How do I write an introduction

A good introduction will simultaneously outline the argument your essay will take and acknowledge the question. Your individual take on the question should be apparent from the introduction e.g. whether you support or disagree with the statement made and and to what extent, as this helps your essay to appear logical, however your final judgement on the question should be in the conclusion. Before you can write your introduction you must first plan your essay by coming up with four or five separate points which answer the question. These points should be mentioned in your introduction in the order you intend to write about them as not only does this make it clear to the examiner that you have planned your essay but it ensures a coherent structure to your writing. You shouldn't have a set introduction that you use for every essay as each introduction should be tailored to the specific question. However, it can help to have an idea of an introduction you would use if a certain topic came up e.g. if the question asked about 'abuse of power in love' you can have already formed ideas in advance. Due to the time pressure in exams you should aim to keep your introduction short and succinct, allowing you to dedicate your time to the main body of the essay where most marks will be rewarded. Opening with a critical quote is a good method for starting an introduction as it shows that you have done research outside of the texts and are able to engage with critical material from the start. However, it is essential that you still outline your own argument to ensure that your voice is apparent.