, etc.
Movies: Genres such as action, comedy, drama, horror, etc.

Building Up the Main Body of the Text: Things to Remember

The main body is where the detailed classification occurs. Each paragraph should focus on one category and provide a clear and thorough explanation.

Things to remember when building up the main body:

Consistency: Ensure each category is defined using the same criteria.
Clarity: Be clear and precise in your descriptions and explanations.
Examples: Use relevant and diverse examples to illustrate each category.
Balance: Allocate a similar amount of detail and space to each category to maintain balance.
Transitions: Use transitional phrases to ensure smooth flow between paragraphs.

Classification Essay Topics

Choosing a topic can be challenging, but here are some ideas to get you started:

Types of Social Media Platforms: Social networking, microblogging, video sharing, etc.
Genres of Music: Classical, rock, jazz, hip-hop, etc.
Forms of Government: Democracy, monarchy, authoritarian, etc.
Types of Cuisine: Italian, Chinese, Mexican, Indian, etc.
Methods of Transportation: Public transport, private vehicles, cycling, walking, etc.

Summarize What is Written in Your Classification Paper

Summarizing your classification essay involves revisiting the main points and the categories discussed. In your conclusion, highlight the significance of each category and restate the thesis to reinforce the purpose of your classification.

Steps to summarize your classification paper:

Review Main Points: Review each category briefly, emphasizing the key characteristics and examples.
Restate Thesis: Rephrase your thesis statement to reflect the discussion in the body paragraphs.
Provide Closure: End with a final thought or reflection that ties everything together and provides a sense of completeness.

A well-written classification essay organizes information effectively and provides insight and clarity on the subject matter. By following this guide, you can create a coherent and engaging classification essay that is informative and enjoyable to read.

Are you trying to write a classification essay but need some help? Why not give Aithor a try? Whether you're a student or an aspiring writer, this tool can help you know how to write a classification essay, improve the logical organization of your essay, and effectively convey complex information.

Visit Aithor and see how this amazing tool can change your essay-writing experience.

How to write a reaction paper nice and easy.

In the world of student home assignments there lives an interesting and creative project, a reaction essay, by name. It deals with the person's feedback on a movie, book, article, a piece of work, evoking thoughts and emotions. What is the essence of this paper? How to write a perfect one? Let's get acquainted with this issue. At first, imagine the situation when you've just watched a deep philosophical movie or read an article that cut you to the very heart. You feel like thunderstruck. You ne ...

How to Write a Business Report With Example

One of the most effective ways to convey essential information is through a business report. This article will guide you through the purpose of a business report, provide valuable writing tips, outline how to format your business report correctly and offer an example for better understanding. What is the Purpose of a Business Report? A business report serves as a critical tool for decision-making within an organization. Its primary purpose is to analyze a particular situation or issue, evalua ...

How to Write Essay Introductions

When you acquaint two strangers, you introduce one person to another, right? The same thing concerns the text and any material you wish to present to your reader or listener. At that moment an introduction composed of letters comes onto the stage and plays its leading part. Being the first thing the audience is faced with, an essay introduction should catch a person's attention, give information about the topic and idea the author discusses, and prepare him for the following comprehension. How ...

Diagnostic Essay Writing Guide and Outline Sample

Imagine stepping into a classroom on the first day and being asked to write an essay. This exercise, commonly referred to as a diagnostic essay, is a common tool used by instructors to gauge their students' writing proficiency. Interestingly, in a study exploring the effectiveness of evaluation papers, over 70% of participants reported that these tasks significantly improved their understanding of their writing strengths and challenges. This finding underscores the assessment assignment's role i ...

How to Write a Good Conclusion For a Lab Report

Writing a good conclusion for your science lab report can be the difference between a good grade and a great one. It's your last chance to show you understand the experiment and why it matters. This article will help you learn how to write a lab conclusion that sums up your work and shows your teacher that you understood what you did. What Should Be in Your Lab Report Conclusion? A good lab report conclusion wraps up your lab work in a neat package. When you're thinking about how to write a c ...

How to Write a Successful Letter of Motivation

Every person wishing to get to College or University faces a real challenge – writing a motivation letter. Through lack of knowledge, the process may seem quite stressful and backbreaking. But the devil is not so black as he is painted. Just calm down and let's start. Today we will: 1. discuss the structure of a motivation letter and its peculiarities in terms of sense and format; 2. accentuate the moments, colleges pay special attention to; and 3. give some tips on how to create a real suc ...

