Begin your essay intriguingly. Cite an unusual or startling statistic, ask a provocative question or allude to a quotation that sums up your case credibly. Alternatively, transport your readers to a different circumstance to stimulate a new way of thinking. For example, pose a rhetorical "what if" question, confront a common misconception or depict a perplexing scenario. Choose an introductory technique that will appeal to your readers.
Craft your first sentence carefully. Avoid beginning with a dictionary definition or by stating your essay's purpose. Rather, present useful information in an interesting way. For example, "Did you know that Americans work more hours and produce less today than their grandparents did fifty years ago?"
Develop your opening statement convincingly. For example, provide labor statistics that illustrate the increasing number of hours Americans have spent on the job over the last century. Cite other studies that depict a declining trend in the average American worker's productivity and leisure time. Speak with authority and confidence to hold your readers' attention.
Provide a transition to your thesis statement. Gradually narrow the focus on your subject and touch on its implications. For example, write "While losing the work-life balance enjoyed by previous generations is regrettable, it might still be modestly acceptable if it led to greater worker productivity. Unfortunately, it does not."
Conclude your introduction with a clear statement of your thesis. For example, "To increase productivity, American employers should provide more opportunities for workers to balance work with leisure. Fortunately, three prominent American companies, each a global leader in its field, provide replicable human resource programs that U.S. businesses can adapt. These companies are (a), (b) and (c)."