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Every INTRODUCTION must do three things: Get your readers’ attention and make them want to read your essay. Tell your readers the topic of your essay. Give your readers a preview of the kinds of information you will give about your topic. . Looking at the next few examples, ask yourself:
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Every INTRODUCTION must do three things: Get your readers’ attention and make them want to read your essay. Tell your readers the topic of your essay. Give your readers a preview of the kinds of information you will give about your topic.
Looking at the next few examples, ask yourself: 1. Does this introduction get your attention and make you want to read it? 2. What is the topic of this essay? 3. What kinds of information would you expect to see in the body paragraphs?
STUDENT EXAMPLE: The North East if full of tourist attractions, like NiagraFalls. The Northeast is also the home of the white house. Also, it has a rich coal mining industry.
STUDENT EXAMPLE: The Western region of the United States is full of many physical, cultural and economic features found nowhere else. For example, the Grand Canyon in Arizona is one of the largest canyons in existence and is a well-known landmark around the world. Also in this region, Hawaii is full of many cultural groups of people, which tourists find interesting to visit. Finally, Idaho is a major agricultural center of potato farming, making it an important factor in the region’s economy. Overall, the West is a vital part of the United States. .
How could each of these introductions do a better job of getting your attention and making you want to read the essays? Let’s look at some strategies for getting your introduction started…
Strategies for Getting Started • Ask a question. • Use an interesting quote. • State an interesting fact or unusual detail. • Use a definition. • Use a description. • Tell a story. • Set a scene. • Speak directly to your reader.
Here are some examples of how these strategies might work using the topic: smelly feet.
Ask a question Is there any smell in the world worse than feet?
Use an interesting quote “You are not alone in having feet that smell like onions,” said Dr. Oz.
State an interesting fact or unusual detail Each of your feet contains a quarter of a million sweat glands.
Use a definition Bromhidrosis is a chronic condition in which excessive odor, usually an unpleasant one, emanates from the skin.
Use a description The smell from my gym bag was a horrifying blend of salt and vinegar chips and road kill.
Tell a story The most embarrassing moment of my life had to be the first time I took my shoes off in front of my boyfriend. He broke up with me the next day.
Set a scene Everyone was enjoying the pool party until Bernard took off his sneakers.
Speak directly to your reader Imagine the most awful smell you’ve ever experienced. Now multiply that smell by a million. That’s how bad my brother’s feet stink.
EDITING YOUR INTRODUCTION • 1. Cross out any phrases like: • “This essay is going to be about…” • “Now I’m going to tell you about…” • “In this essay…” • Start your sentence with the very next word. • Example: • (Weak) This essay is going to be about three ways you can stop smelly feet so they won’t be embarrassing. • (Better) Three ways you can stop smelly feet so they won’t be embarrassing are to wash your feet, wear fresh socks, and put powder in your shoes. • 2. Start each sentence with a capital letter and end with a punctuation mark. • Your work will not be accepted without them.
