On Introductions

(Some of the following is drawn from Strunk & White)

1. A good intro has several different aims:

• • catches reader's interest

  • establishes voice

  • reveals central matter you will address

  • sketches the context/begins on general level (introduces general subject matter)

  • tells the author, name of story

  • moves more and more specifically towards thesis sentence

  • looks like a funnel

  • has final sentence as thesis

2. The first line:

• • usually names the author and the title of the work (or the second or third sentence will do this)

AND it may also

• • pose a question and address it

  • use a baited opener (something odd or curious that delays the "real" beginning of the intro)

  • begin on an opposite tack—show how your argument differs from norm

  • begin with a quotation

    • • quotation should not be analyzed here--save those "meaty" quotations for body paragraphs

      • you can use a quotation from an outside source in your intro. or conclusion but not in your body paragraphs

Note: Generally, for short papers, it's better not to try for a first sentence that's too fancy or complicated.

3. You build to the thesis with 2-3 sentences that give some context for the thesis and/or set the premise on which the thesis will be based.

• Your thesis is the last sentence of your intro.

4. Don't do "quotation and analysis" in your intro--save that for your body paragraphs!

5. Some tips: Avoid the deadly opener

• • solemn platitude

  • unneeded dictionary definition

  • restatement of assignment, with an unenthusiastic interest

  • "little me" apology

  • bald statement of thesis: "In this essay, I will" etc.

4. Intro should be shorter than the other paragraphs—no more than half a page long, if that (1/3 of a page is better).