2. Remember that the introductory
paragraph :
Is the most important paragraph of the essay
Needs to do three things:
Briefly introduce the topic
Clearly state your position (thesis)
Provide two or three reasons (thesis)
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3. Introduction DON’Ts
Don’t use a vague generality or truth like:
“Throughout human history…” or “In today’s world…” or
“nowadays…”
Don’t make an announcement:
“In this essay I will…” or “The purpose of this paper is…”
Don’t start with an apology:
“I’m not sure if I’m right, but I think…” or “I don’t know much
about this, but…”
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4. Strategies for Introductions
Use a rhetorical question.
Relate an incident.
Use a vivid quotation.
Offer a surprising fact or statistic.
Provide background.
Make a historical comparison or contrast.
Outline a problem.
Define a word central to your subject
Explain your general truth
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5. Examples of question introduction
Would requiring students to wear school uniforms improve public
school education?
Should citizens be allowed to burn the United States flag in public?
Keep in mind that rhetorical questions do not have “yes” or “no”
answers. They are questions to which there is no one answer. (For
example: “Have you ever had a dream?” is NOT a rhetorical question.)
Also, do NOT answer your question. (Do you know what it’s like to be
bullied? I do.” = bad!)
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6. Quotation introduction
A recent article in Time magazine states that the viewing of extremely
violent television shows is the number one cause of violence in our
inner cities. (Johnson, 43)
“Many of the problems of the heart are not very well understood,”
Says David Atienza, head of the Embedded Systems Lab.
(Smartphones for Heart Health)
The old adage “you are what you eat” comes to mind when discussing
the fast food’s role in childhood obesity.
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7. Surprising facts/ statistics
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, “only 69
percent of high school graduates enroll in college immediately after
graduation”, while a recent Gallup Poll shows that 92 percent of parents
believed their children would attend college right out of high school.
(Cohen)
According to a research study conducted in 2009, nearly 90 percent of all
dollar bills have been contaminated by cocaine. (Safdar)
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8. Providing background
The first mobile telephone call was placed in St. Louis,
Missouri on June 17, 1946 from a telephone set installed in
an automobile (Histories, 81)
Since the long before the signing of the Declaration of
Independence, Americans have courageously fought for
freedom and equality.
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9. Outlining a problem
The National center on Addiction and Substance Abuse
states that almost 80 percent of high school students have
tried alcohol, even though the legal drinking age is 21.
(Peecher, 13)
Apple has just released the new iOs 6 operating system,
which should mean the end to all app problems, however the
new maps app causes people to get lost on a daily basis.
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10. Defining words
According to the Collins English Dictionary, fair is
described as being “free from discrimination and
dishonesty”, or being impartial. (“Fair”)
Beauty is the quality present in a thing or person that gives
intense pleasure or deep satisfaction to the mind. (“Beauty”)
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11. General truth introduction
It is impossible to turn on the television and not find
a number of violent programs.
Many public schools have decided that their
students should use uniforms.
In the United States of America distracted driving
has become a common practice.
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12. General statement introduction
Today, a potential ban on
smoking in public places is a
hot-button issue. Some
believe that smoking should
be banned everywhere while
others are not so harsh. It is
important, however, that
tobacco be outlawed because
smoking pollutes the
environment, endangers
everyone’s health, and wastes
taxpayers money due to
health problems.
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13. Interrogatory introduction
What if smoking were banned
outside of the home? The country is
divided on whether or not smoking
should be banned in public places.
Smoking should be outlawed because
it pollutes the environment,
endangers everyone’s health, and
wastes taxpayers money due to
health problems.
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14. Quotation introduction
A recent study reported in Men’s
Health found that smoking is the
greatest threat to human health. In
spite of all the evidence, people still
argue over whether smoking should be
allowed in public places. Tobacco
should be outlawed because it pollutes
the environment, endangers everyone’s
health, and wastes taxpayers money due
to health problems.
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15. Final reminders
Be concise and to the point
Do not go into too much detail
You must do three things:
introduce topic
state position
provide reasons
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Editor's Notes
Notice that the introduction has three parts. First, you introduce the topic. Then in one or two sentences you lead in to your position and reasons which is the third part, the thesis sentence. Also note that the thesis is stated in one sentence, both position and reasons.
