Introductions

 The introduction is one of the most important sections of a report—or, for that
matter, any document—but introductions are often poorly written. One reason
may be that people misunderstand the purpose of introductions. An
introduction introduces readers to the report and not necessarily, or only
minimally, to the subject matter. "Introduction" does not equal "background";
it may contain some background but only minimally.

 Readers have an understandable need to know some basic things about a

report before they begin reading it: such as what is it about, why was it
written, what's it for, for whom is it written, and what are its main contents.
Readers need a basic orientation to the topic, purpose, situation, and contents
of a report—in other words, an introduction.
 Types of Introductions
1. Summary – The most common in academic writing is a brief summary. This summary should provide an
overview of the main points or central topics in the essay.
2. Opening with a Narrative or Surprising Statement – A writer may choose to introduce an essay with an engaging
story or a contradictory statement. The story or statement must be closely related to the topic of the paper.
3. Opening with a Question (or a set of questions) – Sometimes writers incorporate a question or a series of
questions in the introduction. These questions should not have an obvious answer and should pique the reader’s
interest so that they want to continue reading.
4. Opening with a Definition – A definition may be included in the introduction, especially when the vocabulary
that will be used in the paper is confusing and requires clarification. The definition should always be
paraphrased in the writer’s own words rather than a dictionary definition.
5. Opening with Background Information – By including background information in the introduction, a writer
provides readers with a context for the discussion in the essay. This type of introductory paragraph is
particularly applicable when defending a surprising or controversial thesis statement.
6. Opening with a Quotation – An introduction may also contain a quotation that is logically related to the thesis
statement. When an effective quotation is selected, the writer can elicit increased interest in the essay topic.
Common Elements of
Introductions
Topic or Statement of the Topic

Early in the introduction, indicate the specific topic of the report. Some
introductions seem to want to hold readers in suspense for a while
before they indicate the true topic—that's a gamble. Better is to
indicate the topic early—such that you could circle the topic words in
the first three to four lines.
Purpose and situation or Statement of the
Purpose.
A good introduction needs to indicate why it was written, for whom,
and for what purpose. If the report provides recommendations on
whether to implement a program, the introduction needs to indicate
that purpose. You might also consider indicating something of the
scope of the report—what it is not intended to accomplish.
Audience or Statement of Scope

Indicate who are the appropriate or intended readers of the

report—for example, "experienced technicians trained on the
HAL/6000." Indicate what level of experience or knowledge
readers need to understand the report, if any. If none is
needed, say that. If the report was prepared for council
members of the City of Utopia, Texas, the introduction needs
to express that.
Audience or Statement of Scope

Indicate who are the appropriate or intended readers of the

report—for example, "experienced technicians trained on the
HAL/6000." Indicate what level of experience or knowledge
readers need to understand the report, if any. If none is
needed, say that. If the report was prepared for council
members of the City of Utopia, Texas, the introduction needs
to express that.
 Overview of contents.
Indicate the main contents of the report. You can do this with an in-sentence list,
as the examples illustrate. If you are concerned about readers; exaggerated
expectations, indicate what topics the report does not cover.

 Background on the topic.

This is everybody's favorite! Some minimal background is usually in an
introduction—for example, key definitions, historical background, theory, the
importance of the subject. Information like this gets readers interested,
motivated to read, grounded in some fundamental concepts. Watch out, though
—this discussion can get away from you and fill up more than page. If it does,
that's okay—all is not lost. Move it in to the body of the report, or into an
appendix.
• Topic. If you can circle the topic words somewhere in the first three to four lines of
the introduction, you're good.

• Purpose and situation. In instructions, it's enough to tell readers that they are
going to see how to do something. In a recommendation report, just mention that
readers will be seeing conclusions and recommendations.

• Audience. Indicate what level of experience or knowledge readers need to

understand the document. If none is needed, say that.

• Overview of contents. Indicate the main contents of the document. A simple in-
sentence list will do.

• Background. Always remember that an introduction is not a background

discussion; it may contain some, but only minimally.
CONCLUSION
About conclusions

Introductions and conclusions can be difficult to write, but

they’re worth investing time in. They can have a significant
influence on a reader’s experience of your paper.

Just as your introduction acts as a bridge that transports your

readers from their own lives into the “place” of your analysis,
your conclusion can provide a bridge to help your readers make
the transition back to their daily lives. Such a conclusion will help
them see why all your analysis and information should matter to
them after they put the paper down.
 Strategies for writing an effective conclusion

 Play the “So What” Game. If you’re stuck and feel like your conclusion isn’t saying
anything new or interesting, ask a friend to read it with you. Whenever you make a
statement from your conclusion, ask the friend to say, “So what?” or “Why should
anybody care?” Then ponder that question and answer it. Here’s how it might go: You:
Basically, I’m just saying that education was important to Douglass. Friend: So what?
You: Well, it was important because it was a key to him feeling like a free and equal
citizen. Friend: Why should anybody care? You: That’s important because plantation
owners tried to keep slaves from being educated so that they could maintain control.
When Douglass obtained an education, he undermined that control personally.You can
also use this strategy on your own, asking yourself “So What?” as you develop your
ideas or your draft.
 Return to the theme or themes in the introduction. This
strategy brings the reader full circle. For example, if you begin
by describing a scenario, you can end with the same scenario
as proof that your essay is helpful in creating a new
understanding. You may also refer to the introductory
paragraph by using key words or parallel concepts and images
that you also used in the introduction.
 Synthesize, don’t summarize. Include a brief summary
of the paper’s main points, but don’t simply repeat
things that were in your paper. Instead, show your
reader how the points you made and the support and
examples you used fit together. Pull it all together.
 Include a provocative insight or quotation from the
research or reading you did for your paper.
 Propose a course of action, a solution to an issue, or questions
for further study. This can redirect your reader’s thought process
and help her to apply your info and ideas to her own life or to
see the broader implications.
 Point to broader implications. For example, if your paper
examines the Greensboro sit-ins or another event in the Civil
Rights Movement, you could point out its impact on the Civil
Rights Movement as a whole. A paper about the style of writer
Virginia Woolf could point to her influence on other writers or
on later feminists.