Introductions
This workshop will...
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Discuss the function of an introduction
Consider the features of an effective introduction
Offer tips about different potential structures for
introductions
Louise Livesey
Academic Skills Adviser
The Plan…
1. Basic functions of an introduction
2. Interpreting the question
3. How the answer will be organised
4. The features of an effective introduction
5. Different structure types
6. Writing tips
1.Basic functions of
an introduction
An effective introduction…
should include:
A.
An interpretation of the question or task
B. How the answer is organised
could include:
C.
Gain the reader’s attention
D.
Create a positive impression of you in the
mind of your tutor.
2.Interpreting the question
Show an understanding of the question
or
point to the importance of concepts and the
intended analysis
Be brief
2.Interpreting the question
Authority amounts to no more than the possession of power.’
Discuss.
Most of us would no doubt agree that in the cases of police
officers and government officials this claim is largely true: their
authority does seem to derive exclusively from the power they
have been given. Indeed, we acknowledge their authority
because we are all too aware of the consequences of not doing
so. But to accept that every case of authority amounts to no more
than the claim that might is right, threatens the very existence of
modern democracy along with its goal of balancing order with
accountability and justice. Either way, whatever we’re prepared to
believe depends upon our understanding of the two central
concepts: power and authority.
2.Interpreting the question
TALKING POINT
‘Advertisers seek only to ensure that consumers
make informed choices.’ Discuss.
Most advertising executives are willing to defend their profession by
arguing that all they are doing is informing the public and in doing so
protecting the democratic freedoms of individuals, in particular their
freedom of choice. To a certain extent, of course, this is true: without
advertising we would be less informed about new developments in
technology, in fashion and in medical advances. Even government
warnings about the dangers at work and in the home depend upon
advertisements. But the key to this is the claim that this is the ‘only’
thing they do, when most of the public suspect their paramount
concern is to manipulate consumers into buying products that they
may not want or need.
3.How the answer will be
organised
Road map
Start
Signposts
Destination
3.How the answer will be
organised
Evaluate the claim that Coronation Street is the
most enjoyable contemporary British soap
opera.
Coronation Street consistently receives high
viewer-ratings. This essay explores the basis
of this popularity, evaluating its appeal in
comparison to two other major contemporary
British soap operas: EastEnders and
Brookside.
3.How the answer will be
organised
TALKING POINT
Coronation Street consistently receives high viewerratings. This essay explores the basis of this
popularity, evaluating its appeal in comparison to two
other major contemporary British soap operas:
EastEnders and Brookside. In the process, the essay
will analyse Coronation Street’s use of strong female
characters, its exploration of women’s lives, and its
humorous treatment of make characters. I will
contrast these to the ‘gritty realism’ favoured by
EastEnders and Brookside.
4.The features of
an effective introduction
Five features
Stating the overall
topic
Giving any general
context/background
Providing a short
conclusory
statement
Outlining any key
terms or concepts
Sharing the
structure of the
written work
4.The features of
an effective introduction
Activity 1: Feature spotting
Coronation Street consistently receives high viewer-ratings. This essay
explores the basis of this popularity, evaluating its appeal in comparison to
two other major contemporary British soap operas: EastEnders and
Brookside. In its opening section, the essay uses feminist theory to
analyse Coronation Street’s appeal in term of its historical ‘women
centredness’, in particular its focus on strong female characters, its
exploration of women’s lives and its often humorous treatment of men. The
essay then goes onto contrast this approach to the more naturalistic ‘gritty
realism’ of EastEnders and Brookside which, it will be argued, have
historically tended to focus more strongly on social issues such as
unemployment and HIV. The essay argues that, in comparison to
Coronation Street, this ‘gritty realism’ fails to connect with women’s culture
and that it is the appeal to women of these less naturalistic elements that
underlies Coronation Street’s continuing popularity.
5.Different structure types
Two approaches
The ‘tell them what you are going to tell
them’ approach
The ‘quote a quote’ approach
6.Writing tips
Playing tutor: Introduction 1
As we all know, Britain is a multicultural society. In the 1960s
many thousands of immigrants came to the country, mostly
setting up home in the major cities. The majority of these
immigrants came from the West Indies, India and Pakistan and
Hong Kong. Racism has always been a problem, with the various
groups of immigrants seen as stereotypes, although over the
years there has been increasing integration into British society,
particularly by the children of immigrant families. This is reflected
in the mass media. Twenty years ago black people were rarely
seen on television and very few held jobs in the press. However,
nowadays, more and more black people work as journalists and
are thus able to look at events from a different perspective.
6.Writing tips
Playing tutor: Introduction 2
Stereotypes are everywhere: the reserved British,
the disorganised Italians, the shopping-obsessed
Japanese. This essay will talk about these
stereotypes and ask if they are true. It is going to
look at the different types of stereotypes and their
representation in the media. The following areas
will be covered: television; radio; the press, and the
cinema. I will particularly look at television and ask
the question "Does television reinforce these
stereotypes?"
6.Writing tips
Playing tutor: Introduction 3
Stereotypes abound in today's society. People seem to have an innate
compulsion to categorise others into various groups and then to apply
rigid and limited descriptions to these groups. There are therefore,
amongst others, stereotypical nationalities and races; stereotypical
sexes and sexual orientations and stereotypical classes. And one place
where these stereotypes often thrive is in the mass media, particularly in
the tabloid press and popular television, such as in situation comedy.
Some, for example Hick (1996), claim that this is a harmless
phenomenon, whereas commentators such as Ealham (1998) point to
the possible dangers of obsessive stereotyping in the media. This essay
will examine what sociological evidence there is for the process of
stereotyping in the mass media, and will then go on to analyse the
reasons for its occurrence. The final part of the essay will ask how far
society's attitudes are in fact shaped by this portrayal of the various
kinds of stereotypes.
References
Academic Liaison, Employability and Skills. (2014) Writing Introductions. Carlisle: University of Cumbria
[online] Available at:
http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/Public/LISS/Documents/skillsatcumbria/WritingIntroductions.pdf [Accessed
19.9.2014]
Bradford Gold. (2014) Bradford - Olympic Torch Relay Map. [online] Available at:
http://www.bradfordgold.com/london-2012/london-2012-olympic-torch-relay [Accessed 22.9.2014]
Greetham, B. (2013) How to Write Better Essays. 3rd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Morley, J. Academic phrasebank. Manchester: University of Manchester. [online] Available at:
http://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/ [Accessed 19.9.2014]
Neville, C. (2009) How to improve your assignment results. Maidenhead: OUP
Redman, P. (2001) Good essay writing. 2nd ed. London: Sage Publications Ltd.
Tammycat (2014) http://www.tvguide.co.uk/reviews.asp?title=Coronation+Street
AGAIN STUCK ON HOW TO REFERENCE THIS AS IS A COMMENT ON A WEBSITE
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