What key questions should the introduction of an essay answer?

The introduction of an essay should effectively set the stage for what the reader can expect in the subsequent content. A well-crafted introduction typically addresses the subject of the essay, outlines how the essay will approach that subject, and presents a clear thesis statement that indicates what the essay intends to prove or discuss. This allows readers to understand the focus of the essay and how the argument or analysis will unfold.

The option that articulates these critical elements is particularly important because it provides clarity and direction. By identifying the subject matter, the approach to discussing it, and the argument or conclusions that will be drawn, the introduction lays a strong foundation for the rest of the essay. The reader is then equipped to engage more meaningfully with the content that follows.

In contrast, the other options either do not focus on the foundational elements of essay writing or are too simplistic or unrelated to the core structure of an academic essay. For instance, asking about a favorite book does not serve to engage with the topic of the essay itself, while inquiries about the author or the conclusion remove focus from the thesis and overall argument being developed in the introduction.