Introductions and Introductions and ConclusionsConclusions

Let’s get to the point. Let’s get to the point.

Intros and conclusionsIntros and conclusions

The following is from a handbook I have The following is from a handbook I have used in many composition classes: "The used in many composition classes: "The introduction and conclusion to a paper can introduction and conclusion to a paper can be understood as a type of transition . . . At be understood as a type of transition . . . At the beginning of a paper, the introduction the beginning of a paper, the introduction serves as a transition by moving the reader serves as a transition by moving the reader from the world outside of your paper to the from the world outside of your paper to the world within. At the end of the paper, the world within. At the end of the paper, the conclusion works in the opposite direction conclusion works in the opposite direction by moving readers from the world of your by moving readers from the world of your paper back to their own world . . ." (Allyn paper back to their own world . . ." (Allyn and Bacon Handbook 151)and Bacon Handbook 151)

More InfoMore Info

I would add to this that a conclusion I would add to this that a conclusion should leave your readers thinking. should leave your readers thinking. Think about when you see a really good Think about when you see a really good movie…maybe hours or days later, you movie…maybe hours or days later, you still can't shake it. A good conclusion still can't shake it. A good conclusion should be like this. The other good way should be like this. The other good way to think about a conclusion is that it to think about a conclusion is that it could be the introduction to another could be the introduction to another paper, where you would explore the paper, where you would explore the topic further. But more on that later. topic further. But more on that later. First, introductions. First, introductions.

Concepts of IntroductionsConcepts of Introductions

Some of you were probably taught (as Some of you were probably taught (as was I) that an introduction is an was I) that an introduction is an inverted triangle, and a conclusion is inverted triangle, and a conclusion is really just an intro in reverse. The idea really just an intro in reverse. The idea is that in an introduction, you start with is that in an introduction, you start with a very broad statement and narrow a very broad statement and narrow down to your thesis. That is one way to down to your thesis. That is one way to do them, but really the most basic way. do them, but really the most basic way. After reading your drafts, I think you After reading your drafts, I think you are all ready to move beyond that are all ready to move beyond that system.system.

What is an introduction? What is its What is an introduction? What is its purpose?purpose?

It is a paragraph (or two) that It is a paragraph (or two) that introduces your paper's topic to your introduces your paper's topic to your readers and grabs their attention and readers and grabs their attention and interest so they will want to read the interest so they will want to read the rest of your paper. So there are two rest of your paper. So there are two things here: establish the topic AND things here: establish the topic AND make it interesting. Let's look at make it interesting. Let's look at these one at a time.these one at a time.

Establish the topic: Establish the topic:

Provide any necessary background Provide any necessary background information. Define terms if information. Define terms if necessary. Give a historical necessary. Give a historical overview, or tell the reader what the overview, or tell the reader what the controversy is. State your thesis.controversy is. State your thesis.

Here’s an example…Here’s an example…

ExampleExample 4 A.M., March 28, 1979 and the floor of the control room 4 A.M., March 28, 1979 and the floor of the control room

just jumped. The two control room operators are stirred just jumped. The two control room operators are stirred from their mid-shift doldrums as alarms begin to sound and from their mid-shift doldrums as alarms begin to sound and the pounding in the auxiliary room is deafening. "The worst the pounding in the auxiliary room is deafening. "The worst crisis yet experienced by the nation's nuclear power crisis yet experienced by the nation's nuclear power industry" (Kemeny, 1979, p. 37) had just begun, and its industry" (Kemeny, 1979, p. 37) had just begun, and its impact wouldn't be realized for years to come, if ever. impact wouldn't be realized for years to come, if ever. Three Mile Island nuclear power station was located on an Three Mile Island nuclear power station was located on an island in the middle of the Susquehanna River near island in the middle of the Susquehanna River near Harrisburg, PA. It contained two separate nuclear power Harrisburg, PA. It contained two separate nuclear power plants, TMI 1 and TMI 2. TMI 1 had been shut down for plants, TMI 1 and TMI 2. TMI 1 had been shut down for maintenance, but TMI 2 was operating at 97% of rated maintenance, but TMI 2 was operating at 97% of rated power providing electrical power to the area. Within power providing electrical power to the area. Within seconds, a chain of events would commence to destroy the seconds, a chain of events would commence to destroy the nuclear reactor and with it, the future of the nuclear power nuclear reactor and with it, the future of the nuclear power industry in this country.industry in this country.

