How do I begin my paper?Writing Introductions Workshop

The Writing Studio

Bate 2005

Why are introductions important? First impressions are lasting impressions! If your introduction is poor, your readers

may stop there, or continue on with the wrong assumptions about your essay.

If it’s good, even captivating, your readers will continue enthusiastically.

What should an introduction do? 4 main things:

Get your readers’ attention and interest Identify the specific topic of the report Conceptualize your argument or discussion Explain how your paper is organized

1) Get your readers’ interest Write about a topic that interests you Consider why you chose to write about your topic

or the specific aspect of your topic Tell a story or an anecdote that connects to your

discussion Begin with an influential and interesting quote

that explains the importance of your topic

2) Identify the specific topic Use specific terms

Purpose Specific point-of-view

Avoid saying “my paper is about…”

Thesis statement A concise sentence or two that states what

the essay is about gives direction to the essay conventionally placed at the end of the

introductory paragraph

3) Conceptualize your argument Add the definitions or background

necessary for your readers to approach the first paragraph but…

Don’t give it all away now!

4) Explain how your paper is organized Tell the reader how you are going to talk

about your topic Indicate the sections of your essay and

something about the order in which they will be discussed

How long do introductions have to be? Introductions vary in length according to

your purpose, writing style, the complexity of your topic, and the length of your essay