You have probably heard it being said time and again that the end justifies the means. However, when it comes to writing a cause and effect essay , it’s a different ball game altogether. The beginning, referred to as the introduction, is what gives your reader an idea of exactly what you are going to be talking about. It is the part of your essay that will determine whether our reader will be motivated to find out more about what you want to discuss or simply move on to other matters. As such, it is important to ensure that the introduction not only evokes interest in your readers but also motivates your audience to read on.

There are three main parts of an introduction, which include:

The hook

Otherwise known as the attention grabber, the hook is the part of the introduction that helps cash in on your readers by grabbing their attention. It can include anything between a shocking fact, an anecdote or an appropriate quote preceded by an overview of the essay theme or even a small background on the topic.

Connections

Although the term is quite ambiguous, it, in essence, implies trying to make sense of everything you want to write. It in part involves making a list of the main points you want to discuss in the order that they will appear and merging the ideas whilst ensuring that you still keep the information you are relaying concise and to the point.

The thesis statement

The thesis statement is no doubt one of the most vital inclusions to inculcate into your introduction essentially because it is the part of the essay that tells the whole story.

The length of the introduction

The truth is, although there aren’t any rules governing how long an introduction should be, there are a number of items including the number of paragraphs that the essay will have that will play a hand in determining the length of your introductory paragraph. For instance, if you are just going to do a 5 paragraph essay, then the introductory paragraph can be as short or as long as one paragraph. However, if you are doing a 30-page essay, the introduction could be either a couple of paragraphs or a couple of pages depending on how much information is readily available.

Types of introductions

While most introductory paragraphs have more or less the same overall structure, there are certain areas of interest that differ including the content placed in the bones. Some of the most common types of introductory paragraphs include:

• The narrative introduction
• The analytical introduction
• The persuasive introduction

Tips for writing a catchy introduction

• Keep the amount of background information you give to the minimal.
• Keep the introduction as brief as possibly can be.
• Be concise with your points.

Cause and effect essay introduction example

Although success is an ambiguous term, it has a number of specific causes and effects that define its essence. For instance, it is caused by a constant desire to achieve and an undying persistence and diligence in your undertakings and it can lead to, among many things, financial wealth which everyone so longingly desires.