Writing an Introduction &

Conclusion

Writing an Introduction &

Conclusion

Introduction

The introduction is the most important paragraph in the essay. Its purpose is to get the attention (hence, attention getter) of the reader, introduce the topic, provide necessary background information, provide a bridge to the thesis statement or claim, and make the reader want to continue reading. There are 5 common ways to begin the introduction. Remember these with the following acronym:

Q A I D Q

QUESTION – Pose a question to the reader

ANECDOTE – Begin with an anecdote (short story)

INVOLVE THE AUDIENCE – Ask the audience (reader) to do something

DEFINITION – Begin with the definition of a significant word

QUOTATION – Begin with a significant or meaningful quotation

Sample Introduction

The Art of Living

His muscles tighten, breathing stops, eyes wide, for now is the critical moment.

Derek’s every move and thought will determine whether he lives, or if his name

will join the other 153,000 names destined to die each day. Heat rages around

Derek as he drops to his stomach and crawls under the thick black smoke. The

blaring high-pitch alarm pierces through the air sending his nerves scattering.

Flames begin to lick the walls surrounding him, and pieces of the floor dive away

to nothingness. It is crisis moments such as these that resolve whether a person

will be a survivor or not. A person’s capability of surviving difficult trials such as

a war experience, devastating hurricane, or recovering from a loved one’s death

depends on their qualities. The passion to survive is programmed into every

individual, but there are certain traits necessary to actually stay alive.

Conclusion

Begin by restating the thesis statement in a creative way. This helps to remind the reader of the main ideas of the essay.

The rest of the conclusion is used to bring the ideas to a close. Try to do more than merely summarize the ideas. End with a final thought.

Echo the introduction: Echoing the introduction can be a good strategy if it is meant to bring the reader full-circle.

Challenge the reader: By issuing a challenge or suggesting a course of action to readers, the writer is helping them to redirect the information in the paper and apply it to their own lives.

Revisit questions posed: Posing questions, either to the readers or in general, in the introduction may help readers gain a new perspective on the topic. It may also help bring the main ideas together to create a new meaning. Offer possible answers to posed questions in the conclusion.

Answer the question “so what?”: Show readers why this essay was important, meaningful or useful.

End with a quotation: Find a quote from a reputable source that eloquently sums up ideas or places the topic in a wider context.