THE CONTENT AND THE STRUCTURE OF AN INTRODUCTION
The function of the Introduction is to serve as a 'map' of the essay, outlining to your reader the main
argument and points which you develop in your essay. Most introductions begin with an orientation in the
form of a brief general statement that leads the reader into the topic showing how the specific topic relates
to bigger issues or to the discipline field. This is followed by your thesis statement, which is your concise
response to the essay question, then an outline of the argument presented in the essay. You may find it
useful to think of an essay's introduction as funnel shaped moving from the general to the specific.
Always remember this: in academic writing, nothing must come as a surprise to the reader. Academic writing
is not like fiction writing, where the reader can be held in suspense, not knowing who committed the crime,
or whether the girl will get the boy, or whether the story will end happily or tragically.
In academic writing, the whole ‘story’ is outlined in the introduction, and given in detail in the body.
Remember this too: in academic writing, everything must follow logically from a starting point. It is unlike
fiction, where accidental happenings can change the direction of the story with unexpected twists and turns.
In academic writing, there can be no twists and turns; the logical direction of the argument is indicated in the
introduction, and followed faithfully in the body.
It is a good idea to keep to a simple structure. An effective introduction is one that begins with a very general
statement about the subject, then gradually narrows down to the specific thesis statement. The pattern is
shown below:



General statement about the subject; Brief, relevant background information and/or other
contextualizing material
Focus onto the topic; your point of view
Thesis statement/an essay map
INCORPORATING YOUR POINT OF VIEW
You may find it very difficult to know what is meant by a ‘point of view’. As a Level 4 student, you are new to
the discipline, and you probably don’t know enough about the subject matter to have a point of view about
it.
As well, it is also drummed into you that you should avoid personal comments such as ‘I think that
such-and-such’ or ‘In my opinion, such-and-such’.
So what can ‘your point of view’ mean?
Generally speaking, in an assignment, having a ‘point of view’ means coming to a particular conclusion rather
than leaving the question up in the air. The conclusion need not be original. (Smoking is harmful to both
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Introduction and conclusion
the smoker's and the second hard smoker's health, and it should therefore be banned in public places.)
an assertion; it shows that you have come to some conclusion as a result of your reading and thinking.
It is
In your introduction, you need to make sure your grammar and word use are absolutely right.
Question: Workplace diversity is now recognized as an important feature in organizations, especially in multicultural
nations like Australia. What communication problems might arise in a culturally diverse workplace, and how can
managers best deal with them?
Subject
Multiculturalism,
Intercultural
Communication,
Cultural
Diversity in the Workplace
Limiting Words
Communication problems that
may arise, and how they can be
dealt with.
Describe
Direction
(What...?)
and
Explain (How...?)
1. Over the past twenty five years, since Australia embraced multiculturalism as a This
is
a
policy, issues of intercultural communication have become more and more statement
prominent in the workplace.
fairly
bringing
general
in
the
subject words 'multiculturalism',
'intercultural
communication',
and 'workplace'.
2. However, until relatively recently, little had been written on these issues, and This sentence introduces the
even now, many organizational managers have no training or knowledge of how to limiting words 'communication
deal with communication problems, even though most workplaces are staffed with problems',
people of diverse cultures.
'dealing
with
communication problems'
This sentence is more specific
3. Particular problem areas include the difficulties that some non-English speakers about the limiting words 'What
have in understanding safety instructions (figures produced by the ABS (1997) communication problems can
2
Introduction and conclusion
show that migrant workers have a higher incidence of accidents at the workplace); arise?'.
an ignorance of the different forms of non-verbal communication used by other
cultures (for example it is considered impolite in some societies for an employee to
look directly at his or her employer), which can lead to misunderstandings and
unpleasantness; and the lack of knowledge about differing expectations.
4. Based on interviews with managers and staff in six organizations (public and The thesis statement explicitly
private), this report examines these three problem areas, and shows that many of states the specific focus of the
the difficulties faced by both natives and migrants in the workforce are caused by a essay,
lack of awareness of, and training in, intercultural communication.
giving
the
direction
(treatment) that the topic will
have.
The
Essay Map
Essay
paragraph
Map
is
in
mainly
this
in
Sentences 2 and 3, which give
the reader a good idea of the
scope of the essay.
What is conclusion?
The conclusion brings closure to the reader, summing up your points or providing a final perspective on your
topic.
All the conclusion needs is three or four strong sentences which do not need to follow any set formula.
Simply review the main points (being careful not to restate them exactly) or briefly describe your feelings
about the topic. Even an anecdote can end your essay in a useful way.
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Introduction and conclusion
THE PURPOSE OF A CONCLUSION
The purpose of a conclusion is to tie together, or integrate the various issues, research, etc., covered in the
body of the paper, and to make comments upon the meaning of all of it. This includes noting any implications
resulting from your discussion of the topic, as well as recommendations, forecasting future trends, and the
need for further research.
The conclusion should:

be a logical ending to what has been previously been discussed. It must pull together all of the parts
of your argument and refer the reader back to the focus you have outlined in your introduction and to the
central topic. This gives your essay a sense of unity.

