How to write a strong introduction to a history essay?

The introduction is key to making your essay stand out. Mastering a technique for writing introductions will help your confidence in essay writing generally, as you set out a clear structure and argument from the start. Begin by directly addressing the question, either by agreeing, disagreeing, or challenging it. You want to show your reader that you are engaging with the question, and it will be particularly impressive if you are able to reflect on the question itself - why is it an important question to ask? Is it too simplistic? Explain the structure of your essay in a few lines, ideally with three points or themes which you intend to examine - 'signposting' them, so that it is clear to the reader what the main body of the essay is made up of. Finally, state your thesis and briefly explain why you think this is the most convincing argument. Ensure that your introduction is concise and clear so as to capture your reader's curiosity. *Tip: It will be extra impressive to the reader if you outline in a couple of sentences the most prominent schools of thought / historiography on your subject.