Writing Sophisticated Introductions
A good introduction leaves readers with a good idea of what the essay is all about and how the
writer intends to "attack" his topic. It should do the following:



Generate interest in the audience (“Why should I read this or care?”)
Introduce thematic concepts that the paper will address (“the big ideas”)
Divide the topic of the essay into parts to be discussed (the thesis)
A good formula to follow for introductions is that of the inverted triangle. The inverted triangle
is wide at the top and comes to a point at the bottom. This is a good model for an introduction,
because it should begin with a broad, attention getting or thematic statement and slowly focus the
reader to the “point” of the paper, the thesis statement. An introduction will set up expectations in
the audience that you should fulfill in the body of your essay.
DO:




Begin with a “universal” statement that addresses one or more of the big ideas in
your paper.
State the title and author of the work you will be discussing
Provide any essential background information relevant to your main ideas.
Lead into your thesis statement, which should be the last sentence in your
introduction.
Do NOT




Begin with the statement, “In this essay, I will discuss..” (in fact, don’t EVER
use this!)
Begin with a question unless it’s a very thought provoking one.
Jump right into your thesis statement - save it for the final sentence in your into.
Write a thesis statement and then write a paper that doesn’t address the thesis!
Name
(200) Rubric Assessment
Mrs. Lawler, p. 2
English 10 Honors
7 March 2014
Sample Introduction
One of the first things a person must learn as he or she matures into adulthood is
that change is a fact of life. Some look forward to change and others merely accept it.
Some, however, fight change with every bit of energy they have. Holden Caulfield, the
main character in the novel The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, is one such person
who fights and fears the changes that come with life and maturity. For Holden, the
emergence from childhood to adolescence has so far been a negative if not traumatizing
experience: his perfect brother passed away too young, his older brother became a
Hollywood “prostitute,” the adults in his life seem to demonstrate little concern for
innocence, and his old friends seem to be more concerned with sex than checkers.
Because of this, Holden feels alone in a world full of corruption that he has a difficult
time fighting against, even within himself. These experiences, among others, with loss
and corruption cause Holden to fear adulthood and consequently, to develop a strong
desire to protect whatever innocence is left in the world.
Writing Effective Conclusions
Many writers spend a lot of time on the body of the paper and neglect the conclusion. This is a
shame, because when you do this, you weaken the entire effect of your essay. Your conclusion is
your last word and impression, and the opportunity to really drive home a point or share an
insight.
A conclusion should do three things:



Briefly restate the thesis and main points. Try to do this in different words than in your
into.
Drive home the importance of the topic you just discussed
Provide an answer to the question, “so what?” for the reader (connect to life beyond the
text).
If the formula for an introduction is an inverted triangle, you can think of a conclusion as an
upright triangle. The writer should begin with a restatement of main points and leave the reader
with a broad, general insight about life.
How do I provide insight about life?




Imagine someone reading your essay and then asking you, “ok, so what?” How would
you answer that reader? What is important about what you wrote or wrote about? This
will help you get to the core of why you are writing.
Relate the discussion in your essay to issues in the world today
End with a relevant quote, either from the literature or from another source.
Point out an important theme or comment about life from the literature
The conclusion is really your evaluation – the deepest level of critical thinking. It should reiterate
the importance of your argument and leave the reader with an enduring understanding of why
your discussion is significant in today’s world. This is why we read!
“You should never read just for ‘enjoyment.’ Read to make yourself smarter! Less judgmental! More apt to
understand your friends’ insane behavior, or better yet, your own. Pick ‘hard books.’ Ones you have to concentrate on
while reading. And for god’s sake, don’t let me hear you say, ‘I can’t read fiction. I only have time for truth.’ Fiction is
the truth, fool!” ~John Waters
Sample Conclusion
Holden’s eyes were opened to the imperfection of the world at a tragically young
age, and because of this, he is forced to face a world that he does not understand or
accept. Like most young people, Holden wants to better his world, and the best and only
way that he knows how to do this is by protecting the only sure and good thing he knows:
innocence. However, he soon realizes that he can’t fight the loss of innocence that often
comes with maturity. Holden’s story is the story of human nature; people are fearful of
what they don’t understand and therefore cling to the security of the familiar. However,
maturity mandates that we face the challenges of the unknown bravely and head-on, even
if it means leaving behind the beauty and wonder that we knew. Fighting and changing
the imperfect world is the responsibility of youth, but to do so, they will need to face the
world with both the purity and innocence of children and the maturity and experience of
adults. Perhaps only then can the virtues of childhood – sincerity, generosity, and love –
become the virtues of adulthood as well. This concept of maturity is the gold ring that
Holden alludes to, and if we are ever able to grasp it, then we must all risk the fall.