How to Write Recommendations in Research Paper

Every research paper should end with a conclusion and recommendations concerning the main topic. How to write a recommendation report? What should be added in this part, and what – shouldn't be? What is the structure of this section? Having answered these questions, a person may write this fragment of the project perfectly. Let's get into this issue together. Recommendations in a research paper: meaning and purpose What is the purpose of recommendations? Why are they so important? Generally, ...

Essay Format Tips from an English Teacher

Writing a solid and well-crafted essay is crucial for students and researchers, as it involves presenting arguments clearly and succinctly. Whether you are writing a paper for an assignment, a scientific journal, or a personal statement, understanding the correct essay format is pivotal. This meticulously collated guide covers key features of essay formatting and provides tips to refine your writing. What is an Essay Format? An essay format is a blueprint for shaping your written assignment, ...

Verify originality of an essay

Get ideas for your paper

Find top study documents

How to write a survey paper: structure and tips for effective writing

Updated 04 Jul 2024

All students dream of an easier way to learn a subject. Writing a survey paper example can effectively synthesize and consolidate information, helping you master a topic. It’s a valuable skill for anyone involved in academic research. This article will guide you through the essential steps of crafting an effective review. From understanding its purpose and structure to gathering and synthesizing information, you will learn how to write a survey paper and present a comprehensive overview of existing studies on a specific topic. You’ll be equipped with the tools to produce a well-organized and insightful text highlighting key findings and gaps in the literature.

What is a survey?

This is a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge and research on a particular topic. Unlike a sociology research paper and other original academic papers that present new findings, this writing summarizes and synthesizes existing studies, emphasizing significant developments, trends, and gaps in the literature. Its primary goal is to deliver readers a lucid explanation of the state of the art in a specific field.

Where is it used?

Also known as review papers, paper survey examples are commonly used in academic and professional contexts where a broad topic overview is needed. They are prevalent in:

Academic journals: Researchers publish review articles in scholarly journals to explain the current academic landscape, often to introduce a special issue on a particular subject.
Theses and dissertations: Graduate students frequently use this writing the same way as a precis paper as part of their thesis or dissertation work to demonstrate their understanding of the existing literature.
Conference proceedings: Papers based on good survey topics are presented at conferences to summarize current exploration directions and trends, creating a foundation for discussions and further study.
Grant proposals: Researchers include them in grant applications to justify the need for their proposed exploration by highlighting gaps and unresolved issues in the existing science literature.

When do you need it?

Project beginning: Researchers turn to this genre to gather and summarize existing knowledge, which helps identify gaps and formulate research questions.
Curriculum development: Educators use review papers to develop course materials that give students a comprehensive understanding of a subject.
Policymaking: Policymakers rely on a survey introduction example to gain insights into current research trends and evidence, which inform decision-making processes.
Professional development: Professionals use papers on technology research topics to stay updated on the latest developments and advancements in their field.

Survey paper format and structure

To ensure adherence to academic standards, format your writing as follows. Use Times New Roman, 12-point font, and double-space the text. Set 1-inch margins on all sides for a professional look. Format headings and subheadings clearly and consistently. Include page numbers in the upper right corner. Follow the chosen citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, or Chicago) for in-text citations. Label and number all tables and figures, placing them in the appropriate sections and referring to them within the text.

Below is a general guideline on how to format a survey and structure it:

Your survey title examples should be clear and concise, reflecting the main topic to convey the paper’s focus quickly. This page should include the name(s) of the author(s), institutional affiliation(s), date of submission, and contact details.

How to introduce a survey? Complete the abstract (typically 150-250 words) with a summary of the objectives, scope, key findings, and conclusions, offering a snapshot of the research. List 3-5 keywords that represent the main topic.

Introduction

In your research survey introduction example, provide the background, significance, objectives, and an outline of the document to set the context, explain its importance, and guide the reader.

Literature review

This section summarizes and evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of existing studies and discloses patterns, trends, and gaps, establishing a foundation and context.

Methodologies and approaches

This section is the same as you use in a communication paper . It describes, compares, and critiques study approaches, informing readers about various methods and assessing their effectiveness.

