Drafting an Introduction
Every introduction will be different, but a good introduction...
• ... grabs attention.
- oYou can use a bold, direct statement; a specific quote that fits your argument; an engaging anecdote (if appropriate); etc.
• ... provides the essential context.
○ (see page 1) It must express exigency, necessary knowledge, and current conversations and research.
• ...summarizes, does not analyze.
- oFor the research and current conversations, do not provide too much detail. Give short summaries on methods and concepts. Your paper is where you provide detail and analyze.
• ... transports the reader.
○ (see page 1) Create a portal to another world. To pull the reader from their wide world into your paper’s narrowed world, focus on engaging and relevant information.
• ... maps out the paper.
- oA good introduction should discuss everything you will focus on and why it is important. It should also be in the order it will appear in the paper.
• ... details your beliefs and arguments.
- oDo not be afraid to clearly state your own beliefs and interpretations of the topic and the research. An introduction, like the thesis, should be argumentative and debatable.
• ... addresses the assignment.
- oYour introduction and thesis must align with any assignment prompts.
TIP: Try to write the introduction last. Sometimes you need to write the rest of the paper to better understand the argument you want to make.