Writing an Effective Introduction



Writing an Effective Introduction

A strong introduction should grab the reader’s attention, incite her/his interest and make the reader curious/care about what is to come. In addition, it should provide the reader with a preview of the structure of the information in the essay (let the reader know what she/he can expect to encounter and when she/he will come across it in the writing).

Step 1: Broad Statement Begin with a broad statement about the world, people, life,

etc. (This statement may be a statement about your specific

theme, topic, or work. However, it should be worded in a way that connects your paper to a “larger” issue or topic)

You may NOT use 1st or 2nd person pronouns (I, me, we, us,

our, you, your, etc.), and you may NOT use a question!

Step 2: Works Introduce the works you are discussing. Author, Title, dates,

any other information (Remember to keep this sentence in

line with your opening sentence. This is not a technical sentence. Needs transition)

Step 3: Topic General introduction of your subtopics/focus of your paper

Step 4: Thesis Your thesis statement is a statement, NOT a question!

Example

1. Essential question: In Of Mice and Men, who sacrifices himself?

Answer: George

Essential question #2: How does George sacrifice himself?

Answer: Friendship

Employment

Dream

Thesis: George sacrifices himself by giving up employment, forgoing

friendships and killing his dream.

Paragraph:

In life people sacrifice themselves for those they care about. John Steinbeck’s novel, Of Mice and Men depicts the sacrifice of one of the main characters, George. George, a migrant farm worker, has the burden of caring for his mentally retarded friend, Lennie. Caring for Lennie leads George from one farm to the next. Because he is forced to move about, George is unable to form relationships. Ultimately, Lennie’s disability causes the twosome to lose their dream of a farm of their own. Through out their relationship, George sacrifices himself by giving up employment, forgoing friendships and killing his dreams.

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Even when one knows that consequences for his actions exist, it can be difficult to restrain angry outbursts. Unfortunately such restraint requires first learning the difficult lesson of exile from the group before a person begins to exercise self control in moments of furry and passion. Kerry Jones’ novel, Tragedy of Teen depicts the journey from rash actor to self-disciplined thinker. Set in the 1980’s, the story follows Key Brain, an angry, teen gang member who evolves from a violent hothead into a rational man. Brain suffers the loss of family members, including his pet and brother, Chihuahua Charlie when he throws him out the window in a fit of rage. His anger not only causes the loss of his family members, but it also results in the death of the love of his life, Gurly Frend. Most importantly, Brain’s anger leads his fellow B Ruff gang members to exile him from the group. Only once Key Brain hits bottom and becomes lonely and desperate is he able to turn his life around. Although Key Brain’s anger leads him to lose everyone about whom he cares, he does gain control of his rage and become a responsible citizen.

B________________________________

define:

Even when one knows that consequences for his actions exist, it can be difficult to restrain angry outbursts. Unfortunately such restraint requires first learning the difficult lesson of exile from the group before a person begins to exercise self control in moments of furry and passion. Kerry Jones’ novel, Tragedy of Teen depicts the journey from rash actor to self-disciplined thinker. Set in the 1980’s, the story follows Key Brain, an angry, teen gang member who evolves from a violent hothead into a rational man. Brain suffers the loss of family members, including his pet and brother, Chihuahua Charlie when he throws him out the window in a fit of rage. His anger not only causes the loss of his family members, but it also results in the death of the love of his life, Gurly Frend. Most importantly, Brain’s anger leads his fellow B Ruff gang members to exile him from the group. Only once Key Brain hits bottom and becomes lonely and desperate is he able to turn his life around. Although Key Brain’s anger leads him to lose everyone about whom he cares, he does gain control of his rage and become a responsible citizen.

Introduce ____________________________

define:

Even when one knows that consequences for his actions exist, it can be difficult to restrain angry outbursts. Unfortunately such restraint requires first learning the difficult lesson of exile from the group before a person begins to exercise self control in moments of furry and passion. Kerry Jones’ novel, Tragedy of Teen depicts the journey from rash actor to self-disciplined thinker. Set in the 1980’s, the story follows Key Brain, an angry, teen gang member who evolves from a violent hothead into a rational man. Brain suffers the loss of family members, including his pet and brother, Chihuahua Charlie when he throws him out the window in a fit of rage. His anger not only causes the loss of his family members, but it also results in the death of the love of his life, Gurly Frend. Most importantly, Brain’s anger leads his fellow B Ruff gang members to exile him from the group. Only once Key Brain hits bottom and becomes lonely and desperate is he able to turn his life around. Although Key Brain’s anger leads him to lose everyone about whom he cares, he does gain control of his rage and become a responsible citizen.

T________________________________

define:

Even when one knows that consequences for his actions exist, it can be difficult to restrain angry outbursts. Unfortunately such restraint requires first learning the difficult lesson of exile from the group before a person begins to exercise self control in moments of furry and passion. Kerry Jones’ novel, Tragedy of Teen depicts the journey from rash actor to self-disciplined thinker. Set in the 1980’s, the story follows Key Brain, an angry, teen gang member who evolves from a violent hothead into a rational man. Brain suffers the loss of family members, including his pet and brother, Chihuahua Charlie when he throws him out the window in a fit of rage. His anger not only causes the loss of his family members, but it also results in the death of the love of his life, Gurly Frend. Most importantly, Brain’s anger leads his fellow B Ruff gang members to exile him from the group. Only once Key Brain hits bottom and becomes lonely and desperate is he able to turn his life around. Although Key Brain’s anger leads him to lose everyone about whom he cares, he does gain control of his rage and become a responsible citizen.

Introduce __________________________

define:

The Parts of an Introduction

Directions: Highlight the section of the introduction, and label and define each part.

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