How to start an essay in 4 steps.
Learn how to start an essay with our useful essay starter sentences, words and introduction examples.
When it comes to starting an essay, planning can make all the difference. Not only can it help you define the main argument or thesis, but it can also help you work out a logical structure for your discussion, particularly how to approach your introduction.
Your introduction sets the scene for the entire essay and is a vital way to capture the reader’s attention and give them a preview of what’s to come. Read on to learn how to start an essay with Adobe Express. We’ll show you how to write an essay introduction in simple steps with helpful examples.
What makes a good essay introduction?
An essay introduction is the opening section of your essay. It plays a key role in engaging the reader, so it can help to include a hook that encourages them to read on. Your introduction should also provide context about your chosen topic and an overview of your main argument, before explaining what the reader can expect to learn.
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What should I include in an essay introduction?
Unsure what to include in your essay introduction? Here are some key elements of a strong essay introduction:
- Start with a hook. Grab your readers attention with an opening statement that encourages them to read on (this will typically form the first sentence).
- Provide background. Give a brief overview of your chosen topic to provide context for the reader.
- Outline your thesis. Offer an overview of your main argument or stance on your chosen topic.
- Preview the main points. Define the main points of your essay to help readers understand what they can expect to learn.
Top Tip: Keep the introduction, simple, relevant and to the point.
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Handy essay starter sentences and words to start your essay.
In need of inspiration? We’ve rounded up a couple of handy essay starter sentences below. These can be adapted to various topics.
- “In today’s world, [insert topic here] has become an important issue”.
- “[Insert topic here] plays an important role in the way we live and interact with the world.”
- “It is often said that [insert belief here] but does this still apply when we consider [insert a contrasting view here]”.
- “According to [insert source here], [insert relevant data or statistic here].
- “The debate between [insert concept A here] and [insert concept B here] continues to divide [insert relevant party here]
The following words and phrases can also be useful essay starters:
- “Interestingly”
- “Surprisingly”
- “Historically”
- “Traditionally”
- “In recent years”
- “It is often believed that”
- “There is growing evidence that”
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How to write an essay introduction – with examples.
1. Write a hook.
The first sentence of your introduction sets the entire tone of your essay, so it’s important to start with a strong opening. Avoid long, complex sentences and focus on writing something clear and concise. It's also important to avoid cliches and obvious facts here. These could make your work come across as unoriginal or mundane. Remember, the aim is to capture the attention of your readers and encourage them to read on to learn more.
For example:
“Social media has completely transformed the way we interact and communicate with one another.”
2. Add some background.
Next, provide your reader with context to help them understand the relevance and importance of your chosen topic. Depending on the focus of your essay, this may include:
- Historical, geographic or social context.
- An overview of the debate you’re covering.
- A summary of any relevant research or theories around the topic.
- A definition of key terms.
Don’t offer too much detail here, save your evidence and interpretation for the main bulk of your essay.
Example:
“The first social networking sites: Bolt and Six Degrees launched in 1997. But it wasn’t until networking sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook were introduced in the early 2000s that we really saw the true impact of social media. For example, in 2004 Facebook attracted over one million users within a year of launching. Fast forward to 2025 and social media has now become a key aspect of our daily lives across the globe. For example, 63.9 percent of the world’s population are active on social media.”
3. Craft an opening thesis statement.
The next step is to present your thesis statement. This will be a sentence or two that sums up your key argument. The goal here is to convey your personal stance in relation to a debate or your central argument about a topic.
For example:
“While social media has transformed the way in which we interact with one another and created innovative ways for us to seamlessly connect with people all over the world, it has also created a shift in the depth and authenticity of our relationships, particularly in the absence of face-to-face communication.”
4. Write a preview.
The final section of your introduction should lay out the structure of your essay. This can be a quick overview of what each section of your essay will cover.
Example:
“This essay begins by exploring the introduction of social networking in 1997. It then explores the rise of social media networks in the early 2000s and the widespread adaption of social media within the 21st century. Subsequently, it explores the impact of social media on human interaction and how it has changed the ways in which we interact and connect with one another.”
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How can Adobe Express help you start an essay?
Adobe Express makes starting an essay a breeze. Craft yours in no time with our helpful tools:
1. Map out your essay ideas.
Spider diagrams can be a helpful tool for brainstorming your ideas before you commit to writing. They can help you structure your key thoughts and make connections between ideas.
2. Make a timeline for your essay writing.
Keep on track of your essay writing with our free timeline templates. Creating a visual timeline for your essay can help you break down each section bit by bit, rather than trying to write the whole thing in one go.
3. Perfect your footnotes and references.
Footnotes and references are important components of an essay. Learn how to perfect your footnotes with our expert footnotes writing guide.
4. Customise your essay with icons, charts and fonts.
Visuals can help bring your essay to life. They can also make any supporting data you use appear more concise and presentable. Create impactful charts for your essay in minutes with Adobe Express.
5. Get more tips on how to write a strong essay.
Looking for ways to improve your essay writing skills? Learn how to write a strong essay in our dedicated guide.
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How to bring your essay to life.
Generate templates for the research phase of writing your essay with the Adobe Express AI Template Generator.
With the Adobe Express AI Template Generator, you can easily generate templates for the research phase of writing your essay. Just describe what you want to create in the text box and then edit the template to your preference. You can generate different variations, or work with the AI-generated template you like the most. What’s more, you can download and share your templates when you’re finished – perfect if you’re working on a group essay or project.
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