How do I write a strong introduction for my coursework?

The structure of an introduction is simple and should follow these lines: ‘In light of this question, this is the argument I am going to make, and I intend to make it in this way’. In order to ensure it is not as boring as this however, I find the trick is to write the introduction last. This is because the intro should highlight and reflect the colourful points of your argument, which you are not going to know until you’ve finished the essay. For example, by responding to a question such as ‘How is the narrative voice used in Frankenstein’ by simply saying, ‘I shall explore the ways that narrative voice is used in Frankenstein by looking at voice, then looking at character and ending with plot’, you are telling the examiner what your about to think about. Instead you want to tell them what you’ve already thought about, and what you are going to now relay to them. You should therefore present the argument you’ve made in the body of your essay, in your introduction. Again, for example: ‘I shall argue that by using a frame narrative, Shelley consciously creates unreliable voices, which makes it hard for the reader to gain a full understanding of the characters; thus making it impossible for a reader to love or hate them’. Furthermore, to ensure your examiner is with you throughout the essay, be sure to include them through your language: ‘Through exploring the use of the frame narrative in relation to the building of a character and plot, we shall begin to see …’ Ultimately writing a good introduction is writing a good essay in miniature: try to tell the examiner something they haven’t heard before - or in a different way - and do it in a clear, concise and organised manner.