You can write an introduction in a number of ways: Tell a ...



Effective Introductions and Conclusions

The introduction and conclusion can either increase or decrease the effectiveness of a paper. An introduction can hook the reader or leave the reader without a desire to continue reading. A conclusion can be memorable, giving the reader something to think about, or leave the reader unsure of your arguments.

Introductions

Purposes of Introductions

Besides attracting a reader’s attention, an introduction can serve one or all of the following purposes:

• Provide background information

• Define unfamiliar terms

• Introduce the purpose of the paper

• Present a thesis statement or argument about the paper’s topic

• Preview the main points of the thesis

• Provide a brief summary of the topics the paper discusses

Different Types of Introductions

You can write an introduction in a number of ways; for example, suppose you were writing a paper opposing smoking in public places. You could compose one of the following types of introductions:

• Tell a story or anecdote: Share a personal story or a story you have read about a person who died because of exposure to secondhand smoke.

• Provide a startling statistic: Last year, approximately 3,400 adult non-smokers died from lung cancer due to secondhand smoke.

• Start with a short, famous quotation: “Do not smoke without asking permission or sit so near (as in a train) that the smoke might annoy” –Amy Vanderbilt (1908-1974).

• Write as if your position will argue the other side of the topic. Because smoking is legal, Americans have a right to smoke in public places.

• Ask a question: Are you aware that secondhand smoke is now a known cause of cancer in humans?

• Include interesting facts about the subject: Cigarette smoke can linger in the air for hours, even after the cigarette is extinguished.

Whichever angle you choose, your introduction should catch the attention of your readers and make them want to continue reading.

Note: Make sure the word Introduction does not appear above your introductory paragraph.

Examples of Effective Introductions

For examples of effective introductions, review the articles at the following Web sites:

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Conclusions

You do not want to stop writing abruptly after making your last argument. The paper should wrap up your points smoothly and make a good final impression on the readers.

Different Types of Conclusions

You can conclude your paper in a number of ways:

• Restate the thesis: Secondhand smoke is dangerous to the human body and should be banned in public places.

• Summarize the main points of the essay: Banning secondhand smoke in restaurants and public places would save lives and cut down on air pollution.

• Ask a question: Do you want to contract lung cancer only because you inhaled smoke from someone else’s cigarette?

• Offer a quotation: “New research indicates that private research conducted by cigarette company Philip Morris in the 1980s showed that secondhand smoke was highly toxic, yet the company suppressed the finding during the next two decades” (American Lung Association, par. 13).

• Provide an ironic twist, a surprising observation, or a clever ending: I am a former smoker, and I now educate others about how important it is that we stop others from inhaling secondhand smoke.

• Throw out a personal challenge: If you smoke, consider quitting and becoming part of the movement to stop secondhand smoke in public places.

• Make a prediction or recommend actions for the readers to take: Next time your state’s ballot contains legislation banning secondhand smoke in public places, please vote yes.

Whichever type of conclusion you choose, you want to say something powerful and memorable so your readers walk away thinking about what you wrote.

Note: Make sure the word Conclusion does not appear above your concluding paragraph.

Examples of Effective Conclusions

For examples of effective conclusions, review the articles at the following Web sites:

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(You can download the final paper Freelance—An Hour’s Pay for an Hour’s Work.)

Wrap-Up

Introductions and conclusions are most effective when they are rewritten a number of times. In fact, you may find yourself rewriting the introductions and conclusions more often than you revise the body of your paper. That is acceptable—effective introductions and conclusions are extremely important to the impact of your paper. Work on the beginning and end of your essay until you have written an introduction that attracts your readers’ attention and a conclusion the readers will remember long after they finish reading your paper.

Reference

American Lung Association. (2006, August). Secondhand smoke fact sheet. Retrieved February 15, 2007, from American Lung Association Web site:

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