Writing Skills 1 Introductions Writing Skills 1 INTRODUCTIONS

Writing Skills 1 Introductions

Writing Skills 1 • INTRODUCTIONS • Introduction might be the most important part of the essay in one respect: it is your first contact with the audienve and you for sure would like to make an impression on her/him during the first encounter. If your introduction is ordinary, in real life situations the reader simply stops reading.

Writing Skills 1 • You need to give the reader a reson to read your essay in the opening of your essay. In that respect introduction is the most important part of the essay. Now consider the general ways of getting the attention of the audience. What can you do in the introduction other than starting with a general statement?

Writing Skills 1 • There are some ways to start your essay. The most common way, and therefore the one you should avoid, is starting with a general statement such as “Human beings have always lived in communities”. Or “history has witnessed the foundation and fall of many civilizations”. Although these statements are okay by themselves, please find more interesting introductions.

Writing Skills 1 • Starting with a startling statement or attacking a common opinion is a good way to get the attention. • You can also start with a rhetorical question. Make sure that the question is rhetorical. • A joke, an anecdote or a very brief case study might be a good start depending on its relavance to your topic.

Writing Skills 1 • Quotes, which are very esay to find and numerous thanks to the internet, can be used as good openers. • One or more of the stated strategies might be used as long as you have an interesting start. • Please keep in mind: if you do not give the reader a good reason to read your essay, s/he can move on to the next piece in an instant, as we do while zapping