Key terms and definitions

This section explains key terms and concepts used in research to ensure a clear understanding of the terminology.

Recent trends and developments

This section offers an overview of the latest exploration and emerging trends, describing the current state of the art and highlighting new directions.

It synthesizes the reviewed literature and trends, analyzes findings and implications, and identifies science areas requiring further exploration.

In this part, summarize the main points and findings, significance, and recommendations to wrap up the text and suggest future research directions.

This is a complete list of cited sources in the proper format, crediting original authors and offering further reading resources.

Follow these guidelines to ensure your survey paper template is well-organized, clearly written, and academically rigorous. Always check for any specific requirements provided by your instructor, institution, or the journal to which you submit the text.

How to write a survey: step-by-step guide

An overview involves a systematic approach that ensures the final document is comprehensive, well-structured, and insightful. Below is an extended step-by-step guide to help you craft a thorough paper:

Step 1. Select a topic.

Choose a topic relevant to your study area with ample existing research. Ensure your survey topic examples are specific enough to be manageable but broad enough to cover significant exploration.

Step 2. Define the scope.

Clearly outline the scope of your work. This task will be easy if you know the answer to “ What is a term paper ”. Specify the aspects of the topic you will focus on to maintain clarity and focus throughout your document.

Step 3. Conduct a preliminary literature review.

Begin by reviewing the available literature to gain a general understanding of your topic's current state of research. Identify key studies, influential papers, and major findings to inform your subsequent detailed review.

Step 4. Formulate a research question.

To understand how to write a survey introduction, you should develop a clear and concise research question or thesis statement that will guide your work. Ensure your question is specific, focused, and researchable.

Step 5. Gather and organize relevant sources.

Collect literature directly addressing your research question using academic databases, journals, books, and credible online sources. Categorize it into themes, methodologies, or chronological order.

Step 6. Analyze and critique the literature.

Critically evaluate the studies, identifying their strengths, weaknesses, and contributions to the field. Look for patterns, trends, gaps, and areas of consensus or controversy in the existing study.

Step 7. Create an outline and conduct your research.

Develop a detailed outline for your work to guide your writing process. Create a document containing an introduction to a survey, body paragraphs with methodologies, key findings, and discussion, and finalize with a conclusion.

Step 8. Edit and proofread.

Review your paper for clarity, coherence, and consistency. Check for grammatical errors, proper citation, and adherence to formatting guidelines. Revise for improved quality and readability. Proofread the final draft to eliminate the mistakes. Seek feedback from peers or mentors for a polished, high-quality paper.

Step 9. Check formatting and presentation.

Ensure your document follows the provided formatting guidelines. Pay attention to font, margins, spacing, and heading styles. Correctly label and reference tables, figures, and appendices.

Step 10. Review and submit.

Conduct a final review for any errors or inconsistencies. Ensure logical flow and integration of all sections. Submit your text according to the given submission guidelines.

How to make your research stand out?

Creating a paper survey template can significantly advance your understanding of a topic, but to truly excel, there are a few essential recommendations to keep in mind. Let’s see how to write a survey paper to ensure your text stands out.

Understand your topic.

Begin by thoroughly understanding the topic. If any part of the question is unclear, seek clarification from your instructor. A solid grasp of the topic's basics will help identify key points of your exploration.

Select relevant literature.

Stay focused on your survey topics ideas by selecting sources that directly address them. Avoid hoarding unrelated sources and systematically review and filter appropriate studies.

Construct a concise research question.

Even if you prefer controversial research topics , keep your thesis statement short and clear to guide your paper’s direction and help you stay focused. This way, it will be easier for you to select relevant literature and avoid unnecessary information.

Use your library.

A preliminary investigation is crucial. Start with your college library, which offers a wealth of resources like encyclopedias and introductory texts to help outline your topic. Use these references to delve deeper into specific academic texts, enhancing your study outcomes.

Prioritize different up-to-date sources.

Base your work on current literature, ideally published within the last 5 years, and ensure you have more than 10 relevant sources. This balance maintains the relevance and depth of your exploration.

Use reputable sources.

One of the key secrets of how to write a good survey is to choose peer-reviewed and recognized sources in your field. Quality trumps quantity, so focus on highly regarded publications.

