Types of Introductions: For ENG102 papers, an introduction can be one to three paragraphs.

CASE 1:  Your introduction is one paragraph.  It directly states your thesis, perhaps the subtopics you are going to cover, and/or how you are going to argue/discuss your topic.

 

CASE 2: Your introduction is one or two paragraphs. 

1) See CASE 1, but also, as a brief paragraph, you use one of the creative techniques below, A-G, to hook the attention of the reader.  OR

2) You use one of the creative techniques below, A-G, to briefly but dramatically hook the attention of the reader, then quickly in a second paragraph raise and discuss your thesis in light of the creative method you used as intro.

 

CASE 3: Your introduction can be up to 3 paragraphs (up to 4 for the larger, 6-8 page paper). 

1)As a brief paragraph, you use one of the creative techniques below, A-G, to hook the attention of the reader. 

2)By end of 1st para or quickly in the 2nd para. you raise and discuss your thesis in light of the creative method you used. 

3)By the third or so paragraph you present (very briefly) enough history and definitions to allow an average reader to understand what you are talking about.

 

SOME CREATIVE TECHNIQUES FOR INTRODUCTIONS

 

Technique                                                                                           STYLES: Sample intros for the technique

A) Story/Quote/dramatic, important example (5 Styles)

Best if you…: If you are creative, have a life experience related to your topic, or know a very dramatic example

1)A Dramatic example
2)Dramatic example: the only person who could make achievement
3)
A quote that summarizes/exemplifies the achiever/achievement
4)Story Someone enjoying benefit of XXXXX
5)
Tell a story: What if the achievement hadn’t happened?

B) Then and Now (7 Styles)

Best if you…: If you are dealing with a topic or thesis that concerns a very dramatic or impressive change

 

1) The situation before the issue/achievement, how it used to be.  Then what was done/happened/arrived
2) Narrate the now: narrate an example of the achievement in action, and how it wasn't always like this
3) Obstacles in the way then: how it did not stop the achiever
4) Briefly list a  few important achievements in chronological order and achiever’s role in them
5) Outdid a past achievement/record:  everyone though achievement was peak, but it was outdone

6) Achievement perceived then/ vs perceived

7) Frowned upon then/highly regarded now

C) Controversial Statement (5 Styles)

Best if you…: You want to make a shocking statement *AND* you HAVE strong proof to counter the initial shock

 

1) Is ________ really  __________?  Or is he pretending? Lying?:
2)
The beginning of __________ really wasn’t a good thing
3) The beginning of __________ really wasn’t a bad thing
4) The End of __________ really wasn’t a good thing.
5) The End of __________ really wasn’t a bad thing

D) What really Happened (4 styles)

Best if you…: Know something most don't/ discover a secret or a hidden truth

1) Some say this/some say that
2) What people believed vs what really happened
3) Clearing up a misconception: what people think, what really was ______ or Few people know….:

4) Too humble to take credit

E) Biographical Fact that plays vital role in Achiever's nature (5 Styles)

Best if you…: are doing an Achiever paper, and there are some unique biographical factors for a person or group that are significant, surprising, amusing, or vital

1) Humble beginnings
2) Unusual beginnings
3) ”It was his whole life” :
4) What achiever’s life was before the achievement:
5) One small step foreshadowing future importance/First small achievement  “pointing to greater things”

F) Differences/Different point of view/Compare & Contrast (4 styles)

Best if you…: If your topic deals with very different things or arguments with radically different points of view

1) Many achievements, but one stands out far above the others
2) What people thought of the achiever/achievement vs what he or she thought of himself or herself
3) Compare two people/groups trying to be first to an achievement
4) Compare/contrast one group that gained from an achievement and one group that lost from the same achievement

G) Directly state your thesis (1 Style)

Best if you…: If you are strongest at logic, debate, and progressive reasoning, or are doing a short essay question (less than 1 page)