Write Your Introductory Paragraph

In this video, you will begin drafting your essay by writing the introductory paragraph.

The introductory paragraph is a key part of an essay, as it prepares the reader for what the rest of the essay will be about.

Your introductory paragraph should both inform and capture the interest of your reader.

Be sure to use your own voice when writing an application essay.

Your voice is your own unique personality, style, or point of view that comes across in your writing.

Make your writing your own.

To start, open a new document and rename it.

Keep your essay planning document open in another tab for reference.

Add your topic prompt to the top of the document.

Then, add your name below the topic prompt.

Next, write the introduction to your essay.

Avoid starting your essay with the “answer” to the prompt.

For example, don’t begin with “The person I admire most is my mom because she made a better life for us by going back to school.” Instead, offer an interesting or surprising idea, or even tell a brief story.

This is called a “hook” because it grabs the reader’s attention and makes them want to continue reading.

Add just enough detail so your reader gets a clear idea of your essay’s topic.

Now, conclude your introductory paragraph with a thesis statement.

A thesis statement is the main point or argument you want to make.

You will provide details and evidence that support your thesis in your body paragraphs.

Your thesis statement sets the tone for the rest of the paper.

It sets expectations that the rest of your essay will support this statement.

Finally, bold the topic prompt title and your name to make them stand out from your essay’s text.

Now, it’s your turn: Create and rename a new document, Add the topic prompt and your name to the document, Write an introductory paragraph that includes a thesis statement, And bold the topic prompt and your name.