GreatEssays!
Great Intros
The most important part of the essay. Grab the reader by the throat and don't let go.
The rest is easy.
The Physics of Snowboarding
Matthew A.
I was brought up in Brooklyn, which is not exactly known for its alpine peaks. My first experience on the snow involved sledding down a hill in Prospect Park. I remember using the lid of a garbage can as my sled. Even so, I was hooked. This love for snow and speed led to my first ski lessons. However, during my first tentative runs down the bunny hill, I noticed a different set of people. These individuals seemed to surf down the mountain, making sharp turns and spins. They were glamorous, fearless. They seemed to defy the laws of physics. I knew right then and there that I wanted to be like them. What I did not realize was that it was not going to be easy.
This introductory paragraph is special for several reasons:
Relatable Personal Story: Matthew begins with a personal anecdote, grounded in his upbringing in urban Brooklyn, a place not typically associated with snow or skiing. This immediately sets a scene that many readers can relate to: discovering something new, outside of one's familiar environment. The mention of sledding with a garbage can lid creates an authentic, relatable moment that feels both humorous and endearing.
Progression of Interest: The paragraph smoothly transitions from a childhood curiosity to a growing passion. The initial experience with snow and sledding is framed as the spark that ignites Matthew’s love for snow and speed, which naturally progresses into ski lessons. This progression shows Matthew’s enthusiasm and commitment to trying new things, highlighting a growth mindset.
The "Glamorous" Snowboarders: The description of the more experienced snowboarders adds an intriguing layer. Matthew contrasts his own tentative efforts with the graceful, almost otherworldly ability of the snowboarders who "seemed to surf down the mountain" and "defy the laws of physics." This comparison conveys admiration and desire, giving insight into Matthew’s drive to push past his own limits. The use of the words “glamorous” and “fearless” conveys a sense of aspiration and the allure of mastering a new skill.
Foreshadowing of Challenges: The final line, "What I did not realize was that it was not going to be easy," subtly foreshadows the struggles Matthew will face in trying to emulate those glamorous snowboarders. This hints at the theme of perseverance and determination, setting the stage for an essay that will likely explore Matthew’s journey of overcoming obstacles.
Humor and Self-Awareness: The casual tone, particularly with the mention of using a garbage can as a sled, injects humor into the story. This makes the paragraph feel approachable and genuine. Matthew doesn’t take himself too seriously, which creates a sense of relatability and self-awareness.
Overall, this paragraph is special because it balances personal narrative, aspiration, and foreshadowing with humor and self-awareness. It sets up a dynamic story that promises to explore growth, resilience, and the challenges of achieving something new. The specific imagery and relatable tone make the reader feel connected to Matthew's journey from curiosity to pursuit of excellence.
Example 2
Cooking Up a Storm
Nick R.
The sound of a knife hitting the cutting board fills the kitchen—steady, rhythmic, totally familiar. The aroma of yellow plantains slowly caramelizing in the frying pan mixes with the smell of marinated chicken. My mother is cooking up a storm. She’s been on her feet since 6 a.m.; first at work, cleaning two apartments, then at the gym, working out, but you’d never guess it by the energy and love she puts into preparing dinner for my sister, my dad and me. Her hands move fast—chopping the onions, gathering them on the flat of the blade and adding them to the pot—each movement is done with care and precision. The aroma of frijoles, of sazonado de la carne fills the apartment. In another life, my mother could have been a Michelin-starred chef.
This introductory paragraph stands out for several key reasons:
Sensory Richness: The paragraph engages multiple senses right from the start. The sound of the knife on the cutting board, the smell of plantains and chicken, and the description of the fast, purposeful movements of the mother’s hands create a vibrant, sensory experience for the reader. These details ground the reader in the setting and bring the scene to life with vivid imagery.
Focus on Family & Care: The description of the mother preparing a meal is imbued with love and dedication. Nick emphasizes the mother’s energy and care in cooking, despite having already had a long, busy day. This sets up a portrait of a selfless and hardworking figure, giving readers a sense of Nick’s deep appreciation for her.
Cultural Context: The use of specific foods like plantains, marinated chicken, and frijoles adds a layer of cultural specificity to the paragraph. It hints at Nick’s background, connecting the act of cooking to family traditions, cultural identity, and a sense of belonging. It also gives the reader a sense of Nick’s heritage without explicitly stating it, allowing cultural richness to emerge naturally through the description.
Sense of Routine and Comfort: The paragraph’s pacing, particularly with the mention of the "steady, rhythmic" sound of the knife and the "familiar" smells, conveys a sense of comfort and routine. The kitchen becomes a space of familiarity and stability, where the ordinary acts of cooking are imbued with meaning and warmth. This helps establish a connection between Nick and his family’s rituals, suggesting that these moments are central to his sense of home.
Subtle Emotional Depth: Beyond just the depiction of a typical scene in a home, the paragraph subtly explores the idea of sacrifice and love. The mother, despite her exhausting day, continues to pour energy into caring for her family. This speaks to themes of selflessness, devotion, and love within the family dynamic.
Overall, this paragraph is special because it combines sensory detail with emotional depth, cultural specificity, and admiration for a key figure in Nick’s life. The mother’s cooking is not just a daily chore but a symbol of care, love, and sacrifice. Through this snapshot of family life, the paragraph sets the stage for a deeper exploration of values, identity, and connection.
Example 3
Finding a Balance
Elias E.
