Everything You Need to Know About Introductions

Introduction Tutorial: 3-minute Video

Part 1 of the Understanding an Essay 
Video Series by J. Dick

Drawing Readers In 
The main point to consider and learn for your introduction and Thesis: remember that you are not making an announcement.  You are simply stating the content and focus, without writing, "In this essay...".  Make sure that the writing always has a point and that the point is directly stated.

As you begin to write the rough draft of your paper, think critically about how you might draw your readers into your argument in a compelling way.

1. Consider how to create a rapport with the audience; for example, what areas of agreement may already exist between you and your readers?
2. Who is your audience?  
3. What is the purpose of your essay?
4. What do your audience members need in order to draw them into your topic?
5. If you are writing about a topic and surveys show the majority of Americans do not agree with your point of view on the topic, you must introduce your topic diplomatically. That way, you do not immediately create negative emotions in your audience members that might prevent them from reading your paper.

Introductory Paragraph Lessons 
The introductory paragraph does not PROVE anything.  You save your PROOF for the BODY PARAGRAPHS.  The introductory paragraph catches the reader's attention, provides background (briefly) and then ends with a clear assertion of what the overall point is for the WHOLE ESSAY.  The thesis needs to show which side of an issue you will be taking.

Unless your professor directly states that you CAN use 1st person voice (use of "I" or "ME") and/or 2nd person voice (use of "YOU" or "WE") YOU MUST STAY IN 3RD PERSON VOICE.

In the video below, he provides examples that use 1st, 2nd, and 3rd person voice.  However, these are just his examples.  You will ONLY use 3rd person voice.

Understanding Introductory Paragraphs PowerPoint Presentation Video

Layout for Introduction Paragraphs

Follow this order for Introduction paragraphs:

1.     Hook

o    See the types of ‘hooks’ below or CLICK HERE for Mr. Morton's samples

2.     Information relating to the topic

o    Use your creative discretion here--as long as it does not include outside sources.
The general overview should be from your own mind.

3.     Thesis statement declaring the point of the essay

o    A thesis must be in 3^rd person voice, to the point, and the very last sentence of the paragraph.

Introductions that are effectively constructed follow a funnel approach layout. 

The funnel approach is the easiest way to hook your reader, present basic information to lull the reader further into the essay, and then present the point of the essay in the last sentence of the introduction as a thesis statement.

Since an introduction’s purpose is to intrigue the reader, you do not need to write a very large paragraph.  However, an introduction paragraph should never be less than 3 sentences in length, following the funnel shown above.

Types of Introduction ‘Hooks”

One way to draw in the audience is to first grab readers’ attention with the introduction. When you are setting up your introduction, you are working to capture your readers’ attention.  This is done best by the use of a ‘hook’.  You want to snag your readers attention, similar to how a fisherman would ‘hook,’ or snag a fish onto a line with a specific lure.  The ‘hook’ of the introduction is always the very first line or two of the introduction paragraph.  Consider opening your paper using one of the following ‘hooks’:

·         Tell a story or an anecdote. If you have found interesting research or statistics that indicates personal experience in this area, you could relate a story from a source—briefly—to set up the scene for the readers.

Example:    Last year, approximately 3,400 adult non-smokers died from lung cancer due to secondhand smoke.

·         Provide a short, famous quotation.

Example:    “Do not smoke without asking permission or sit so near (as in a train) that the smoke might annoy.” –Amy Vanderbilt (1908-1974)

(A source can only be in one place in your introduction—as a ‘hook’.  The ‘hook’ is the first sentence of the introduction paragraph.  The introduction introduces the topic.  You can use source information in the ‘hook’ of an introduction, but nowhere else in the introduction.  You will save your other resource materials for the body paragraph, where you will be proving your points.)

·         Write as if your position will argue the other side of the topic.

Example:    Smoking is not illegal and is still a right for Americans to exercise.

(Your thesis will then debunk this side, indicating something like this: Nonetheless, smoking should be illegal in public places.)

·         Ask a question.

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

(A question can only be asked in one place in your essay—as a ‘hook’.  The ‘hook’ is the first sentence of the introduction paragraph.  After that, you should no longer be asking any questions.  The introduction introduces the topic.  Then, in the body paragraphs, you will be addressing issues, presenting facts, and debunking the other side’s views.)

·         Share an interesting point about the subject.

Example:    Smoke from cigarettes can linger in the air for hours, even after a smoker extinguishes the cigarette.

Do not make your case too forcefully, especially in the beginning, or too emotionally because these approaches may alienate readers. You want your readers to actually read your essay.  If you come on too strong, they will not continue to read.  On the other hand, if you present ideas in a fair, balanced, and logical way, your readers may be more inclined to read your paper even if they do not agree with your position.

Information Relating to the Topic

Besides attracting a reader’s attention by use of a ‘hook,’ an introduction might serve one or all of the following purposes:

·         Provide background information

·         Define unfamiliar terms

·         Introduce the purpose of the paper

·         Preview the main points of the thesis

·         Provide a brief summary of the topics the paper discusses

General Ideas

All introductions will serve the following purposes:

·         Begin with a ‘hook,’

·         Introduce the topic briefly, and

·         Present a thesis statement (or argument) about the paper’s topic in the LAST sentence of the introduction.

Note.  Make sure the word introduction does not appear above your introductory paragraph(s) when you create a rough draft.  A rough draft is your most complete version of your essay to date.

Furthermore, do not use first or second person voice:

1. You do not write things like this (1^st person voice): I plan to discuss in this essay the reasons why prostitution must become legal in the United States. 
2. You also do not write things like this (2^nd person voice): You will agree with me by the end of my paper that the connotations associated with ‘Going Green’ are media induced and business backed. 

You must write in third person voice, academically asserting the topic and the varying viewpoints while convincing the reader that the writer’s viewpoint—your viewpoint yet without declaring it so—is the correct one to take.

Introducing Your Writing (Narrative Essay)

If you are writing a story or narration, your structure and layout will be slightly different due to the nature, voice, and movement of this type of writing.  See this site for help with conclusions for narrative writing: How to Write a Good LEAD for a Narrative Writing.