Your introduction is a summary of all the main points/ arguments you will make. Think of this
as a roadmap for the reader - clearly showing the direction and path the essay will take. I
should be able to understand your key arguments and the conclusion from only reading the
introduction. Academic writing is not about suspense or surprises. It is clear and direct.
(no sources necessary in introduction).
Structure for introduction = summary of whole outline
This essay will argue/show that the benefits of global migration outweigh the costs [retate
topic]. Firstly, [state first argument in 1 sentence]. Secondly, [give second argument]...
3rd…(4th)...Finally/lastly a strong point is made that…[Iast argument]. The opposing view/
counterargument suggests that [give a counterargument]. However, given the …[give your
response to the counter-argument]….
Introduction example
This paper will show that corporations have a moral and financial responsibility to society
and environment. A number of reasons and evidence will be presented in support of this.
Firstly, large corporations today have profits equal to some nation’s, and therefore have the
financial ability to address social and environmental concerns. Secondly, studies show that
big businesses like oil and coal are most responsible for the environmental damage of the
past 50 years. Third, climate change will negatively affect business profits, and so the cost of
mitigation now will be offset in the long run. An argument against corporate responsibility is
that governments have the political power to create the laws that the business will then
follow. A response to this is that the financial resources and influence of big business is now
rivalling governments, furthermore increasing corruption means that regulations are not
always adhered to. These arguments show that corporates have a strong moral and financial
responsibility to society and the environment.
Background and definitions (if needed - only give these if the key terms in topic are not
common knowledge). Follow the statistic + source formula.
1. While women represent almost 50% of the global workforce, there is an absence of
women in management as one looks at higher levels of the organisation, with only
[insert statistics] (source). This essay will argue that….
2. In the past few years, corporations are coming under increasing pressure to
contribute positively to society and the environment, and their CSR activities play a
considerable role in evaluating their ethical behaviour (source). CSR can be defined
as…. (source)
3. Diversity & inclusion have become an increasingly important topic for modern
companies, since Author’s first paper on the subject in 1996 (source). Diversity can
be defined as_____ (source).
4. Although globalisation has created a number of positive economic benefits through
trade and international movement of people, there have been also been adverse
effects which will be considered in this paper. Globalisation can be defined as_____
(source).
Background & definitions: 2-3 lines on the current situation i.e. Why your topic is relevant.
Do not waffle through a number of vague points. This must ADD VALUE to your essay and
link directly to the topic. Definitions should only be included if there are terms that are not
common knowledge to the reader, e.g. CSR and corporate ethics, diversity.
Body
1. First argument = strongest argument
Firstly, studies show that cultural diversity has a direct impact on creativity and innovation for
an organisation [give a clear topic sentence that sums up the point of this paragraph].
Next, 2-3 sentences explaining the argument with supporting evidence, linking it clearly to
the topic to answer the question. Studies show that more diverse teams have higher levels
of innovation (source 1). This diverse range of perspectives allows different views and less
groupthink (explanation sentence). Furthermore ___blah, blah, blah_______(source 2).
2. Second argument
A second argument is that corporates who focus on their social and environmental impact
are more attractive investments... [give a clear topic sentence sums up the point of this
paragraph]. Research shows that [2-3 sentences of supporting evidence x2] and your
(sources).
3.
Third argument
This links to the previous point, in that women’s strong leadership potential has been
highlighted in a number of studies, for example… [sums up the point of this paragraph]
[try and connect your paragraphs, so that you have a logical flow and story to your paper].
[2-3 sentences of supporting evidence] and (sources).
4. Fourth argument (Optional)
Fourth, the increasing demand of consumers is placing pressure on business to behave
responsibly [give a clear topic sentence the sums up this paragraph]. Research shows that
Millennials...[2-3 sentences of supporting evidence] and (sources).
5. Argument against your position (shows you acknowledge the other side)
Another view to consider is that diversity is difficult to manage and therefore is not
necessarily critical to an organisation’s success … [ topic sentence sums up the point of this
paragraph]. [2-3 sentences of supporting evidence] and (sources).
6. A response to counterargument
However, a response to this may be … [give a relevant argument that addresses the
counterargument]. [2-3 sentences of supporting evidence] and (sources).
Conclusion (this is a summary of all your arguments = mirrors your introduction. SO: restate
your position and briefly list your main arguments. NEVER introduce new info in the
CONCLUSION)
This essay has clearly shown that cultural diversity is critical to the success of a company
[restate full topic]. The main arguments given are that … 1...3,4 (briefly list your topic
sentences again). A counterargument is… [give the 1 or 2 arguments against the topic).
However [give your response to these]. Therefore, given the considerable influence of social
and environmental impact, the profit should not be the only driver of business strategy
[rephrase the topic].
(no sources necessary in conclusion - these were covered in the body).
REFERENCE LIST
No reference = Fail