How would I write a strong introduction to a persuasive essay for my coursework?

For a persuasive essay at Higher level you want to begin with an introduction that will really capture the attention of the reader. You also want to set up the main argument of your essay without giving too much detail away. Furthermore, markers ultimately will be looking at how persuasive your writing style is from this start, so by beginning with a few techniques in the introduction such as varied sentence structure, rhetorical questions, tricolonic statements and a clear line of thought you'll be off to a good start! Below is an example of an intro to a persuasive essay on the current dangers to the environment with details of how it's written:
'In 2012 the world was supposed to end. Internet sites went crazy, newspapers screamed deadlines and fear tread quietly at the heels of the world as we waited to see if ancient Mayan cave scribbles were correct.' By beginning with a short grabbing sentence the reader is instantly engaged.Vivid imagery and a tricolonic statement makes this an engaging start to the intro-- the writer is beginning to paint a picture, which will evoke a strong empathetic reaction to their argument making the essay more persuasive.The word choice of 'scribbles' is humorous and makes for a starker comparison between the 2012 and 2019 date 'In 2019, the amazon rainforest is burning and we take one step closer to the expiry date of our earth. 'A statistic here, along with the dates included so far, lets the marker know early on that you've done your research and that this will be an informed essay. ' Yet articles, newspapers and experts are ignored. But why? Why do we listen to the paper rather than the professionals? Why do we only feel threatened when we think the world is ending tomorrow and not in the future?'This series of rhetorical questions forces the reader to think--by bringing the argument back to the reader this early on it encourages them to think empathetically and sets up a rapport between the reader and writer throughout the essay.This rapport is furthered by the use of the collective pronoun 'we' within the rhetorical questions-- this sets up a comfortable barrier between the writer and the reader as 'we' unites rather than alienates the reader, making the reader more likely to side with your argument.'You do not have to be a detective to realise we are hiding from the truth. Instead we are deciding to pollute the air because that would never make ice melt in Antartica; we put oil rigs out in the oceans because animals couldn't possibly be harmed by a little oil spill; and we cut down rainforests simply because we need paper.'the use of sarcasm here, within a tricolonic statement, introduces a strong persuasive voice. Furthermore, it brings a little humour to the introduction, creating vary within the writing style.'Sarcasm aside, the simple truth is that we are in the wrong. If we ever have any chance of saving the world we live in, people have to stop running away and start facing up to facts. Changes have to be made.'the writer finishes by stamping their 'clear line of thought'--that we are running away from facts and that urgent environmental action must be takenthe writer addresses the audience directlythe short cesurae of the final line mirrors the short engaging start and finalises the persuasive and urgent voice of the writer that they will go on to use throughout the essay.