ENWR 110
WORKSHOP: The Introduction
10 Steps towards an attention-grabbing introduction.
1. Mark the four parts of the problem statement introduction (status quo position,
destabilizing condition, consequences, resolution/claim).
2. Does the introduction set up a conceptual problem?
3. Does the destabilizing condition articulate what’s wrong with the status quo position?
4. Does the introduction have consequences for our understanding?
5. Is the claim clear and contestable?
6. Underline the characters.
7. Circle the actions.
8. Are the most important characters expressed as the subjects of sentences?
9. Are their crucial actions expressed as verbs?
10. Does this introduction set out the key characters and concepts that will be important in
the paper?