ClarificationClarification

I should tell you that this paper was I should tell you that this paper was not about the incident itself. It was not about the incident itself. It was about how the incident led to a about how the incident led to a societal fear of nuclear power not societal fear of nuclear power not based on science. It is attention-based on science. It is attention-grabbing, but it also gave the grabbing, but it also gave the necessary background on the necessary background on the incident, so that's good.incident, so that's good.

Getting the Intro to WorkGetting the Intro to Work

What are some techniques you can What are some techniques you can use to make your introduction use to make your introduction "attention-grabbing"?"attention-grabbing"?

First off, the "introductions must First off, the "introductions must begin with a general statement" begin with a general statement" guideline is not a rule. Here are some guideline is not a rule. Here are some other starting ideas, most with other starting ideas, most with examples:examples:

QuotationQuotation

Start with a Start with a quotationquotation, but make , but make sure to explain its relevance!sure to explain its relevance!

Start with a Start with a definition:definition:

1) Euthanasia is "the act or practice of 1) Euthanasia is "the act or practice of ending the life of an individual suffering ending the life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable from a terminal illness or an incurable condition, as by lethal injection or the condition, as by lethal injection or the suspension of extraordinary medical suspension of extraordinary medical treatment" (American Heritage Dictionary, treatment" (American Heritage Dictionary, 4th edition).4th edition).

2) Euthanasia is death control for any 2) Euthanasia is death control for any individual that feels life in their present individual that feels life in their present condition is not worth continuingcondition is not worth continuing

ClarificationClarification This second one is an interesting definition because This second one is an interesting definition because

it is not one we would find in a dictionary... It's a it is not one we would find in a dictionary... It's a stipulative definition...part of the author's job is to stipulative definition...part of the author's job is to support this definition of euthanasia. Why do you support this definition of euthanasia. Why do you think the author gave this definition of euthanasia think the author gave this definition of euthanasia rather than a dictionary definition? What is rather than a dictionary definition? What is euthanasia in the legal world? Suicide or murder, at euthanasia in the legal world? Suicide or murder, at this point. Stipulative definitions define concepts this point. Stipulative definitions define concepts and arguments in such a way as to lead the reader, and arguments in such a way as to lead the reader, convince the reader, that the point the author is convince the reader, that the point the author is trying to make is reasonable and correct. So the trying to make is reasonable and correct. So the author is saying that euthanasia allows people to author is saying that euthanasia allows people to control their own deaths. The author wants you to control their own deaths. The author wants you to see it in a positive way.see it in a positive way.

Start with a Start with a questionquestion. An example: . An example:

Do all students deserve an opportunity to Do all students deserve an opportunity to learn to read? Does our educational system learn to read? Does our educational system provide all students this opportunity? Our provide all students this opportunity? Our educational system should produce educational system should produce students with an education so they may students with an education so they may lead a productive and rewarding life. lead a productive and rewarding life. Unfortunately, students who suffer from the Unfortunately, students who suffer from the learning disability known as dyslexia who learning disability known as dyslexia who do not learn in what is considered the do not learn in what is considered the "normal" way often do not receive this "normal" way often do not receive this opportunity. opportunity.

ClarificationClarification Many students say past teachers said to Many students say past teachers said to

stay away from introductions full of stay away from introductions full of questions. Why? What do you think about questions. Why? What do you think about this one? For me, the question-filled intro this one? For me, the question-filled intro teachers want to avoid is one like thisteachers want to avoid is one like this—"What is global warming? Why is it —"What is global warming? Why is it important? This paper will tell you why." important? This paper will tell you why." What is effective about the questions in the What is effective about the questions in the dyslexia example is that they get you dyslexia example is that they get you immediately upset that children aren't immediately upset that children aren't getting these opportunities. What is the getting these opportunities. What is the answer to the first question (to you)? Do all answer to the first question (to you)? Do all students deserve an opportunity to learn to students deserve an opportunity to learn to read? OF COURSE! Do they all get it? No.read? OF COURSE! Do they all get it? No.

