Drafting: Writing Introductions

Introduction

Writing your introduction

Set the right tone

Capture your audience’s attention

Present your thesis

Your Turn 1: Write introductions

Hi, Keesha, I’m Joan.

I’m new at this school.

Hey! Nice

shirt! I’m Keesha.

Introduction

The beginning, or introduction, to your composition is where the reader “meets” your writing for the first time.

When you meet someone for the first time, you introduce yourself.

Introduction

Some of the most memorable moments in relationships are the hellos.

This is true in writing, too. When you write, make sure that what your readers see first is both engaging and memorable.

Writing your introduction

The introduction is an important part of any piece of writing. This is where your readers are introduced to your ideas.

The introduction to a piece of writing should

establish the right tone

grab your audience’s attention

tell your thesis, or main idea

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention

Have you ever heard the phrase, “first impressions are important”? What first impressions do these people give?

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention

Your writing must also make a good first impression. The introduction is your chance to grab your audience’s attention and make them want to continue reading.

Address the reader directly. If readers make their own connection to the topic, they are more likely to continue reading.

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention

Try beginning your introduction with one of the following attention-getting techniques:

Have you ever seen a beautiful painting—on the outside wall of a building or in a park? Murals are a way for communities to create and view art.

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention

Tell an anecdote (a short, personal story). Readers are often more interested in a topic when they can see the human side of it.

I remember when my class worked together to create a mural on the wall by our school playground. I accidentally splashed a bucket of red paint near the bottom! One of my classmates came to my rescue and turned the splatter into a bunch of flowers. That’s when I realized that mural painting is all about working together.

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention

Ask an interesting question. Readers will stick around to see how you answer it!

What is bright, colorful, and can inspire people to be kind and peaceful? John Zender Estrada’s murals in Los Angeles contain images that inspire pride and nonviolence.

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention

Define a key word that is important to understanding your topic.

According to the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, a mural is “a large picture that has been painted on the wall of a room or building.” Murals can be found in cities all over the United States.

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention

Start with an interesting quotation. Many people have probably made interesting comments that relate to your topic.

Murals are much more than pretty pictures.“A mural tells the story of a community—about its people and its history,” says muralist Maria Corbel. “Most of all, it tells about a community’s dreams.”

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention

Juan, a student writing about the ancient city of Machu Picchu, decided to start his paper with an anecdote.

Hiram Beecham, a college professor, and his guide were hiking in the mountains of Peru. They walked for hours, through forests and steep trails. Finally, they found what they had been seeking: ancient houses and temples, ruins of fountains and steps. They found Machu Picchu, the famous city built by the Incas.

Writing your introductionSet the right tone

Tone is the attitude toward your subject that you reveal in your writing.

As you write your introduction, make sure you use words that create a tone that is appropriate to the audience and the purpose of your writing. For example, your tone might be

objective logical

funny

critical

detached formalimpassioned

friendly

sarcastic

Juan is writing a report for his social studies class. He has decided that he should use a formal tone.

slang

informal language

contractions

Juan will use Standard English and proper grammar conventions, and he will avoid:

Writing your introductionSet the right tone

Writing your introductionPresent your thesis

A writer often presents his or her thesis to the reader in the introduction.

Presenting your thesis at the beginning of your paper is a way of showing readers what they will find in your writing.

Writing your introductionPresent your thesis

Here is Juan’s thesis statement:

Macchu Pichu, the “secret city” of the Incas, has a fascinating history.

Start with an anecdote.

Hiram Beecham, a college professor, and his guide were hiking in the mountains of Peru. They walked for hours, through forests and steep trails. Finally, they found what they had been seeking: ancient houses and temples, ruins of fountains and steps. They found Macchu Pichu, the famous city built by the Incas. Macchu Pichu, the “secret city” of the Incas, has a fascinating history.

Writing your introduction

Note that Juan’s tone, attention-getting technique, and thesis work together to make an effective introduction.

formal tone

thesis statement

The End