Use a logical sequence.

Be sure you understand how to structure a paragraph and that each element of your work ties into the research question and overall objective. This requires revising, editing, and proofreading your work multiple times.

Follow an appropriate format.

When learning how to write a survey report, remember to follow academic guidelines and use a standard format, including suitable headings, spacing, font, margins, and referencing style. Adhering to word limits and maintaining concise wording is also crucial.

With these tips, you can produce high-quality, well-organized reviews that effectively communicate your study outcomes. If you need professional assistance, do not hesitate to contact our research paper writing service . Our dedicated experts are ready to help complete your work, provide valuable recommendations, and edit and proofread your work.

Final thoughts

Writing surveys is a crucial academic skill that allows you to synthesize existing research and present a comprehensive overview of a specific topic. Following the steps outlined in this article, you can produce well-structured and compelling writing that highlights key findings, identifies gaps in the literature, and provides a clear direction for future exploration. From understanding the purpose and scope of your research to organizing your findings and refining your writing, each step is essential to creating a high-quality text.

However, the process can be challenging and time-consuming. If you need additional assistance, EduBirdie is here to help. We offer expert guidance and support for every aspect of survey writing, from conducting thorough research and organizing your paper to editing and proofreading. With our help, you can ensure your survey study example meets the highest academic standards and effectively communicates your findings.

Whether you are just starting your research or need help polishing your final draft, EduBirdie's professional services can make a significant difference in the quality of your work. Don’t hesitate to seek the support you need to excel in your academic endeavors.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback.

Written by Mary O. Spears

Mary O. Spears is a dedicated writer specializing in crafting insightful guides on essay and paper writing. With a profound understanding of academic standards and a talent for demystifying complex topics, Mary offers invaluable guidance to students aiming for academic excellence. Outside of her professional work, Mary is passionate about cooking and eating healthy, bringing creativity and balance to both her culinary and writing endeavors.

PESTLE analysis example: explanation & tips

Understanding the larger environment in which a company operates is vital for planning and making decisions. One of the most effective tools for th...

How to Write a College Paper Successfully

Writing a college paper is an undeniably challenging task. It is one of those chances you are expected to show your professors the kind of student ...

Join our 150K of happy users

Get original papers written according to your instructions
Save time for what matters most

How it works
Pay for essays
Do my homework
Term Paper Writing Service
Do my assignment
Coursework help
Our Writers

MLA research proposal format: a guide to essentials

Understanding MLA research proposal format: a comprehensive guide

A historian and political analyst by training, Jay Brines offers six years of experience in academic writing. His in-depth understanding of political theories and historical contexts brings a rich perspective to his papers, making them a valuable resource for students in these fields. You can always count on this paper writer.

How to write a research paper MLA format? It's a common question among students and researchers who are preparing papers in the humanities. A research paper proposal outlines the objective, scope, and direction of your academic endeavor. Academic proposals are essential because they allow researchers to explain their study's purpose and request comments or financing. Formatting this text in MLA style follows humanities field standards and makes it organized and readable. This introduction to MLA style paper will explain why writing guidelines are essential for academic achievement and how they help you write a clear, professional, and convincing MLA research proposal format.

Coherent and well-structured proposals are crucial. They prepare the basis for the study and provide a clear path for it, ensuring all project issues are examined and adequately expressed. When drafting such proposals, it's beneficial to understand "What is MLA format?" as this style guide can help organize your documentation and citations effectively, ensuring clarity and consistency throughout the academic writing process. Using the right proposal structure helps you communicate your work's research significance and persuade others to do the study. This introductory section emphasizes the importance of MLA proposal formatting in academic writing and research preparation before diving into the details.

Mastering the essentials of MLA style for crafting research proposals

Modern Language Association (MLA) style is popular in language and literary writing. It's essential to familiarize yourself with the specific guidelines that govern this style. Understanding MLA rules helps research proposals sound professional and scholarly. MLA style paper format organizes proposals, making research aims obvious to reviewers and researchers. MLA proposal format, citations, and organization are crucial for academic legitimacy. The style basics will be covered in this part to help you write a solid MLA research proposal.

The crucial role of following MLA guidelines in writing

Following MLA formatting basics while writing an academic paper is essential to scholarly communication. These standards organize material simply and consistently, making the text easier to read. Researchers should follow MLA formatting principles to guarantee that their work is regarded seriously and evaluated on its merits rather than formatting problems.