It’s a Friday morning in July. I’m sitting on my grandmother’s terrace in the Moroccan countryside, on one of my annual visits to my father’s homeland. This year, however, is different. Instead of spending the summer in the bustling city of Casablanca, my jaditi, my grandma, has returned to Essaouira, her place of birth in the countryside. As I take in the beauty of the argan trees surrounding the house, I see our Berber neighbors leading their goats down the road and going about their daily activities. The blazing sun casts stark shadows across the dry landscape. My life feels full of contrasts. I try to be a part of this place and culture while I am here, but I come with another identity as well. I seek to find a balance and understand how I can inhabit these two worlds.
This introductory paragraph stands out in several notable ways:
Strong Sense of Place: The opening line immediately grounds the reader in a specific time and place—“a Friday morning in July” and “sitting on my grandmother’s terrace in the Moroccan countryside.” The details of location (the Moroccan countryside, Essaouira, the argan trees, Berber neighbors, goats) create an evocative image of the scene, transporting the reader to that particular moment.
Personal Connection: The mention of Elias' jaditi (grandmother) and his connection to his father’s homeland create a personal and intimate touch. This is not just a generic travel experience, but a meaningful annual visit, which signals a deeper emotional bond with the place and family. The use of “my jaditi” instead of just “grandmother” adds a layer of cultural specificity and warmth.
Conflict of Identity: The sentence "My life feels full of contrasts" encapsulates Elias' inner struggle. This emotional tension is key in essays, as it hints at the exploration of personal identity and cultural duality. Elias acknowledges the challenge of balancing two worlds—one that is rooted in a Moroccan heritage and one influenced by another part of his identity. This adds depth and complexity to the paragraph, suggesting that the essay will explore a journey of self-discovery.
Atmospheric Detail & Symbolism: The "blazing sun" and "stark shadows" are not just physical descriptions; they also metaphorically reflect the internal contrasts and complexity of the narrator's experience.
Foreshadowing of the Essay's Theme: The final sentence, "I seek to find a balance and understand how I can inhabit these two worlds," serves as a thesis of sorts for the essay, providing a preview of the personal exploration that will follow. The balance between identities and cultures hints at a deeper theme of growth, adaptation, and understanding.
In sum, this paragraph is special because it combines vivid imagery with an exploration of personal identity and cultural tension. It sets up an engaging narrative that promises self-reflection, emotional depth, and an insightful journey into Elias' experience with his dual cultural heritage. The balance between the specific (the setting) and the universal (struggles with identity) is what makes this intro compelling and relatable.
Example 4
Trunk or Treat
Christian B.
I knew the kid named Derek was going to be trouble the moment I laid eyes on him. He had sparkly eyes, a gap-toothed smile and he couldn’t stop talking. He seemed more interested in the candy jar in my hands than the Bible stories I was supposed to teach. “This is going to be a long day,” I thought to myself. I had agreed to volunteer at an event at my church called Trunk Or Treat. Members of my church had created Biblical scenes in the trunks of their cars using household objects. My station was a beige 2007 Toyota Camry, belonging to my friend’s mom. The trunk of her car told the story of the Creation. We had used a cardboard box as the base. We had painted it blue to represent water and green to represent nature. We had chosen plastic toys to illustrate the creation of animals. Two action figures stood in for Adam and Eve.
This introductory paragraph is special for a few key reasons:
Relatable Personal Connection: Christian’s story begins with a clear, personal experience—volunteering at a church event. The reader can immediately connect with the experience of volunteering or participating in community activities, particularly those tied to family, tradition, or faith. The specificity of the event, Trunk or Treat, and the details about creating Biblical scenes through household objects, set the stage for a relatable and vivid scene.
Characterization & Tone: Christian’s first impression of Derek establishes a tone of humor and skepticism. The way Christian immediately identifies Derek as "trouble" with playful details like his "sparkly eyes" and "gap-toothed smile" adds personality to the story. This moment of lighthearted judgment sets up an expectation for conflict or an interesting interaction that keeps the reader engaged.
Creative Visual Imagery: The description of the “beige 2007 Toyota Camry” and the process of setting up the trunk to depict the story of Creation is visually rich. The colors of the painted cardboard box, the use of toy animals, and action figures for Adam and Eve create a charmingly imperfect, DIY visual that is easy to imagine. This not only gives the reader a sense of the event’s setting but also shows how Christian is working with limited resources to create something meaningful.
Foreshadowing of Learning and Growth: The contrast between the seemingly chaotic situation with Derek and the creative, community-driven task of volunteering hints at a deeper narrative arc. The moment starts with uncertainty (Christian’s skepticism about Derek) but leads into a creative and collaborative process. This dynamic suggests that Christian’s journey will involve overcoming challenges (like dealing with Derek) and finding growth in unexpected places (like volunteering).
Humor & Self-Awareness: Christian’s acknowledgment of his initial thought, "This is going to be a long day," brings humor into the narrative. It signals a self-aware tone, as Christian seems to anticipate challenges but is still willing to engage in the situation. The humor is relatable and gives the essay a down-to-earth, approachable feel.
In summary, this paragraph is special because it blends humor, vivid imagery, and a personal experience in a way that is both engaging and relatable. It hints at an unfolding story about growth, creativity, and community, while also providing a snapshot of Christian's personality through his light-hearted, somewhat skeptical tone. The use of sensory details and humor helps create a memorable opening that invites the reader to continue learning about Christian’s journey.