OpinionOpinion

Start with an Start with an opinion oppositeopinion opposite to the one to the one you are taking in your paper. Here's an you are taking in your paper. Here's an example of this:example of this:

Some children cannot sit still. They appear Some children cannot sit still. They appear distracted by every little thing and do not distracted by every little thing and do not seem to learn from their mistakes. These seem to learn from their mistakes. These children disregard rules, even when they children disregard rules, even when they are punished repeatedly. It's simple—their are punished repeatedly. It's simple—their parents must not know how to control parents must not know how to control them.them.

ClarificationClarification

This is from a paper on ADHD and its This is from a paper on ADHD and its goal is to show the perspective of goal is to show the perspective of outsiders who do not understand outsiders who do not understand ADHD. The paper will explain why this ADHD. The paper will explain why this view is incorrect, why ADHD is not a view is incorrect, why ADHD is not a result of bad parenting, and why these result of bad parenting, and why these children in fact ARE trying to control children in fact ARE trying to control their own behavior but are unable to their own behavior but are unable to because of a chemical imbalance in because of a chemical imbalance in their brains.their brains.

AnecdoteAnecdote

Start with an Start with an anecdote anecdote (a short story). (a short story). Make sure it is short and relevant. This Make sure it is short and relevant. This can be a vcan be a v1717ery effective opener for ery effective opener for your essay, but use it carefully. If it is your essay, but use it carefully. If it is too long, or its reason for being there too long, or its reason for being there is not clear, it will distract your is not clear, it will distract your readers, not make them interested in readers, not make them interested in reading more. The Three-Mile Island reading more. The Three-Mile Island example above is an anecdote.example above is an anecdote.

Interesting FactsInteresting Facts

Start with an Start with an interesting fact or interesting fact or startling information.startling information. This information This information must be true and verifiable, and it must be true and verifiable, and it doesn't need to be totally new to your doesn't need to be totally new to your readers. It could simply be a pertinent readers. It could simply be a pertinent fact that explicitly illustrates the point fact that explicitly illustrates the point you wish to make. Here's an example you wish to make. Here's an example from a student draft (since this is not from a student draft (since this is not common knowledge, the student would common knowledge, the student would need to include the source of this need to include the source of this information):information):

ExampleExample

While water conservation efforts While water conservation efforts almost always focus on reducing almost always focus on reducing domestic use, such as lawn watering, domestic use, such as lawn watering, washing machines, and long washing machines, and long showers, more than half of all water showers, more than half of all water used in the United States is devoted used in the United States is devoted to meat production.to meat production.

AnalogyAnalogy

Start with an Start with an analogyanalogy. I began this . I began this class with one when I told you to class with one when I told you to think of your conclusions as the think of your conclusions as the endings to great movies that you endings to great movies that you cannot shake.cannot shake.

DialogueDialogue Start with Start with dialogue. dialogue. You don't have to You don't have to

clearlyclearly identify the speakers. Here's an identify the speakers. Here's an example: example:

I said, "please stop doing this." I said, "please stop doing this." "You're fat and ugly," he screamed as he "You're fat and ugly," he screamed as he

yanked my hair, and pushed me into the yanked my hair, and pushed me into the wall.wall.

"Why are you always hurting me? How can "Why are you always hurting me? How can you do this to someone that you say you you do this to someone that you say you love? I don't understand!" Domestic love? I don't understand!" Domestic Violence takes different forms, though the Violence takes different forms, though the most commonly thought of form of most commonly thought of form of domestic violence is physical abuse. domestic violence is physical abuse.

Now…Now…

Onto conclusions!Onto conclusions!

ConclusionsConclusions

A conclusion provides a thoughtful A conclusion provides a thoughtful end to a piece of writing; end to a piece of writing; unfortunately, many conclusions in unfortunately, many conclusions in college-level papers are little more college-level papers are little more than summaries of what has already than summaries of what has already been said.been said.

Avoid:Avoid: Ending with a rephrased thesis statement that contains no Ending with a rephrased thesis statement that contains no

substantive changes.substantive changes. Introducing a new idea or subtopic (although you may end Introducing a new idea or subtopic (although you may end

with a provocative question; more on that later).with a provocative question; more on that later). Focusing on a minor point in the essay.Focusing on a minor point in the essay. Concluding with a sentence tacked on to your final point.Concluding with a sentence tacked on to your final point. Apologizing for your view by saying such things as "I may Apologizing for your view by saying such things as "I may

not be an expert" or "At least this is my opinion." not be an expert" or "At least this is my opinion." Attempting to make up for an incomplete structure. (If you Attempting to make up for an incomplete structure. (If you

say you will discuss four books, attempt a complete say you will discuss four books, attempt a complete discussion of two books, do not try to cover the remaining discussion of two books, do not try to cover the remaining texts in a concluding paragraph. In such a situation, it's texts in a concluding paragraph. In such a situation, it's best to limit your paper to topics you can realistically best to limit your paper to topics you can realistically cover.)cover.)

