How to: Write an Introduction and Conclusion

1. How to: Write an Introduction and Conclusion November 22nd, 2010

2. Writing an Essay • The most important factors to consider when writing an essay are a proper introduction and conclusion. • These two paragraphs are the backbone of the essay. They could “make or break” an essay. • It’s sort of like a sandwich. The introduction and conclusion symbolize the bread slices holding the important contents together.

3. The Introduction • First impressions are very important. • The first sentence of a paper sets the stage for a lasting opinion. • The start of the introduction should always grab the reader’s attention. • When starting the introduction, do NOT blatantly announce the purpose of the essay. • Example: In this paper, I will…

4. Introduction Guidelines • When writing an introduction, important concepts to keep in mind are: • Clearly state the subject being dealt with. • State the narrow topic the paper is focusing on. • End the introduction with a clear thesis statement by mentioning the position being taken.

5. Sample Introduction Traditionally, weekly newspapers served as the voice of small town rural Alberta. They were not only the purveyor of news events but also the mouthpiece of the community on many issues. Today, the weeklies maintain only a façade of the integrity they once represented. Weekly newspapers, for the most part, are so obsessed with profit that they are an embarrassment to a discerning public.

6. Granted, a few weeklies may still be concerned with quality news reporting. They are accurate, honest and unbiased; but the majority of news reports in small town newspapers concentrate on those stories which will please most of the readers and all of the advertisers. Because the paper is so influenced by the advertisers, omissions occur in order to protect the profit. For example, a reporter who covers a local theater performance may decide to omit any criticisms of the production because many of those involved are advertisers or potential advertisers. Thus, the reader is treated to a mediocre review of the production instead of intelligent comments suggesting improvements. The newspaper had decided not to offend its paying customers in exchange for news copy which discerning readers know is misleading.

7. Consequently, much of the copy in the small town newspaper is subject to scrutiny by the advertisers. Since the number of advertisements controls the amount of copy, the advertisers wield a lot of power. Publishers pander to the wishers of their advertisers, and as a result, the news copy is weak or fluffy. Controversy is never allowed to interfere with new reporting. To discriminating readers, such censorship is presumptuous and injurious to their intelligence.

8. The final blow to the integrity of the weekly newspaper is the acceptance of the fact that the publisher is bound to accept the directions of its advertisers. He cannot exceed the boundaries set by the advertisers for fear they may Withdraw their accounts. As a result, he forces his employees to write “fill”. In turn, the employees are compelled to placate their readers. Thus, the power of advertiser meets acceptance at all levels.

9. Wrapping It Up – The Conclusion • The conclusion provides the writer one last chance to persuade the reader. • It should contain the restated thesis and a summary of the main points. • Restated Thesis – should NOT be exactly the same as the thesis statement in the introduction. You want to portray the same message but written differently. • The most important thing to remember is that the conclusion should “convey a sense of completeness and closure as well as a sense of the lingering possibilities of the topic”.

10. The Conclusion • The last paragraph of your essay should give a sense of finality. • Your conclusion should have two parts: • A reworded thesis statement (again, not stated exactly the same as the one in the introductory paragraph.) • A clincher • They are intended to remind your readers what your reader has just learned from your 3 central paragraphs. • Your final sentence should leave the reader no doubt that your essay has ended and that your opinion is correct.

11. A Conclusion Should NOT… • Be a simple summary of the essay. • Contain an apology for your position on the argument. • Allow readers the chance to question your stance on the topic. • Do not undercut your authority by using phrases such as: “This is not just one approach…” “It seems like… “ • Begin with “in conclusion”, “to conclude”, or “in summary”.

12. In the end… • Using these simple tips will help you create effective introduction and conclusion paragraphs which will make your essay flow.

13. Sample Conclusion And so, an intelligent public is forced to endure the embarrassment of supporting a weekly newspaper whose bottom line is profit instead of tradition. The weeklies serve as the mouthpiece of the community only in the sense that they are distributed community wide. Clearly, small town newspapers have sacrificed their honor for a price. Unfortunately, the responsible reader pays.

14. An Essay Checklist: • Introduction: ____ Does your introduction begin with a motivator? ____ Does your introduction have a thesis statement? ____ Is the thesis statement precise? ____ Does the thesis statement state your opinion? ____ Do your central paragraphs relate to your thesis?

15. Central Paragraphs: ____ Does each central paragraph begin with a topic sentence? ____ Does each topic sentence have a transition from the previous paragraph? ____ Is your support enough to be convincing? ____ Does your support clearly support the topic sentence (unity)? ____ Do you explain your support fully to make the relation to the topic sentence?

16. Conclusion ____ Does your conclusion have a reworded thesis statement? ____ Does your conclusion end with a clincher? ____ Is your conclusion “ forward thinking”?

17. Other: ____ Is your essay convincing? ____ Is your essay interesting? ____ Have you checked your spelling and grammar? ____ Is your essay typed in either Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri, 12pt font, and double spaced? ____ Does your essay include a proper title page? ____ Did you proofread, read aloud and/or have a friend read your paper for errors? ____ Do you have a proper bibliography?