Introductions
The introduction
should be designed to attract the reader's attention and give her an
idea of
the essay's focus.
Begin
with an
attention grabber. The attention grabber you use is up to you, but here
are
some ideas:
◦
Startling
information
◦
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.
◦
Anecdote
◦
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.
◦
Summary
Information
◦
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.
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.
Finish
the paragraph
with your thesis statement. Your
thesis statement can include predictors of your body paragraphs. If you choose to use predictors they
must:
¥ be in parallel structure
¥ be in the order that you put your
body
paragraphs in
If you
want to
practice writing an introduction, print
out
this
exercise.
Link to a webpage about body paragraphs and
other parts of an essay.