The beginning of an essay or introduction explains to the reader why the subject is significant, important, relevant, or valuable (SIRV). The introduction provides a context for understanding the subject and a reason for the reader to know about the subject. Often, the introduction contains a clever hook to catch the reader's interest. Finally, the introduction provides the necessary background for understanding the thesis statement of the essay.

Functional introductions

A functional introduction gets the job done and is often the easiest approach to timed essays. It is usually short, about three sentences. Each sentence serves a particular function.

Sentence 1 -- Limit the topic
Sentence 2 -- Clarify the topic
Sentence 3 -- Identify direction of focus

The following two examples illustrate this technique being used in personal essays:

Math was never my best or favorite subject. For this reason, I was a little anxious about beginning math classes this spring. I found myself reflecting on three previous math teachers and remembering how their personalities affected their teaching.

A teacher's personality is the force that attracts or repels a student. Two of my teachers are intelligent young women, but because of the differences in their enthusiasm, self-image and magnetism, I was drawn to one class and dreaded the other.

Imaginative introductions

Imaginative introductions emphasize 'hooking' the reader's attention. They are usually longer than functional introductions and involve creative techniques of imagery, scene, narrative and dialogue. In argument essays, an imaginative introduction often involves the use of a powerful story that serves as an emotional argument aimed at gaining reader support before the logical arguments are presented.

The following example illustrates this technique as it is used in a personal essay:

Anger rushed over me as I stared at my progress report. The C in the science column stood out from the rest of the grades and made my heart pound. I was grounded for sure, and all because of Mrs. Shepley. If she had only let me make up those assignments. Even though it was my own fault for not turning in my work, I despised her. It wasn't until the next year that my attitude changed. I realized she was a lot like my Spanish teacher, Mrs. Santos, whom I admired. Even though there were major differences in their teaching styles and attitudes toward students, they both wanted their students to do the very best.

Rhetorical introductions

Like imaginative introductions, rhetorical introductions try to hook the reader, often by using a statistic, question, controversial statement, quotation or startling fact. Like functional introductions, rhetorical introductions are often short, using the rhetorical device to define and/or clarify the topic or focus. In argument essays, a telling or surprising piece of evidence may be used as a hook. The danger with rhetorical introductions is in asking a questions that is too simplistic or to which the answer is obvious.