DrHorseMaster790
Please help with the 2 questions at the end; The Art of the…
Please help with the 2 questions at the end;
The Art of the Introduction
The introduction to a piece of academic writing should do at least two things:
It should tell readers what the topic is.
It should provide a thesis statementthat is, a sentence that declares the author’s opinion or idea about the topic.
Given this information, consider the following paragraph:
There are many different kinds of exercise. For example, some people run outdoors or on treadmills. Others play games such as soccer, softball, and hockey. Yoga and fencing also count as exercise. There are many positive reasons to exercise. One such reason is that exercise can help people enjoy life and cope with depression.
This paragraph fulfills the two requirements of an academic essay introduction: it introduces the topic and provides a thesis statement. However, there’s a problem: the writing has all the charm of a deflated soccer ball. In other words, it’s boring and it doesn’t make any attempt to engage readers.
Creating an introduction that engages readersone that grabs their attentionis important. An engaging introduction helps readers recognize the excitement or importance of a subject and pushes them to keep reading. But the benefits don’t all go to the readers. Trying to create an engaging introduction can make writers feel interested in and excited about their work.
To learn about some ways to create engaging introductionsand some introductions to avoidread the content that follows.
How to Create Engaging Introductions
Use a Scene or Story
Use a Quotation
Use a Question
Things to Avoid
One way to introduce an essay is to describe a scene or tell a very short story. Imagine you wanted to write an essay explaining the emotional benefits of running. What if you began the essay like this?
At 5:00 in the morning it’s still dark, but Carter staggers out of bed anyway. He doesn’t turn on a light; instead, he feels around for the athletic shorts and moisture-wicking T-shirt he laid out the night before. Once he puts these on, he laces up his running shoes and tiptoes past his roommate’s bedroom and out the front door. Then he forces himself to run seven grueling miles.
Carter does this every day. He doesn’t run because he’s training for a marathon or trying to lose weight. He does it because it makes him happy. Like many people, Carter has found that running helps fight depression. . . .
An essay that begins like this makes readers wonder who Carter is and what makes him significant, and this propels them to keep reading. By the end of the introduction, readers not only perceive the author’s main point, but also see how the topic is relevant to everyday life.
(Note: Although the introduction tactics recommended here are appropriate for many writing situations, they are not appropriate for all. For example, it would not be appropriate to begin a formal lab report with a scene, story, or quotation. If you are unsure whether an introductory tactic is appropriate for a given assignment, ask your instructor for clarification.)
Directions: Read each student’s concern, and then answer the question that follows.
“I’m really interested in my essay topic and I want to write something that other people will want to read voluntarily. How can I do that?”
1) What would you say to help this student?
a- One thing to do is to try writing an introduction that engages readers right away with a short, interesting story.
b- One thing to do is to try writing an introduction that gives readers a blueprint for your essaythat is, an introduction explaining what each paragraph is going to be about.
c- One thing to do is to try writing an introduction that provides the dictionary definitions of all important terms.
“I want to write an essay arguing that we have to do more to protect forests. What would be an effective way to begin my essay?”
2) Which suggestions would help this student create an engaging introduction? Check all that apply.
a- Try beginning with a broad statement like “Trees have always been important.” This will help readers understand that trees are important even today.
b- Try beginning with a story about the bad things that happened because a specific forest was cut down. That will help readers understand the importance of protecting forests.
c- See if you can find an interesting or provocative quotation about trees or nature conservation. Starting with that might pique the interest of readers and make them want to know more.
d- Start by defining the term conservation. That will ensure readers know you’re focused on protecting nature
