Before you start writing your compare and contrast essay, you need to have a perfectly clear idea of what you are going to speak about. The very essence of the compare and contrast project suggests that you choose two (or sometimes more) objects or situations to find similarities and differences they possess. You may have different goals, depending on your topic: to prove that the compared objects are similar, to prove that they are different, and so on. All this must be reflected in the introductory paragraph to your paper.
When to Write the Essay Intro
Professionals often recommend starting the intro when the main part of the text is already finished. It’s easier to speak about the goals of the project when you have the actual findings. You are free to choose another order of actions, however, if you are sure that the result of the research will match the goals that you have stated and that you won’t need to rewrite the introduction.
How to Compose a Winning Essay Introduction
- Use a hook.
- State your goals.
- Compose a nice thesis statement.
- Be laconic.
Hooks are interesting facts, which you mention in the intro but fully discover only in the body of the work. They help you keep your readers attracted to the project and interested in the further development of the research. You can also use questions as the hooks. Remember that they should sound controversial and debatable enough to keep your readers interested in the answers.
You shouldn’t do it like “I am going to speak about the similarities and differences of having rest by the sea and in the country”. It sounds quite dull and not professional. Use phrases like “Having rest out of the city has numerous advantages but what makes people choose the seaside instead of leaving for the countryside? What is so special about the sea? Are these locations as different as we are used to think about them?” You can see that such a paragraph contains hooks and statements at the same time. It sounds quite unusual and interesting for the people who want to see what follows.
The goal of this statement is to represent the idea and meaning of your work within one or two short but informative phrases. It’s better if it’s somewhat debatable because it’s another instrument that allows you to keep the attention of your readers.
The intro shouldn’t be long. Make sure that it contains only necessary and important information.