Beginning an Informative Essay

When you write an informative essay, your goal is to provide readers with information on a particular topic. An effective introductory paragraph of an informative essay includes a hook, sentences that contain background information and a thesis statement. Writing an effective beginning for your informative essay will improve your chances of accomplishing your goal of providing your readers with pertinent information on your topic.

Begin your informative essay by writing a strong hook that grabs your readers’ attention. Use a strong quote, an extraordinary fact or an evocative question as possible strategies. Other tactics include using a statistic or an anecdote. Avoid using definitions or clichés as your hook; these hook tactics are overused and could create the opposite effect of your intended purpose of reeling your readers into your essay.

Provide your readers with general background information on your topic. For example, if your informative essay is on exercise, you could include several sentences explaining the impact that a sedentary lifestyle could have on a person's overall health.

Follow the background information with a thesis statement. The thesis statement, also referred to as the thesis sentence or simply the thesis, provides the focus or central idea of your paper. A solid thesis statement gives readers a good idea of what to expect in your essay and works to compel your readers to continue. You can place your thesis statement in the center of your introductory paragraph or make it the last sentence of the paragraph. Because you are writing an informative essay, you should not include your opinion of the topic in your thesis statement as you might with other types of essays.

Your instructor will explain his or her expectations for what you should include in the beginning of your informative essay. If your instructor provides a rubric, review it repeatedly to be sure you're including all required elements. If after doing so you still feel unclear of your instructor’s expectations, discuss your concerns with him or her at your earliest convenience.