What are the parts of an introduction paragraph?

1. The attention-getter (AG) is a sentence that grabs your reader's attention and interest, pulling him/her into the essay. It should not be overly general (try to avoid beginning with such sweeping statements as, "Since the beginning of time" or "Man has always...". Sometimes starting with an appropriate and thought-provoking quotation or saying can help grab the reader.

2. After you've grabbed your reader's attention, you must elaborate on this first sentence. Explain your point more fully, all the while leading the reader closer to your essay's main focus (the thesis). This section of the introduction is the longest. It should consist of several sentence (usually a minimum of three are required).

3. After you've elaborated on your AG you must make it clear how these ideas relate to your thesis. Transition smoothly from your introductory remarks into a mention of the thesis by explaining that these ideas are evident in the novel you are discussing.

4. State your thesis. It should be the last sentence of your introductory paragraph

Source: http:/fclass.vaniercollege.qc.ca/~kingsmip/tolkien/FOTR_Intro.htm