Understanding and using MLA style paper format in a study proposal helps generate a professional tone and structure, which is crucial to convincing review panels of its viability and need. It shows attention to detail and adherence to "academic writing" norms, which are appreciated in scholarship. This section will explain MLA style paper format and how to use it to write a research proposal, covering citation styles and formatting a research paper.

Developing a compelling title and abstract

The title page for research proposal writings generally makes the initial impression. A brief title summarizes your study and engages readers. It should be concise, informative, and reflect your idea. Meanwhile, the abstract, much like you might find in a research proposal sample MLA format, condenses your study goals, methods, and consequences. Well-written abstracts instantly convey the scope and relevance of your study, inspiring additional investigation. Title and abstract efficiency can greatly affect study publicity and accessibility.

Crafting a compelling abstract: a quick guide for 100-200 words

Any study project needs an abstract writing to summarize its aims, methodologies, and implications. Effective abstract tips include beginning with a clear problem or purpose, a quick summary of the research methodology used, and a picture of the expected outcomes.

This section of the proposal frequently decides the reader's interest in reading the whole thing. It is the first substantive description of your work viewed by an external scholar, and a well-written abstract may greatly improve its reception. Thus, abstract writing is essential for researchers who want their proposal to stand out. Writing services can help you learn how to start a paper effectively, ensuring your abstract catches the reader's attention immediately. Moreover, services such as write my paper for me can provide guidance on structuring and refining your abstract, making it a powerful introduction to your proposal.

Strategies and insights for crafting engaging titles and abstracts

The title of your MLA research proposal format sets the tone and identifies the subject. A short, detailed, and informative title structure should convey the study's substance and entice the reader to learn more. A strong title quickly tells the reader about the study topic, which is vital in academic writing that prioritizes clarity and accuracy.

To write a good title and abstract, be clear when reading the research proposal example MLA and avoid unclear terminology. Additionally, connecting the title and abstract with the primary research challenges and approaches helps give a comprehensive preview of the proposal's content and persuasively argues for the research's necessity and relevance.

Organizing your research proposal: a strategic approach

Effectively communicating your research proposal sample MLA strategy requires a well-structured research proposal. This section helps you organize your proposal to include all important elements. Your study topic, technique, and projected results should flow together to make a cohesive paper. A logical MLA proposal format helps your proposal flow and emphasizes the importance and viability of your research idea.

Blueprint for organizing your proposal with defined sections

A well-organized proposal organization is crucial to a clear document. A well-organized proposal helps the reviewer identify crucial material and evaluate the study's feasibility and relevance. The parts should be organized from topic introduction to research methodology approaches, expected results implications, and conclusions.

The introduction proposal example, literature review, methodology, expected outcomes, and conclusion should be clearly divided. Each part should explain the research's goals, importance, and methodology and add to the proposal's narrative. This systematic technique helps deliver material effectively and shows the researcher's extensive planning and comprehension of the academic project's needs.

Guidelines for numbering and formatting subsections to enhance clarity and coherence

Effective structuring extends to the detailed organization of your content. Numbering and MLA formatting sub-sections enhance the readability and navigability of your proposal. Here are key practices to consider:

Consistent sub-section headings: Use uniform styles for headings and subheadings to maintain a coherent MLA structure.
Sequential numbering: Number sections and sub-sections in a sequential manner to guide the reader through your proposal.
Logical flow: Arrange sections in a logical order, starting with the introduction proposal example and proceeding through methods, results, and conclusions.
Visual distinction: Make use of bold or italicized fonts sparingly to emphasize important points without distracting from the main text.

Crafting the introduction and conducting the literature review

The beginning of your MLA research proposal example should set the stage for your investigation. It presents the study issue, emphasizes its relevance, and specifies your research goals. You must demonstrate your understanding of existing research and its relevance to your subject in the literature review after the introduction. This part places your research in the existing scholarly conversation and highlights gaps your study seeks to fill.

Advice for crafting a powerful introduction to frame your research

Introduction writing in a research proposal sample MLA includes background information, the research topic, and study goals. A good beginning sets the stage for the subject, engages the reader, and persuades them that it is important. The study scope and desired contributions to knowledge must be clearly defined.

