Introductions

What’s the Point of an Introduction?

1. To attract your reader’s interest

2. To present a thesis

Elements of an Introduction Something that is

engaging for your readers

Any necessary background context for your discussion

Topic and purpose (thesis)

Strategies for Writing Introductions#1: Open with some GENERAL INFORMATION

Example: Throughout Western Civilization, places such as

the ancient Greek agora, the New England town hall, the local church, the coffeehouse, the village square, and even the street corner have been arenas for debate on public affairs and society.

Strategies for Writing Introductions#2: Open with a QUOTATION

Example: There is a bumper sticker that reads, “Too bad

ignorance isn’t painful.” I like that. But ignorance is. We just seldom attribute the pain to it or even recognize it when we see it.

Strategies for Writing Introductions#3: Open with an

ANECDOTE

Example: I first met Angela Carter at a dinner in honor of the

Chilean writer José Donoso at the home of Liz Calder, who then published all of us. My first novel was soon to be published; it was the time of Angela’s darkest novel, The Passion of New Eve.

Strategies for Writing Introductions

#4: Open with a

QUESTION

Example: When will international phone calls be free?

Not anytime soon, bub. But when you eventually get your iPhone 4G, they should be included in your rate plan.

Strategies for Writing Introductions#5: Open with a STRONG OPINION

Example: Men need a men’s movement about as much as

women need chest hair. A brotherhood organized to counter feminists could be timely because – let’s be honest – women are no more naturally inclined to equality and fairness than men are.

Tip:

Introductions don’t have to be just one paragraph.

You can use the first paragraph to “hook” your readers and then introduce the relevance of the hook (i.e., your thesis) in the second

or even third paragraph(s).

The Trick:

Just don’t take too long to get there.

Don’t spend too much time on

“catchy” introductory methods;

get to your thesis as quickly as possible.