Strategies for Writing a Strategies for Writing a ConclusionConclusion

Conclusions are often the most Conclusions are often the most difficult part of an essay to write, and difficult part of an essay to write, and many writers feel that they have many writers feel that they have nothing left to say after having nothing left to say after having written the paper. A writer needs to written the paper. A writer needs to keep in mind that the conclusion is keep in mind that the conclusion is often what a reader remembers best. often what a reader remembers best. Your conclusion should be the best Your conclusion should be the best part of your paper. part of your paper.

Conclusions should…Conclusions should…

stress the importance of the thesis stress the importance of the thesis statement, statement,

give the essay a sense of give the essay a sense of completeness, and completeness, and

leave a final impression on the leave a final impression on the reader.reader.

SuggestionsSuggestions Answer the question "So What?"Answer the question "So What?"---Show your readers ---Show your readers

why this paper was important. Show them that your paper why this paper was important. Show them that your paper was meaningful and useful.was meaningful and useful.

Synthesize, don't summarizeSynthesize, don't summarize---Don't simply repeat ---Don't simply repeat things that were in your paper. They have read it. Show things that were in your paper. They have read it. Show them how the points you made and the support and them how the points you made and the support and examples you used were not random, but fit together. examples you used were not random, but fit together.

Redirect your readersRedirect your readers---Give your reader something to ---Give your reader something to think about, perhaps a way to use your paper in the "real" think about, perhaps a way to use your paper in the "real" world. If your introduction went from general to specific, world. If your introduction went from general to specific, make your conclusion go from specific to general. Think make your conclusion go from specific to general. Think globally. globally.

Create a new meaningCreate a new meaning--You don't have to give new --You don't have to give new information to create a new meaning. By demonstrating information to create a new meaning. By demonstrating how your ideas work together, you can create a new how your ideas work together, you can create a new picture. Often the sum of the paper is worth more than its picture. Often the sum of the paper is worth more than its parts. parts.

StrategyStrategy

Echoing the introduction: Echoing the introduction: Echoing Echoing your introduction can be a good your introduction can be a good strategy if it is meant to bring the strategy if it is meant to bring the reader full-circle. If you begin by reader full-circle. If you begin by describing a scenario, you can end describing a scenario, you can end with the same scenario as proof that with the same scenario as proof that your essay was helpful in creating a your essay was helpful in creating a new understanding. new understanding.

ExampleExample of this… of this…

Intro: From the parking lot, I could see the Intro: From the parking lot, I could see the towers of the castle of the Magic Kingdom towers of the castle of the Magic Kingdom standing stately against the blue sky. To the standing stately against the blue sky. To the right, the tall peak of The Matterhorn rose right, the tall peak of The Matterhorn rose even higher. From the left, I could hear the even higher. From the left, I could hear the jungle sounds of Adventureland. As I jungle sounds of Adventureland. As I entered the gate, Main Street stretched entered the gate, Main Street stretched before me with its quaint shops evoking an before me with its quaint shops evoking an old-fashioned small town so charming it old-fashioned small town so charming it could never have existed. I was entranced. could never have existed. I was entranced. Disneyland may have been built for Disneyland may have been built for children, but it brings out the child in adults.children, but it brings out the child in adults.

Example con’t…Example con’t… Conclusion: I thought I would spend a few hours Conclusion: I thought I would spend a few hours

at Disneyland, but here I was at 1:00 A.M., closing at Disneyland, but here I was at 1:00 A.M., closing time, leaving the front gates with the now dark time, leaving the front gates with the now dark towers of the Magic Kingdom behind me. I could towers of the Magic Kingdom behind me. I could see tired children, toddling along and struggling see tired children, toddling along and struggling to keep their eyes open as best they could. to keep their eyes open as best they could. Others slept in their parents' arms as we waited Others slept in their parents' arms as we waited for the parking lot tram that would take us to our for the parking lot tram that would take us to our cars. My forty-year-old feet ached, and I felt a bit cars. My forty-year-old feet ached, and I felt a bit sad to think that in a couple of days I would be sad to think that in a couple of days I would be leaving California, my vacation over, to go back leaving California, my vacation over, to go back to my desk. But then I smiled to think that for at to my desk. But then I smiled to think that for at least a day I felt ten years old again.least a day I felt ten years old again.