A good introduction should flow into a Literature review that critically evaluates pertinent research. Literature review guidelines recommend that this part show a deep awareness of the academic environment around the research issue and identify gaps that the present study will fill.

Best practices for performing a literature review in MLA-style research proposals

When conducting a literature review for an MLA research proposal, consider the following MLA guidelines for essay projects:

Relevant sources: Focus on recent and pertinent literature to support your research context.
Citation consistency: Adhere strictly to MLA citation guidelines to maintain uniformity and avoid plagiarism.
Critical analysis: Evaluate and synthesize the literature; don't just summarize. Highlight debates, major themes, and gaps in the research.
Integration with proposal: Clearly link the literature review to your research questions and objectives, demonstrating its direct relevance.

Formulating the research methodology and anticipating outcomes

Define your research methodology by detailing data collection and analysis methods. The research design, data-collecting techniques, and analytic procedures should be clearly stated in this section to support the study's goals. Describe methodology limitations to honestly examine your approach's flaws and display critical thinking and problem-solving.

Outlining expected results predicts what the research seeks and what it may mean in the area. This indicates the study's direction, likely influence, and relevance. This section addresses research challenges to prepare the proposal for skepticism and scrutiny by showing that the researcher has examined and planned for probable hurdles.

A conclusion of your MLA research proposal is a conclusion summary of the article's main elements. This section revisits key topics like the structured approach to proposal development, MLA formatting, and strategic considerations for each section — from writing an impactful title to writing a clear and concise abstract. The conclusion summarizes these essential elements to help the reader comprehend the MLA structure and substance.

How should I format the title page in an MLA research proposal?

MLA research proposal does not need a title page; instead, write your name, instructor's name, course name, and date in the upper left corner of the first page and the title centered on the following line.

Can I use bullet points in an MLA research proposal?

Bullet points can assist in clarifying procedures or list topics in the methodology section, even though MLA style prioritizes paragraph form.

How do I cite sources within the proposal?

Use parenthetical citations with the author's last name and page number, and list all books cited at the conclusion of your proposal.

How to Write an Exemplification Essay | A Guide from WritePaperFor.Me

How to Create a Dissertation Outline. Writing Tips and Free Template

How to Write a Dissertation: Helpful Tips and Impressive Ideas

What are you waiting for?

You are a couple of clicks away from tranquility at an affordable price!

