Introduction

Genre

Topic

Scope

Thesis or Question

Research

Outline

First draft

Introduction

Procrastination and writer's block

Writing an introduction

Body paragraphs and integrating sources

Writing a conclusion

Revisions

Proofreads

Additional Resources

Writing a Research Paper

The First Draft

Writing an introduction

Introductions are important. They arouse a reader's interest, introduce the subject, and tackle the So What? factor. In short, they're your paper's "first impression." But you don't have to write them first. In fact, many students prefer launching right into the body of the essay before they tackle intros and conclusions. However, other students prefer writing the introduction first to help "set up" what's to follow.

Whatever your style, you'll probably put your thesis/question somewhere near the end of the paragraph and some important background information directly before. But that still leaves the very beginning. Contrary to what you may have been taught, intros don't have to begin with a "general statement." So what are some different ways to start that first sentence?

• Begin with a quotation. Just make sure you explain its relevance

• Begin with a question

• Begin with an acknowledgment of an opinion opposite to the one you plan to take

• Begin with a very short narrative or anecdote that has a direct bearing on your paper

• Begin with an interesting fact

• Begin with a definition or explanation of a term relevant to your paper

• Begin with irony or paradox

• Begin with an analogy. Make sure it's original but not too far-fetched

If introductions give you trouble no matter when you do them or how you begin, sometimes it helps to construct several mini-outlines just for that paragraph and try each out to see which works best.

For more in-depth discussions of introductions (along with samples), visit these sites:

How to Begin to Write: Organization, Introductions, Conclusions from Roane State Community College OWL

Introductions and Conclusions from Cleveland State University Writing Center, along with some Sample Introductions

Introductions from the University of Victoria, plus more on the Structure of an Introduction and its Length

How to Write Introductions from Taft Community College