Writing+-+Introductions

How to Write an Introduction

- An introduction is the most important part of an essay as it sets the standard and lets the reader know what you have in store for them. Writing a catchy or surprising introduction is a must for a good essay and should leave your audience wanting more.

__ Instructions __ 1. Gather your material together and review your plan and layout to know exactly what you are going to include in your introduction. It shouldn't contain facts or lots of description as you should save this for the main body. 2. Start with a question, quotation or surprising and controversial statement that will immediately grab the attention of the reader. Keep in mind that whoever is reading or marking your essay will have many others, so your essay should stand out by grabbing attention from the beginning. 3. Keep the introduction brief by adopting a light tone and staying away from long-winded explanations. Your introduction shouldn't be a summary of everything in your essay but it should ask the question you are going to answer or explain the problem that you will discuss, without actually doing so. 4. Use correct language and grammar and avoid slang or paraphrasing unless it directly relates to the topic of your essay. Ensure that the introduction is structurally correct and arranged into manageable sentences and paragraphs. Read it through aloud to check it is easy to follow and the words flow naturally together. 5. Finish with a final statement or question that should lead naturally and automatically to the main body of your essay. Some people prefer to write their introduction after the essay but if you do this, beware of repeating what is going to follow. Leave your audience with a sense of anticipation that makes them want to continue to the end.

Read more: How to Write an Introduction for an Essay | eHow.com

**More Info on Intros ** The introduction should start with a general discussion of your subject and lead to a very specific statement of your main point, or thesis. Sometimes an essay begins with a "grabber," such as a challenging claim, or surprising story to catch a reader's attention. The thesis should tell in one (or at most two) sentence(s), what your overall point or argument is, and briefly, what your main body paragraphs will be about. For example, in an essay about the importance of airbags in cars, the introduction might start with some information about car accidents and survival rates. It might also have a grabber about someone who survived a terrible accident because of an airbag. The thesis would briefly state the main reasons for recommending airbags, and each reason would be discussed in the main body of the essay. The introduction should be designed to attract the reader's attention and give him/her an idea of the essay's focus. >  This information must be true and verifiable, and it doesn't need to be totally new to your readers. It could simply be a pertinent fact that explicitly illustrates the point you wish to make. > If you use a piece of startling information, follow it with a sentence or two of elaboration. >  An anecdote is a story that illustrates a point. Be sure your anecdote is short, to the point, and relevant to your topic. This can be a very effective opener for your essay, but use it carefully. >  An appropriate dialogue does not have to identify the speakers, but the reader must understand the point you are trying to convey. Use only two or three exchanges between speakers to make your point. > Follow dialogue with a sentence or two of elaboration. >  A few sentences explaining your topic in general terms can lead the reader gently to your thesis. Each sentence should become gradually more specific, until you reach your thesis. **Introduction (part 2) ** First impressions are so important. How many times have you heard that? It is true that the first impression—whether it’s a first meeting with a person or the first sentence of a paper—sets the stage for a lasting opinion. The introductory paragraph of any paper, long or short, should start with a sentence that piques the interest of your readers. In a typical essay, that first sentence leads into two or three sentences that provide details about your subject or your process. To get your paper off to a great start, you should try to have a first sentence that engages your reader. Think of your first sentence as a hook that draws your reader in. It is your big chance to be so clever that your reader can’t stop. As you researched your topic, you probably discovered many interesting anecdotes, quotes, or trivial facts. This is exactly the sort of thing you should use for an engaging introduction. Consider these ideas for creating a strong beginning. In each example, the first sentence draws the reader in to find out how the interesting fact leads to a point. You can use many methods to capture your reader’s interest.
 * 1) <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Begin with an attention grabber. The attention grabber you use is up to you, but here are some ideas:
 * **<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Startling information **
 * **<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Anecdote **
 * **<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Dialogue **
 * **<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Summary Information **
 * 1) <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">If the attention grabber was only a sentence or two, add one or two more sentences that will lead the reader from your opening to your thesis statement.
 * 2) <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Finish the paragraph with your thesis statement.
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Your First Sentence **
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Surprising fact: **<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;"> //The pentagon has twice as many bathrooms as are necessary.// The famous government building was constructed in the 1940s, when segregation laws required that separate bathrooms be installed for people of African descent. This building isn’t the only American icon that harkens back to this embarrassing and hurtful time in our history. Across the United States there are many examples of leftover laws and customs that reflect the racism that once permeated American society.
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Humor: **<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;"> //When my older brother substituted fresh eggs for our hard-boiled Easter eggs, he didn’t realize our father would take the first crack at hiding them.// My brother’s holiday ended early that particular day in 1991, but the rest of the family enjoyed the warm April weather, outside on the lawn, until late into the evening. Perhaps it was the warmth of the day and the joy of eating Easter roast while Tommy contemplated his actions that make my memories of Easter so sweet. Whatever the true reason, the fact is that my favorite holiday of the year is Easter Sunday.
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Quotation: **//<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;"> Hillary Rodham Clinton once said that “There cannot be true democracy unless women's voices are heard.” //<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;"> In 2006, when Nancy Pelosi became the nation’s first female Speaker of the House, one woman’s voice rang out clear. With this development, democracy grew to its truest level ever in terms of women’s equality. The historical event also paved the way for Senator Clinton as she warmed her own vocal chords in preparation for a presidential race.
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Finding the Hook **
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Curiosity: **//<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;"> A duck’s quack doesn’t echo. //<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Some people might find a deep and mysterious meaning in this fact …
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Definition: **<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;"> //A homograph is a word with two or more pronunciations.// Produce is one example …
 * <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Anecdote: **//<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Yesterday morning I watched as my older sister left for school with a bright white glob of toothpaste gleaming on her chin. I felt no regret at all until she stepped onto the bus //<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;"> …