This document provides guidance on how to write an effective introduction. An introduction should indicate the topic, explain the overall point or thesis, and outline the structure of the essay. It should prepare the reader for the body without being too long or overly detailed. The introduction frames the key elements - topic, thesis, and structure - in a clear and concise manner to properly set up the essay.

1. HOW TO WRITE AN INTRODUCTION

2. General The purpose of an introduction is to prepare the reader for the body of writing that comes after it. You know what you are writing about and why. But unless you inform your readers of this in an introduction, they will feel lost and judge your essay to be an unclear piece of work!

3. A good introduction:Indicates the topic that the essay is aboutExplains the point of writing the essay;the point of writing an essay is usually to argue for a thesis, so you will need to explain what thesis you argue for and how you argue for it – this is called a thesis-statement, and most essay introductions include one.In this paper, your thesis will be your definition of Excellence in Leadership.

4. First exampleHere is how someone new to academicessays may write the introduction (thetopic-sentence is in red, essay structure inblue, thesis in yellow):This essay is about the issue of body-checking in junior ice-hockey.First, arguments for a ban on body-checking are examined. Second, arguments against a ban are discussed.It is shown that pro- ban arguments are stronger than anti-ban arguments. Therefore, the thesis of this essay is that body-checking in junior ice-hockey should be banned.

5. Discussion of first exampleThe topic-sentence could be improved.Rather than writing: “This essay is about…”it would be better to write a few topic-sentences that convey a sense of thecurrent state of the topic. This not onlytells the reader what the topic is but it alsogives the impression that you areknowledgeable about the topic and incommand of your research material.

6. Discussion of first exampleThe thesis-sentences could be better.Instead of writing: “Therefore, the thesis ofthis essay is…” simply give a bold, factualsentence that expresses your position onthe issue. This conveys an air of confidence,unlike the phrase “…the thesis of thisessay…” which is timid and non-committal.

7. Second exampleThe introduction on the next slide takesthese points into account. Compare it withthe previous introduction and note howwording the three main elements differentlycan improve the impact that the introductionhas on the reader.

8. Second exampleBody-checking has always been a controversial issue. However, the recent decision of Hockey Canada to allow some hockey associations to permit body-checking among players as young as nine years of age, on an experimental basis, has aggravated the controversy quite considerably in recent months.Perspectives fall into three main categories: viewpoints of fans, the official standpoint of Hockey Canada, and positions held by the scientific community.Evaluation of the main arguments shows quite clearly that Hockey Canada’s decision to allow body-checking in some junior games, even on an experimental basis, is a serious mistake.

9. Practice!Practice writing introductions without usingphrases such as “the topic of this essay…”or “the thesis argued for is…” or any “I” statementsExpressing the topic without using words like topic or subject may be particularly challenging because it is easy to include too much detail and end up with an unintended body-paragraph.

10. Frequently asked questions1. How long should my introduction be?One common mistake is to write anintroduction that is too long; the introductionis so detailed that it is indistinguishable fromthe body of the essay!5-10 sentences, but length can vary based on total length of assignmentShould be less than 10% of the total writing assignment

11. Frequently asked questions2. How detailed should the introductionbe?Another common mistake is that theintroduction is so detailed that it fails toindicate the topic of the essay in a clearway! The introduction only needs to statethe topic, general structure, and thesis of theessay.

12. Frequently asked questions3. Why am I finding it hard to write theintroduction?The introduction must indicate the topic,structure and thesis of the essay. If you arenot completely sure about any of thesethings, you will find it hard or evenimpossible to write an introduction. Writer’sblock can happen when you try to write theintroduction before you have done sufficientreading and research on the topic.

13. Frequently asked questions4. What is an introduction for? Is it asummary?An introduction is not a summary. Asummary repeats the main ideas of anessay. An introduction introduces the readerto the topic of the essay, describes theorganizational structure of the essay, andexplains the point of the essay (the thesisargued for).

14. Frequently asked questions5. What should I put in my introduction?Do not try to pack everything into theintroduction. It would then not be anintroduction at all! An essay introductiondoes not need to do more than tell thereader the topic of the essay, describe howthe body of the essay is organized, andexplain the thesis that you argue for in theessay.

15. For Your IntroductionThe Topic of the essay is leadership, so you want to begin with some general statements on leadership and the importance of leadership. The Organization of the body will be your subtitles – very often the people characters, or groups you are doing - so you want to indicate them.Your Thesis is your definition of excellence.