Learning how
to write an introduction need not be a big deal. It only looks
like a big deal when you read about it in an English text. In
real life — which means anything outside English class —
it’s no biggie.
Most of what the opening paragraph needs to do it can do quickly
by hints rather than by direct statements.
Opening essentials
English textbooks go on for pages telling students how to write
an opener that will have readers drooling. Nothing wrong with that,
I suppose, but I rarely need to have my readers drool. My students,
too, find a drier approach works just fine.
Here’s what the first paragraph must do:
Some texts say students should indicate their purpose and
their audience in their first paragraphs. Stating the thesis
takes care of both those tasks.
Introduction is short
The essay body usually accounts for 80-90% of the paper's
length. If the entire essay is to be 500 words, the introductory
paragraph should be no more than 50 to 75 words long. In most
cases that means one, two, or three sentences plus the thesis.
No evidence above the thesis
Evidence
doesn’t belong in a paper ahead of the thesis. If you teach
students to slot their evidence into their body
paragraphs when they prepare their detailed essay plan
(which English teachers call an outline),
they shouldn't even be tempted to put evidence anywhere else.
Define without Webster
Occasionally students may need to define a term
from their thesis that could be used in different ways.
Defining a term doesn't mean quoting from a dictionary. That’s
boring. It also opens students to plagiarism
and copyright
violations.
Sometimes readers need to know how a writer is using a particular
term before they can understand the thesis.
For example, I was reviewing an historical novel set during the
English Civil War. I knew if American readers saw the term "Civil
War" they would immediately think of the American War Between
the States.
I replaced my first use of the term "Civil War" by "the
religious conflict between Puritans and the British government."
When I got to my thesis, readers understood which civil war I meant
without any help from Webster.
Teaching tips
When you discuss introductory paragraphs, teach only the essentials.
Don’t ask for — certainly do not expect — creativity.
Instead, make sure all students know how to write an introduction
that covers the basic information. Your bright students will go
on to write sparkling openers without additional coaching from you,
and you won't have turned off the less interested ones.
