Page 154 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

Purposes of an Introduction

1 Identify the purposes of an introduction.

1. An introduction draws your reader into the essay.
The first sentence of your introduction should be as irresistible

as a box of Belgian chocolates. True, it won’t always turn out

that way. Aim high anyway. A reader who is drawn in by the

first sentence is more likely to read the second and the third.

2. An introduction advances the general topic of your essay.

Have you ever noticed how people approach a topic of
conversation? They don’t just walk up and say, “The

colonization of space may become an increasingly important

goal as the world’s population increases,” or “May I borrow

20 dollars?” Instead, they ease into the conversation, giving

their listeners time to make a mental shift to the topic before

bringing up the main point.
Your reader needs to make a similar mental shift. When you

ease into the thesis by bringing up your general topic first, your

reader has time to turn her thoughts away from whatever is on

her mind—the price of gas or what to eat for lunch—and to get

in the mood to listen to what you have to say.