1.- PARAGRAPH 1: INTRODUCTION:

Start an advantages and disadvantages essay by giving a general description of the topic. You do not need to go into details but try to provide general information to familiarize the reader with the topic.

This is an example of an introduction to the topic "Advantages and disadvantages of the internet":

Although the internet offers an amazing entretainment, it makes communication easier and provides a lot of fantastic learning resources for all of us, actually there are a number of reasons which make it potentially dangerous and we must be aware of it. Let's examine the pros and drawbacks of the Internet in this essay.

This is another example to introduce the topic "Advantages and disadvantages of working abroad":

Although it is now fairly common for young people to leave their own countries in order to find work abroad, actually we can find some advantages and disadvantages in the choice that is made. Let's examine them.

As you see, the introduction allows us to state the topic of the essay. It doesn't need to be long.

TIPS:

1.- Don't give your personal opinion in the introduction. So, you mustn't use expressions like: "I think ...", "I believe ..." in the introduction.

2.- Try to make the reader want to keep on reading.

3.- If you have problems with your introduction try using the "Although ... actually" format.