How can I write an introduction that captures the attention of an examiner immediately?

Creating a really gripping introduction for your essay is actually easier than you may think! Really, you only need three sentences arranged in a particular way and you'll be able to draw your reader in instantly. Your introduction needs to be shaped like a funnel - so your first sentence needs to be fairly broad in order to draw your reader in, whetting their appetite and getting them interested. Your second sentence makes the reader comfortable - you've grabbed their attention, now they need to settle down ready to engage with the rest of your essay. Finally, the third sentence is your thesis statement - it's here that you actually want to state what you will be arguing in your essay. This is an example of a funnel introduction for an essay about the adaptations of giraffes:Giraffes are highly unusual animals, in that they have an extremely elongated neck - in fact, it can measure up to two metres in length! This extremely long neck is very useful since it enables them to reach food high up in the trees. Indeed, giraffes are adapted in many and various ways, each of which enable them to thrive in their natural habitat. So, that funnel introduction opens your essay in a clear, concise way which will definitely draw your reader in. Start with an opening sentence, expand a bit to make a bridge between the opening and your thesis, and then state your thesis. Easy!