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Introductions and Conclusions

Introductions

What types of introductions can you think of?

Where do you find (hear, read, make) introductions?

What are the purposes of introductions?

What do assignment introductions do?

1. They ‘open up’ the topic in 1 or a few sentences

And:

2. They indicate the plan for the body of the assignment. They tell the reader a little about the whole ‘story’.

Evaluating introductions

Read the introductions on:Internet social

networking

1. Which part opens up the topic?

2. Where does it indicate what will be in the body of the essay?

First introduction example…

1. Internet social networking is a way for people

to communicate worldwide.

2. The sites offer people and organisations the

opportunity to make contact, build personal

relationships and do business. It is not

surprising that they have become so popular.

However, there are a number of risks: people

must be careful about sharing personal

information as it may be misused by others.

Second example…

1. “Online social networks are websites that

enable people to create a network of

connections to other individuals,” (Russell,

2007, p. 56) on a personal or professional

level.

2. I will identify various types of social

networking sites available and the positive

and negative implications of using such

sites.

2nd part of 2nd example edited…

I will identify various types of social

networking sites available and the positive

and negative implications of using such sites.

This essay identifies three types of social

network sites and discusses the positive and

negative implications of using such sites.

Third example…

1. Internet social networking sites are

increasing in popularity as a way of keeping

in contact with friends and organisations all

over the world.

2. This essay will discuss the positive and

negative aspects of internet social

networking and consider why it has become

so popular.

Write an introduction…

1. Write one (or a few) sentence(s) that is / are an opening statement about internet social networks.

It needs to mention the topic in some way. It could express something about the

importance of the topic. It could say something about the popularity of

ISN.

2. Write 1-3 sentences that show what is in the body of your essay.

It/they could name the main ideas It/they could show the structure of the essay

body You could start with: This essay discusses….

What is a conclusion?

The opinion you reach after considering information about something.

You may have reached a conclusion about the heating in Wintec classrooms.

You may have reached a conclusion about the career you’d like.

Assignment conclusions

They summarise the main points made in the body, using other words

You can express the opinion you have reached as a result of your research, thinking and writing

They draw the essay to a satisfying close, often connecting to the introduction

Evaluating conclusions

Read the 3 conclusions on: Internet social

networking

Discuss which you ‘prefer’ and why

Comment on the strengths and weaknesses of each

Suggest how the weaknesses might be overcome

First example…In conclusion, people quickly saw the potential of

internet social networking and have readily made

a place for it in their personal and working lives.

Some of the risks and negative impacts

particularly for young and naive users are of

serious concern and families are advised to

supervise their children’s use. This development

in technology has dramatically influenced the

way people interact and do business: it is

providing a communication channel that many

people enjoy.

Second example…

Before doing this study my knowledge on ‘social

networking’ was very limited, however having

seen the advantages, if used with caution, these

networks can have on our lives personally and

professionally, I can appreciate its popularity. It

seems internet social networks are only going

to get bigger therefore you guessed it my next

assignment is to create my own profile online

and join in on this popular form of

communication.

Second example edited…

Before doing this study my knowledge of internet

social networking was very limited. However, it has

become clear that networking, if used with caution,

can have a positive impact on people’s personal

and professional lives. It is not surprising that this

form of communication is so popular.

Third example…

In conclusion, there are many advantages of internet social networking. Anyone can log on and be instantly connected to a group of people no matter what time of the day it is or where they are in the world. The disadvantages are that information entered onto the sites may be at risk of being misused by undesirables, which can cause various problems for a user. People and organisations can share information with other like-minded people via the web at their own convenience, hence making it a popular way of communicating.

3rd example edited…

In conclusion, the many advantages of internet

social networking seem to outweigh the

disadvantages. Of most concern is the risk

that personal information may be misused by

some people, causing harm to others. Despite

this, the ability of people and organisations to

share information via the web at their own

convenience, makes it a popular way of

communicating.

Write a conclusion…

Write a few sentences that give a concluding statement about internet social networks.

Express the understanding you have arrived at through researching and writing about internet social networks.