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Writing Effective Introductions Guide

This document provides instruction on writing effective introductions for essays. It explains that an introduction should tell the reader what the essay is about, capture their attention, and state the thesis or main argument. Several techniques for writing good introductions are described, including using an anecdote, question, quote, facts or a definition. Examples of introductions using these techniques are provided and analyzed. Students are then assigned to write the introduction for a cause and effect essay, with steps to brainstorm the topic, choose introduction techniques, and end with a clear thesis statement outlining the main points.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
11 views3 pages

Writing Effective Introductions Guide

This document provides instruction on writing effective introductions for essays. It explains that an introduction should tell the reader what the essay is about, capture their attention, and state the thesis or main argument. Several techniques for writing good introductions are described, including using an anecdote, question, quote, facts or a definition. Examples of introductions using these techniques are provided and analyzed. Students are then assigned to write the introduction for a cause and effect essay, with steps to brainstorm the topic, choose introduction techniques, and end with a clear thesis statement outlining the main points.

Uploaded by

Jenny Chavush
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

2020-2021 ACADEMIC YEAR

FOREIGN LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT


PREP CLASSES

DATE OF ASSIGNMENT: 04.12. 2020 DUE DATE: PARENT SIGNATURE :

HOW TO WRITE AN INTRODUCTION CLASS : NUMBER :

WRITING AN INTRODUCTION
The function of the introduction is

a. to tell the reader what the essay is about


b. to capture the reader’s attention (hook)
c. to provide background information
d. to state the thesis (thesis statement = tez cümlesi)
There are several techniques to write good introductory paragraphs:
A. Move from general to specific
B. Use an anecdote
C. Use a quotation
D. Ask a rhetorical question
E. Present facts and statistics.
F. Give a definition
A. EXAMPLES FOR INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPHS
1. Karate, which means ‘the art of empty hands’, is the most widely practiced of all martial arts.
It is primarily a means of self-defense that uses the body as a weapon for striking, kicking and
blocking. Originating in the ancient Orient, the art of Karate is more than 1.000 years old. It
developed first as a form of monastic training and later became a method of self-defense. Over
the years, this ancient art has gained much popularity, and today karate is practiced throughout
the world. More than a method of combat, karate emphasizes self-discipline, positive attitude
and high moral purpose. (Thesis)
Technique(s): __a definition, a fact (the history, the background info)2. One student looks at
his neighbour’s exam paper and quickly copies the answers. Another student finds out the
questions on a test before her class takes it and tells her friends. Still another student sneaks a
sheet of paper with formulas written on it into the test room. What about you? Would you be
tempted to cheat in an exam if you knew you wouldn’t get caught? According to a recent
1
survey, 40 per cent of American teenagers would cheat under that condition. What is causing
this epidemic of cheating in schools? Most students cheat on tests because they feel pressure to
get into a good college, because they want to avoid the hours of studying in order to get high
grades, or simply because they do not care about honesty. (thesis)
Technique(s): ___an anecdote, a rhetorical question, statistics,
3. Homicides cause the deaths of more children in USA, than any other type of injury, including
car accidents, house fires, or drowning. The overcrowded neighbourhoods of many big
American cities, such as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, are all plagued with violent crime.
Types of violent crime range from arson and burglary to rape and murder. The solution to this
growing problem is not to build better and bigger prisons, but rather examine and deal with the
causes; easy access to guns, drug use and poverty. (Thesis)
Technique(s): _____from general to specific
4. ‘’Misty, a five-month-old German shepherd puppy, goes to the hospital twice a week, but not
to see a veterinarian. At this Veteran’s Administration Hospital, Misty is helping doctors.’’
Animals like Misty are visiting the hall to relieve a type of pain doctors cannot treat. Their
therapy is love. Pets ranging from dogs to tropical fish are showing up as therapists in hospitals,
nursing homes, prisons, and other institutions. (Thesis)
Technique(s): _an anecdote, a quote
5. Experience has taught me the truth of the popular saying, ‘Two heads are better than one’’.
For the past two years, the job of secretary has been shared very successfully by two people.
This ‘job sharing’ arrangement has worked out quite well. In a job-sharing arrangement, a
fulltime job is shared by two people. Job-sharing is one way that companies can meet growing
needs. Not only job-sharing is helpful to employees, it also offers advantages to employers. With
two people working together, tasks are completed more quickly, a wider range of skills are
brought to the job, and most importantly, production is increased. (thesis)
Technique(s): _a quote , a proverb

