Writing an effective introduction for a descriptive essay poses challenges such as striking a balance between engaging the reader and providing an overview, choosing vivid descriptive language to set the tone, and finding a unique perspective to introduce the subject matter. Additionally, the introduction must be compelling enough to encourage readers to continue and establish the relevance and significance of the topic while maintaining cohesion with the rest of the essay. Crafting a descriptive essay introduction requires creativity, writing skills, and a thorough understanding of the topic to captivate readers and preview the direction of the essay.