COMMENTS

How to Write an Essay Introduction (with Examples)
Here are the key takeaways for how to write essay introduction: 3. Hook the Reader: Start with an engaging hook to grab the reader's attention. This could be a compelling question, a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or an anecdote. Provide Background: Give a brief overview of the topic, setting the context and stage for the discussion.
How to Write an Essay Introduction
Step 1: Hook your reader. Step 2: Give background information. Step 3: Present your thesis statement. Step 4: Map your essay's structure. Step 5: Check and revise. More examples of essay introductions. Other interesting articles. Frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.
How to Write an Introduction Paragraph in 3 Steps
The 3 Main Parts of an Intro Paragraph. In general, an intro paragraph is going to have three main parts: a hook, context, and a thesis statement. Each of these pieces of the intro plays a key role in acquainting the reader with the topic and purpose of your essay. Below, we'll explain how to start an introduction paragraph by writing an ...
Informative Essay
When composing the introductory paragraph(s) of an informative paper, include a hook, introduce the topic, provide background information, and develop a good thesis statement. If the hook or introduction creates interest in the first paragraph, it will draw the readers' attention and make them more receptive to the essay writer's ideas.
How to Write an Informative Essay (with Pictures)
For your informative essay, you will need an introduction, at least three main points, and a conclusion. You may want to make these sections and write notes down under the section where you expect it to go. 5. Keep track of your sources. You should know in advance what information you'll need when citing sources.
How to Write an Informative Essay in 7 Steps & Examples
6. Write the First Draft. Writing an informative essay is all about breaking down complex information into digestible chunks of information. There are 2 ways to go about creating an informative essay: Start writing a polished version right after building a plan. Compose a rough draft and revise it later.
Introductions
In general, your introductions should contain the following elements: When you're writing an essay, it's helpful to think about what your reader needs to know in order to follow your argument. Your introduction should include enough information so that readers can understand the context for your thesis. For example, if you are analyzing ...
How to Write a Great College Essay Introduction
Good example. I wiped the sweat from my head and tried to catch my breath. I was nearly there—just one more back tuck and a strong dismount and I'd have nailed a perfect routine. Some students choose to write more broadly about themselves and use some sort of object or metaphor as the focus.
How to Write an Informative Essay Guide
Сheck our complete guide on Essay introduction. How to Write the Body of an Informative Essay. When writing the body of an informative paper, it is best to break the paragraph down into four distinct steps. The Claim or Statement. The claim or statement is a single, simple sentence that introduces the main topic of the paragraph.
Writing an Informative Essay
Informal Writing. 5. Now follow each numbered step in the "Suggested Outline Format and Sample" below. Sample answers have been provided for "I. Introduction" and "II. First Cause.". A complete sample outline can be seen here. A complete sample informative essay can be seen here.
Writing an Informative Essay
A well-written informative essay should include an introduction (hook, bridge, thesis), a body (topic sentence, research, explanation), and a conclusion (reframed thesis and call to action). While ...
How to Write an Informative Essay: Expert Guide
They start with an introduction to set the stage, then present the main points with evidence, and wrap up with a summary to tie it all together. Write for Your Audience: Keep your writing simple and easy to understand. Think about who will be reading it. Give Just Enough Detail: Don't overload people with info.
How to Write an Informative Essay: A Friendly and Detailed Guide
An informative essay is a paper that educates an audience on a given subject matter unbiasedly. The subject could be an object, person, event, or phenomenon. The goal is to answer a prompt question in detail and with facts compellingly and concisely. You will not be giving your opinion or analysis; instead, your essay should remain objective ...
How to Write an Informative Essay: Topics, Outline, Examples, Tips
Tips on Writing an Informative Essay. The most frequent mistake that students make is attempting to write right away, without the proper research and a lack of an informative essay structure plan. Such an attitude is especially unproductive when writing an informative essay since it needs a lot of effort put into the synthesis of information.
Informative Essay
Informative Essay Definition. The informative essay can be simply defined as, "A form of essay writing that aims to educate and inform the reader about a specific topic." Informative essays can cover a variety of topics. It could be written about a particular thing, event, or natural phenomenon, etc.
Awesome Guide on How to Write an Essay Introduction
What Makes a Good Introduction. All of the following criteria should be fulfilled by a strong opening sentence: Start your introduction on an essay with a catchy sentence that draws the reader in. It needs to include baseline information about your subject. This should give readers a sense of the main argument(s) that your essay will address.
10 Tips for Writing a Strong Intro Paragraph for Your Essay
When stating the thesis in the introduction paragraph, it is crucial to be precise and concise. The statement should be clear, avoiding vague language or generalizations. By being explicit and specific about the main argument, the writer immediately captures the reader's interest and makes a strong impression.
Informative Essay: A Complete Guide to Easy Writing
Summarize your paragraph and add a transition to the next one. Repeat this pattern while writing each body paragraph to make your essay sound clear and logical. Conclusion. An informative essay conclusion contains the following elements: The restated thesis statement. A summary of body paragraphs. The final word.
How to Make an Introduction to an Informative Essay
CLASS. An informative essay explains a particular topic to a reader. The introduction is naturally what starts the essay, so a strong introduction is essential to get the reader on board and interested in reading on. As well, a weak introduction can give a teacher grading your paper a poor opinion of the paper before he's even finished ...
How to Write an Informative Essay Introduction
And you will be able to tailor your introduction to them so they get what they want out of the essay. 2. Keep it Concise. An introduction is usually two to three sentences long, so it's essential to make it concise, direct, and to the point. Be brief and try to summarize your main points. 3.
How to Write a Research Paper Introduction in 4 Steps
Steps to write a research paper introduction. By following the steps below, you can learn how to write an introduction for a research paper that helps readers "shake hands" with your topic. In each step, thinking about the answers to key questions can help you reach your readers. 1. Get your readers' attention
14 Do's and Don'ts When Writing an Informative Essay
Outlining is a great way to start writing. It helps you think about your topic and write your thoughts down. Once you have an outline, you can start writing. You can start by writing the introduction and filling in each point from your outline. This will help you write a strong paper that is organized and coherent.
How to write an essay introduction
Let Us Help You to Write a Good Essay Introduction. It is not easy to frame a perfect introduction that catches readers' attention easily. So, if you often think, "How to write an essay introduction?" this blog has given you all the necessary details. We hope you will write a paragraph to hook your reader.
30 Topic Sentence Examples
What is an essay without a topic sentence? Well, confusion. In your writing, the topic sentence introduces what the paragraph will be about. It should cover the topic of the paragraph and the prime focus of what you want to discuss in the next several lines. And it can assist in smoothly transitioning into the next paragraph, the next point you're about to make.
How to Structure and Write A Good Body Paragraph
How To Write a Body Paragraph. Creating an effective body paragraph is essential for building a strong, coherent essay. Body paragraphs are typically placed between the essay introduction and the conclusion, forming the core of the essay.. Follow these steps to ensure each paragraph is well-structured and supports your overall argument, as detailed in your essay outline:
Classification Essay Guide
How to Write a Classification Essay: Detailed Plan. Writing a classification essay involves several steps, from choosing a topic to organizing the information and drafting the final text. Here's a detailed plan to guide you through the process: Choosing a Topic for Classification Writing
How to Write a Survey Paper: Structure & Practical Tips
Develop a detailed outline for your work to guide your writing process. Create a document containing an introduction to a survey, body paragraphs with methodologies, key findings, and discussion, and finalize with a conclusion. Step 8. Edit and proofread. Review your paper for clarity, coherence, and consistency.
MLA research proposal format: a guide to essentials
To write a good title and abstract, be clear when reading the research proposal example MLA and avoid unclear terminology. Additionally, connecting the title and abstract with the primary research challenges and approaches helps give a comprehensive preview of the proposal's content and persuasively argues for the research's necessity and ...