Challenging the readerChallenging the reader

Challenging the reader:Challenging the reader: By issuing By issuing a challenge to your readers, you are a challenge to your readers, you are helping them to redirect the helping them to redirect the information in the paper, and they information in the paper, and they may apply it to their own lives. may apply it to their own lives.

ExampleExample

Though serving on a jury is not only a Though serving on a jury is not only a civic responsibility but also an civic responsibility but also an interesting experience, many people interesting experience, many people still view jury duty as a chore that still view jury duty as a chore that interrupts their jobs and the routine of interrupts their jobs and the routine of their daily lives. However, juries are their daily lives. However, juries are part of America's attempt to be a free part of America's attempt to be a free and just society. Thus, jury duty and just society. Thus, jury duty challenges us to be interested and challenges us to be interested and responsible citizens.responsible citizens.

Looking to the futureLooking to the future

Looking to the future:Looking to the future: Looking to Looking to the future can emphasize the the future can emphasize the importance of your paper or redirect importance of your paper or redirect the readers' thought process. It may the readers' thought process. It may help them apply the new information help them apply the new information to their lives or see things more to their lives or see things more globally. globally.

ExampleExample

Without well-qualified teachers, schools Without well-qualified teachers, schools are little more than buildings and are little more than buildings and equipment. If higher-paying careers equipment. If higher-paying careers continue to attract the best and the continue to attract the best and the brightest students, there will not only brightest students, there will not only be a shortage of teachers, but the be a shortage of teachers, but the teachers available may not have the teachers available may not have the best qualifications. Our youth will suffer. best qualifications. Our youth will suffer. And when youth suffers, the future And when youth suffers, the future suffers.suffers.

Posing QuestionsPosing Questions

Posing questions:Posing questions: Posing Posing questions, either to your readers or questions, either to your readers or in general, may help your readers in general, may help your readers gain a new perspective on the topic, gain a new perspective on the topic, which they may not have held before which they may not have held before reading your conclusion. It may also reading your conclusion. It may also bring your main ideas together to bring your main ideas together to create a new meaning. create a new meaning.

ExampleExample

Campaign advertisements should help us Campaign advertisements should help us understand the candidate's qualifications understand the candidate's qualifications and positions on the issues. Instead, most and positions on the issues. Instead, most tell us what a boob or knave the opposing tell us what a boob or knave the opposing candidate is, or they present general candidate is, or they present general images of the candidate as a family person images of the candidate as a family person or God-fearing American. Do such or God-fearing American. Do such advertisements contribute to creating an advertisements contribute to creating an informed electorate or a people who choose informed electorate or a people who choose political leaders the same way they choose political leaders the same way they choose soft drinks and soap?soft drinks and soap?

QuestionsQuestions

OK, now time for some discussion OK, now time for some discussion questions. Are you ready?questions. Are you ready?

Question 1Question 1

What are some effective introduction What are some effective introduction techniques you think you might want techniques you think you might want to use in your essay? Why do you to use in your essay? Why do you think that concept would be useful?think that concept would be useful?

Question 2Question 2

What are some effective conclusion What are some effective conclusion techniques you might want to use in techniques you might want to use in your essay? Why do you like that your essay? Why do you like that technique?technique?

Question 3Question 3

Why do you think an effective Why do you think an effective introduction paragraph is important? introduction paragraph is important? What is the purspose of the What is the purspose of the introduction paragraph?introduction paragraph?

Question 4Question 4

Why do you think an effective Why do you think an effective conclusion is important? What is the conclusion is important? What is the purpose of an effective conclusion?purpose of an effective conclusion?

Question 5Question 5

Share any helpful tips and pointers Share any helpful tips and pointers with the class that you have about with the class that you have about writing introductions and writing introductions and conclusions.conclusions.

The EndThe End

That concludes our seminar!That concludes our seminar!