Question

What is the single most important goal to accomplish during the introduction of an essay

Answer 1

The most important goal is to grab the readers attention and introduce the topic or what will the essay be about.

Answer 2

The important goal that has to be accomplished in an essay's introduction is to define the author's intention and the main topic that is going to be discussed throughout the body paragraphs.

This goal is achieved through the definition of the essay's purpose and its structure (contrasting, analytical, persuasive, etc.) established in the thesis statement.