Page 158 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing

general topic, the narrow-to-broad introduction begins at a point that is
smaller than your thesis and expands toward that thesis. With this

method, you can create an unusual and intriguing opening.

Example of Narrow-to-Broad Introduction

Thousands of feet above the earth, a small crystal traces a zigzag

path to the bleak landscape below. It is the first snowflake of the

season, soon to be followed by many more that will blanket the earth
in a layer of white. Winter is my favorite of all the seasons. I love

its beauty, I enjoy the opportunity to ski, and, like a kid, I can

never wait for Christmas to arrive.

Exercise 4-2 A Narrow-to-Broad

Introduction

Arrange the following numbered sentences so that they form a

narrow-to-broad introduction, ending with the thesis.

1. Seeing my father dying without dignity only reinforces my belief

that physicians should be allowed to assist the suicides of
terminally ill patients.

2. His eyes show no sign of recognition as I enter the room and

say, “Hello, Dad.”

3. As I stand in the doorway of his hospital room, I see my father,

his hand curled like a fallen leaf and tied to the bed’s metal
safety bar with a Velcro wrist cuff.