How to Write an Essay Introduction (with Examples)

Table of Contents

Literary Analysis Essay Introduction Example

Examples of essay introduction

Argumentative Essay Introduction Example:

Expository Essay Introduction Example

Related Reads:

Similarity Checks: The Author’s Guide to Plagiarism and Responsible Writing

Choose Your Test

What Is an Introduction Paragraph?

The 3 Main Parts of an Intro Paragraph

Intro Paragraph Part 1: The Hook

Intro Paragraph Part 2: Context

Intro Paragraph Part 3: The Thesis

How To Write an Introduction Paragraph: Example and Analysis

Example of Introduction Paragraph

Example of Introduction Paragraph: Analysis

Does the Intro Have a Good Hook?

Does the Intro Give Context?

Does the Intro Have a Thesis?

4 Tips for How To Write an Introduction Paragraph

Tip 1: Analyze Your Essay Prompt

Tip 2: Narrow Your Topic

Tip 3: Do Your Research

Tip 4: Write Multiple Drafts

What's Next?

Ask a Question Below

Improve With Our Famous Guides

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Informative Essay — Purpose, Structure, and Examples

Purpose of informative writing

How to write an informative essay

Informative essay introduction

Informative essay body paragraphs

Informative essay conclusion

Informative essay example

How to Write an Informative Essay

Selecting and Researching Your Topic

Making an Outline

Writing Your Essay

Community Q&A

You Might Also Like

About This Article

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

How to Write an Informative Essay: Definition, Structure, Steps & Examples

What Is an Informative Essay: Definition

Characteristics of Informative Essays

Informative Essay Structure

Informative Essay Introduction

Informative Essay Thesis Statement

Informative Essay Body Part

Informative Essay Conclusion

How to Write an Informative Essay Step-by-Step?

1. Choose a Proper Topic

2. Conduct Research and Collect Information

3. Write Down Crucial Facts

4. Prepare a Thesis Statement

5. Build an Outline

6. Write the First Draft

How to Write an Informative Essay Introduction?

How to Write an Informative Essay Body Paragraphs?

How to Write a Conclusion for an Informative Essay?

7. Revise and Edit

Informative Essay Format

Informative Essay Examples

Informative Essay Writing Checklist

Bottom Line on How to Write an Informative Essay

FAQ About Informative Essays

2. How to start an informative essay?

3. How many paragraphs are there in an informative essay?

You may also like

Have a language expert improve your writing

How to Write an Essay Introduction (with Examples)  