Introductions
A strong introduction presents the topic, attracts the reader's attention, and explains the importance and relevance of the topic. In your introduction, begin to gradually narrow down the topic and focus by introducing the specific elements of your paper, such as sources or perspectives on the topic analyzed in the paper. Finally, the introduction may end with a thesis statement, which identifies the issue and shows the side or argument that the essay will follow.
An introduction does
| An introduction does not
|
|---|---|
Define your purpose | List everything that is in your essay |
Focus your topic | Present specific details of the argument or issue which will be discussed in the essay |
Engage your reader’s interest | Give a full report on the entire history of a particular issue |
Establish a common understanding | Discuss a topic other than that developed in the essay |
Introduce the topic, purpose, and intended reader |
|
Tips for Writing Introductions:
- Start with a general idea and use the introduction as a free writing exercise to get into the body of the paper.
- Go back and revise the introduction after you have finished the paper to make sure the style and the promises it makes follow through in your paper.
- Alternatively, you may start by writing the body of the paper with just the thesis in mind.
- Then, once you have completed the paper, go back and write the introduction last to align with the body of the paper.