Start your introductory paragraph with a hook. This is a device that writers use to snag a reader's attention. The hook for your research paper or essay can include a surprising statement or fact. You can ask the reader a question, which you promise to answer in the body of your paper. Another option is to write a mini story at the beginning of your essay, an anecdote to get readers interested.
Introduce your topic to the reader. Avoid stating it directly by writing "this essay is about Texas toads." Instead, include a statistic about the number of toad species in the United States or a story about hunting for toads in Texas. Lead into your topic from there.
State your argument, if you have included one in your essay. Don't sound as if you doubt your own point of view. For example, if your paper is about the effects of the color red on psychology, you might introduce this argument with the statement that "teams that wear red uniforms are more aggressive, more confident and more effective on the field than teams that wear blue uniforms."
Keep your introductory paragraph short and sweet. Include only statistics and statements that help grab readers' attention and set up the body of your paper. Leave out unnecessary facts or details that could be included later. Readers will lose interest quickly if they have to wade through a lengthy introductory paragraph to get to the heart of the paper.