The introductory paragraph of an essay allows you to give your readers general information about your topic. This paragraph should contain a hook, which you can use to grab your reader’s attention, and a thesis statement, which outlines the main point or argument of your essay. Your introductory paragraph should also provide the reader with any necessary background information and a preview of the points you will be making in your paper. By the end of the paragraph, your reader should have a good understanding of what your essay is about and be interested in reading more.