The Introduction in a Persuasive Essay.

Remembering that the introduction is to “lead the reader in” to the topic and the thesis statement, the following devices may be used:

(1) Fill in the background of the topic. If you want the reader to accept that “extending tax credits for the wealthy will improve the country’s economy,” you will want to cite instances in the past where it worked this way. In other words, the history of the topic. Also, statistics can be used here to get the reader ready for the thesis statement.

(2) Also, providing a setting for the thesis is useful. If your thesis is “Vote for John Jones for governor,” you’ll want to talk about what’s going on in the state that his policies will remedy. Also, policies proposed by the competing candidate or candidates may be refuted here.

(3) A story or anecdote can grad the reader’s interest. A story about a family that is suffering because of current policy, which the candidate is proposing to remedy, for example.