never contain any new information.

usually be only a paragraph in length, but in an extended essay (3000+ words) it may be better to
have two or three paragraphs to pull together the different parts of the essay.

add to the overall quality and impact of the essay. This is your final statement about this topic; thus it
can make a great impact on the reader.
The conclusion should not:




just sum up
end with a long quotation
focus merely on a minor point in your argument
introduce new material
The content of the conclusion
The conclusion may include:



a summary of the arguments presented in the body and how these relate to the essay question
a restatement of the main point of view presented in the introduction in response to the topic
the implications of this view or what might happen as a result.
The structure of the conclusion
Like introductions, it is best to keep to a simple structure.
Begin with a sentence that refers to the main subject that was discussed in the body in the essay. Make sure
that this sentence also links to the preceding paragraph, or uses words such as In conclusion to signal that
these are your final words on the subject.
Then, you may give a brief summary of your argument and identify the main reasons/causes/factors that
relate to the question you have been asked to address. If there are two or more parts to the question, be
sure to include responses to each part in your conclusion.
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Introduction and conclusion
Finally, it is a good idea to add a sentence or two to reinforce the thesis statement which was used in your
introduction. This shows the reader that you have done what you said you would do and gives a sense of
unity the essay.
Additional elements that may be added include recommendations for future action and speculations on
future trends. Generally, although a short pithy quote can sometimes be used to spice up your conclusion,
the conclusion should be in your own words. Try to avoid direct quotations, or references to other sources.
Summary of structure




Link to previous paragraph: In conclusion…
Brief summary of main reasons/causes/factors
Reinforce the thesis statement (see Introductions)
Recommendations/speculation on future action
A Typical Conclusion
Question: Workplace diversity is now recognized as an important feature in organizations, especially in
multicultural nations like Australia. What communication problems might arise in a culturally diverse
workplace, and how can managers best deal with them? (2000 word essay)
*******
It is clear, therefore, that not only do employees have to be trained for working in the Australian
multicultural workplace, but managers also need to be trained. Managers must ensure that effective
in-house training programs are provided for migrant workers, so that they become more familiar with the
English language, Australian communication norms and the Australian work culture. In addition, Australian
native English speakers need to be made aware of the differing cultural values of their workmates;
particularly the different forms of non-verbal communication used by other cultures. Furthermore, all
employees must be provided with clear and detailed guidelines about company expectations. The interviews
with managers and staff reveal that a majority of managers must also have training in cross cultural
communication and in managing a culturally diverse workplace. Above all, in order to minimize
communication problems and to maintain an atmosphere of tolerance, understanding and cooperation in
the multicultural workplace, managers need to have an effective knowledge about their employees, to
understand how their social conditioning affects their beliefs about work and to have the communication
skills to develop confidence and self-esteem among diverse work groups. The culturally diverse Australian
workplace may never be completely free of communication problems, however, further studies to identify
potential problems and solutions, as well as better training in cross cultural communication for managers and
employees, should result in a much more understanding and cooperative environment. (230 words)
Here is an analysis of the example given above:
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Introduction and conclusion
1. It is clear, therefore, that not only do employees have to be This sentence provides a link to the
trained for working in the Australian multicultural workplace, previous paragraph and refers to the main
but managers also need to be trained.
subject that was discussed in the body in
the essay. It uses keywords such as
'managers' and 'multicultural workplace'.
2. Managers must ensure that effective in-house training These sentences refer back to the
programs are provided for migrant workers, so that they particular problem areas foreshadowed in
become more familiar with the English language, Australian the introduction and identify solutions.
communication norms and the Australian work culture. In
addition, Australian native English speakers need to be made
aware of the differing cultural values of their workmates;
particularly the different forms of non-verbal communication
used by other cultures. Furthermore, all employees must be
provided with clear and detailed guidelines about company
expectations.
3. The interviews with managers and staff reveal that a majority This sentence refers back to the thesis
of managers must also have training in cross cultural statement in the introduction and
communication and in managing a culturally diverse workplace. identifies a key finding of the study.
4. Above all, in order to minimize communication problems and This sentence makes a definitive statement
to maintain an atmosphere of tolerance, understanding and about what the writer considers to be the
cooperation in the multicultural workplace, managers need to most important recommendation.
have an effective knowledge about their employees, to
understand how their social conditioning affects their beliefs
about work and to have the communication skills to develop
confidence and self-esteem among diverse work groups.
5.The culturally diverse Australian workplace may never be
completely free of communication problems, however, further
The final sentence suggests future trends and
studies to identify potential problems and solution, as well as
makes a final recommendation for further
better training in cross cultural communication for managers
study.
and employees, should result in a much more understanding
and cooperative environment.
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Introduction and conclusion