Writing an Introduction That Frames the Argument

The introduction does more than begin the essay; it frames the entire investigation. A well-crafted introduction tells the examiner exactly what question is being asked, why it is worth asking, and how the essay will go about answering it. This lesson explains what an effective EE introduction contains and how to write one that sets the essay up to succeed.

State the research question clearly

The most important job of the introduction is to present the research question explicitly and early. The reader should not have to guess what the essay is about; the question should appear plainly, usually within the first page. Stating it directly signals focus and gives the reader a lens through which to read everything that follows. An introduction that circles a topic without ever committing to a