B. Writing an introduction ( December 6th, Sunday)

Write the introduction for the 4-paragraph- cause&effect essay


Follow these steps:

1. Spend some time thinking about the subject that you plan to write about.
2. Decide what technique(s) you want to use to introduce your subject. Which would be the
most effective?

2
3. End the introduction with a thesis statement that identifies your subject and establishes two
or three points you plan to develop in your essay.

Write your paragraphs in your R&W notebooks.


Edit your work.
Submit on GC.

Common questions

Powered by AI

Rhetorical questions in introductions can effectively engage readers by prompting them to think about their own perspectives, as seen in the cheating example. This method encourages interaction and reflection, making the topic more personally relevant. However, overuse or poorly placed rhetorical questions can distract or confuse the reader, potentially weakening the focus of the introduction and leading to a less clear presentation of the thesis .

Companies implementing job-sharing arrangements may benefit from increased productivity as tasks are completed more quickly with two people working. This arrangement brings a wider range of skills to the office, potentially optimizing workflows and increasing overall efficiency. Additionally, job-sharing can enhance employee satisfaction, offering flexible work arrangements that can lead to higher morale and reduced turnover .

Using proverbs in essay introductions, such as in the job-sharing example, can effectively convey a universally recognized truth or concept, providing an accessible entry point to the essay's themes. This approach can simplify complex ideas by relating them to common wisdom, thus making the argument more persuasive and engaging. However, reliance on proverbs must be managed carefully to avoid oversimplification that might undermine the depth of analysis or seem trite .

Inconsistent use of facts and statistics in introductions can confuse readers and diminish engagement if they are not clearly linked to the thesis or overarching narrative. For example, introducing statistics without context or blending them inconsistently with anecdotes can disrupt narrative flow, making it harder for readers to appreciate the relevance or importance of the information. Consistency in how these elements are presented is crucial for clarity and reader interest .

The introduction example about karate uses techniques such as definition and providing factual background to effectively set the context for the essay. By starting with a definition, it clearly identifies the topic of karate as a martial art, establishing its significance with historical context. This approach helps to draw in readers interested in martial arts and provides them with a thorough understanding of karate's importance and widespread practice .

In the essay's introduction, the use of an anecdote serves to humanize and contextualize the subject of cheating, making it relatable to the audience. The example strings together different scenarios of students cheating, which helps grab the reader's attention and sets up a provocative question regarding the reader's own temptation to cheat, effectively paving the way for the thesis statement on the reasons for widespread cheating .

The introduction about homicides transitions from general to specific information by starting with a broad statistic about child deaths in the USA, then narrowing down to violent crime in crowded cities, and finally addressing solutions. This technique helps frame the problem on a large scale before focusing on specific causes, guiding the reader's understanding and highlighting the essay's thesis on addressing root causes instead of only building more prisons .

The document suggests several techniques for creating an engaging introductory paragraph: moving from general to specific, using an anecdote, employing a quotation, asking a rhetorical question, presenting facts and statistics, and giving a definition. These techniques can be effectively used by choosing one that best suits the topic and intended audience, thereby capturing the reader's attention and providing a clear path to the thesis statement .

The introduction with Misty the puppy demonstrates challenges such as maintaining coherence and focus when using multiple techniques like anecdotes and quotations. Integrating diverse methods may confuse the theme if not handled carefully, as the narrative must seamlessly connect anecdotal evidence with the thesis. Successfully doing so requires careful balancing to ensure each method complements rather than detracts from the essay's primary argument .

The primary functions of an introductory paragraph in essay writing are to tell the reader what the essay is about, capture the reader's attention with a hook, provide background information, and state the thesis statement .

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