Essay Intro

How to Write an Essay Introduction 1. Lead-in ● A lead-in refers to the ‘beginning of a beginning’● The hardest part of writing for many students may be the starting on the first fewlines of their essays. How should we begin to write? There are a few ways to write a lead-in: 1. Discuss theimportance/significance of the topicin the question● In other words,why are/should we talk about thisissue? Why is it relevant or crucialfor us to start discussing about it? Example Qn: “Social media has made teenagers morevulnerable to the risks ofcyber-bullying. Do you agree?”● Your lead-in may explore theurgencyof addressingthe problemof cyberbullyinggiven howubiquitousthe usage of social mediaisamongst youths today. ● You may also briefly explainthenegative impactsof cyberbullying, such aspsychological trauma, social anxiety and emotional distress. Example paragraph:Social media platforms have becomeimmenselypopularwith youths these days, especially since they offer an endless flow ofentertainingcontentand theconvenienceof connecting with others.Worryingly, what has also been on therise is the number of cyberbullying incidents across the globe.Despite the benefitsofsocial media, these sites have made it easier for these teenagers tofall prey tomaliciouscyberbullying attacks.(To explain the why the problem will get worse)With more youths participatingin social media, it is likely that thetrendof cyberbullying willintensify. Governmentagencies, schools and parents have been discussing possible ways toremedy/rectify/addressthis problem of cyberbullying, given that victims often suffer fromlong-term psychological distress and anxiety.(to explain the consequences of this problem)

2. Define what the key terms mean to you/how thesekey terms are commonly understood● Explain what the important terms in the question mean to you, especially for broadterms that can be very subjective (e.g. “success” or “home”)● Example question (for subjective terms): What does home mean to you and whatare some qualities that makes up an ideal home environment?Defining what is ‘home’ to you:- A place of residence- A place for family-building (?)- A place where the individual can be truly themselves- A place where the individual feels safe and comfortable- A place where the individual is free to engage in their own hobbiesHow you answer the rest of the question must be aligned with your definition of‘home’ that you stated in your intro.- If home is a place meant for family building, then it should be well-furnished,have adequate facilities (e.g. rooms, kitchens, tables, etc.) and spacious enough forfamilies to sustain a decent lifestyle with.- If home is a place for the individual to feel safe & be themselves, then it should bewell-protected and free from constant surveillance.● Sometimes the question may not always contain a problem, and if so, you should tryto focus on explainingthethemeof the question Example Qn:Describe a place which means a great dealto you. Why is it soimportant?● The main theme of this question is aboutplacesandhow people often formemotional connectionsto them.● Your lead-in may explore the significance of places in people’s everyday lives andhow some of them may feel more important to us than others, depending on whatwe did in those places and the memories they hold. Example paragraph: We spend all of our lives in one place or another – be it our homes, workplace or public spaces.The places we spend time in will form thebackdrop to our memories. We may not always be aware of our surroundings,but every aspectof a place– from its smell, sights and

sounds –has an impact on our experiences. For many reasons, we may cherish some places more than others. It may be because it was where alife-changing momentoccurred for us, or it could have been wherewe sought refuge duringour darkest days. 2. Listing down your points ● Summarizethe key points you will be discussing inthe your essay● How this summary will look like depends on the essay type – an argumentative essaywill have a very different set of points compared to a narrative essay● In order to be pen down a short summary of your points, you should plan out yourpoints beforehand.● This summary of key points should not be more than 2sentences! Keep it clear and concise. Example Qn:What are the pros and cons of Home-BasedLearning? Discuss. <Part 1 of Intro/Lead-in: To describe the significance of HBL, why did HBL comeabout, what does HBL mean). <Part 2: summary key points> Some advantages of Home-Based Learningincludesstudents saving on travelling timeandtransportationcostsand beingable to learn from the comforts of their home. Onthe other hand,Home-Based Learning may havedrawbacks/disadvantages/limitationssuch asexcluding students without access to digital devicesand theunpredictablerisks of technological disruptions.