Research Essay - Introduction

Sentences:

1. Your hook: Ask a question, or have an interesting fact (or both)
1. Did you know the ancient Incan's made bridges out of ropes so they could burn the bridge down when their enemies came?
2.  Have you ever wondered about the ancient civilizations and the people who came before us?
2. Give some necessary background information: 
1. Such as when your ancient civilization took place. (The Ancient Incan civilization was alive and well between 1438 and 1532, before the Spainards arrived and took over.)
2. What caused the civilization to stop (Spainards arrived, bringing diseases and battles).
3. Anything else that will get your reader captivated, but isn't found elsewhere in your BODY paragraphs.
3. Thesis: Explain what your essay will be about. Here are a few examples:
1.  "In order to understand ancient ____________, we need to know about the geography, government, values and beliefs, and the people who were important." or 
2. "Ancient _______ is very interesting. Their geography, government, values and beliefs, and the people who lived during this time paint a picture of what life was like ______ years ago. 
3. This essay will discuss the important aspects of the ancient _______ civilization, such as geography, governement and economics, as well as the people and their beliefs and values. 

Introductory Paragraph Example:

          Have you ever wondered about the ancient civilizations and the people who came before us? The Ancient Inca Civilization was the largest ancient civilization in South America. The Incan civilization was alive and well between 1438 and 1532. In 1532 the Spainards arrived and subsequently caused most of the Incan civilization to die out, due to war and diseases, ending a very powerful rule of a large portion of South America. In order to understand the Ancient Incan civilization fully, we must examine the geography, government, and values and beliefs of the Incan people.