An introduction serves as a roadmap for the rest of your essay. It should provide background information on the topic, introduce your main arguments, and provide a sense of the direction that your essay will take. A strong introduction should also set the stage for your conclusion, giving the reader a sense of the "big picture" of your essay.
There are a few key elements that you should include in any introduction. First, you should provide some context or background information on your topic. This will help the reader understand the context in which you are writing and provide a frame of reference for your arguments. For example, if you are writing an essay on the history of the Civil Rights Movement, you might begin by providing some background on the social and political climate of the time.
Next, you should introduce your main arguments or points. This will give the reader an idea of the focus of your essay and help them to understand what you will be discussing. It is a good idea to list your main points in the form of a thesis statement, which is a sentence or two that summarizes your main arguments. For example, you might write: "In this essay, I will argue that the Civil Rights Movement was a turning point in American history because it led to significant legal and social changes, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965."
Finally, you should give the reader a sense of the direction that your essay will take. This can be done through a preview of your main points, or by providing a roadmap of the structure of your essay. For example, you might write: "In the following sections, I will discuss the events leading up to the Civil Rights Movement, the key figures and organizations involved, and the lasting impact of the movement on American society."
Overall, the introduction is an important part of your essay, as it sets the stage for the rest of your paper. By providing context, introducing your main arguments, and giving the reader a sense of the direction of your essay, you can help ensure that your essay is clear, focused, and well-organized.