Drafting: Writing Introductions and Conclusions

Introduction

Writing your introduction

Capture your audience’s attention

Set the right tone

Present your thesis

Writing your conclusion

Introduction

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

—Lao-tzu

Parting is such sweet sorrow. —William Shakespeare

The beginning of or introduction to your composition is where the reader starts his or her journey with you.

The ending of or conclusion to your composition is where the reader and your ideas part ways.

Introduction

Some of the most memorable moments in relationships are the hellos and goodbyes—when two people first meet and then later part ways.

Many readers have similar experiences when they start and finish a good piece of writing.

When you write, make sure the first and last parts your readers encounter are engaging and memorable.

Writing your introduction

The introduction is an important part of any piece of writing. As the name suggests, this is where your readers are introduced to your ideas.

The introduction to a piece of writing should

establish the right tone

capture your audience’s attention

state or suggest your thesis

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention

Have you ever heard someone described as “great— once you get to know him”? First impressions are important. What first impressions do these people give?

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention

Your writing must also make a good first impression. The introduction is your chance to capture your audience’s attention and make them want to continue reading.

Address the reader directly. When readers think about their own connection to the topic, they are more likely to continue reading.

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention

To draw your readers in immediately, try beginning your introduction with one of the following attention-getting techniques:

Are you familiar with the expression “take your breath away”? That is exactly what happened to me the first time I saw Yosemite Falls.

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention

Tell an anecdote (a short, personal story). Readers are often more interested in a topic when they can see the human side of it.

I was anxious the first time I went camping in a remote area of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. What would it be like to go without running water, to sleep in a tent, and to cook meals over a campfire? To my surprise, I found that though it wasn’t easy, it was incredibly relaxing.

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention

Ask an intriguing question. Readers will stick around to see how you answer the question you’ve posed.

What is 264 feet tall, 35 feet wide, and 1,650 years old? When you explore nature, you never know what you might find along the way.

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention

Define a key word that is important to understanding your topic. Some readers respond well to being logically—rather than emotionally—engaged by the topic.

According to Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition, a glacier is “a large body of ice moving slowly down a slope or valley or spreading outward on a land surface.” Many of the Sierra Nevada’s unique landforms are a result of glacial movement over millions of years.

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention

Start with an interesting quotation. Many people—famous and ordinary alike—have probably made interesting comments that relate to your topic.

John Muir, famous naturalist and founder of the Sierra Club, wrote, “In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” This holds true whether you are walking the Sierra Nevada Mountains or your local park.

Writing your introduction Capture your audience’s attention

Kara, a student writing about dog training, decided to start her paper with an interesting quotation.

Every pet owner wants a well-behaved animal. According to Lynn Johnston, a local professional dog trainer, it is not necessary to have lots of money in order to have a well-behaved dog. “Expensive food and fancy toys won’t make your dog happy.”

Writing your introductionSet the right tone

Tone is the attitude toward your subject that is revealed in your writing.

As you craft your introduction, establish a tone that is appropriate to the audience and the purpose of your writing.

For example, your tone might be

objective logical

humorous

critical

detached formalimpassioned

cynical

wry

Writing your introductionSet the right tone

Kara is writing an article for her school newspaper, and she decided that she should use an informal tone. She’ll use simple, ordinary language, including

slang

colloquialisms

contractions

shorter, simpler sentence structures

Writing your introductionPresent your thesis

A writer often ends an introduction by presenting his or her thesis to the reader.

Whether you have an explicit thesis statement or an implied thesis, presenting your thesis just before the body of your paper is like telling your reader, “Now that I’ve got your attention, here’s an idea of what you’re going to be reading about.”

Writing your introductionPresent your thesis

Here is Kara’s thesis statement:

If you want a well-behaved dog, you have to commit to giving your pet regular exercise, clear rules, and loads of affection.

interesting quotation

Every pet owner wants a well-behaved animal. According to Lynn Johnston, a local professional dog trainer, it is not necessary to have lots of money in order to have a well-behaved dog. “Expensive food and fancy toys won’t make your dog happy.” If you want a well-behaved dog, you have to commit to giving your pet regular exercise, clear rules, and loads of affection.

Writing your introduction

Note that Kara’s tone, attention-getting technique, and thesis work together to make an effective introduction.

informal tone

thesis statement

Writing your conclusion

The conclusion of a piece of writing is just as important as the introduction. Your conclusion is your last chance to influence and make an impression on your readers.

Your conclusion should

tie your ideas together

make a strong impression

give your reader a sense of completion

Writing your conclusion

One way to tie all of your ideas together is to restate your thesis and summarize your main points. Don’t repeat the same words and sentences; find new ways to express your ideas.

The benefits of even a short nature walk are long lasting. They include a sense of calm, a positive attitude, and a fresh perspective on the world around you.

Writing your conclusion

Answer the question “So what?” To make an impression on your readers, show them that the topic is important by relating it to their lives.

Why should you bother to seek out nature? Because nature does not care if you are rich or poor, young or old. Nature does not judge you. Instead, if you let it, nature rewards you.

Writing your conclusion

End with a final thought. Give your readers a thoughtful comment, a personal reaction, or an insight that ties your ideas both to the readers’ experience and to the world in general.

The grandeur of the Sierra Nevada is indescribable. Whether you visit Yosemite for a day or spend a week hiking on remote trails, you will leave with a sense of serenity and gratitude.

restatement of thesis

final thought

If you make the effort to give your dog the exercise, discipline, and love it needs, you will be rewarded for your efforts. A happy, secure, and well-behaved dog can be a loyal and affectionate companion for many years.

Kara has written a strong conclusion to her essay on dog training. What strategy did she use?

Writing your conclusion

The End