Introductions In an Expository Essay

What does a good introduction do?  Introduces the topic to the reader and gives some background – be specific. Do not say: I’m going to write about comic books. Say: Comic books have evolved a lot since their first conception.  Have a thesis statement. This will be the last sentence of your introduction. A thesis statement is outlines your entire paper by giving a brief preview of the body paragraphs. Do not say : “ I’m going to tell you a bit about how comic books have changed. Say: “Throughout the years comic books have changed to have more complex plots, better graphics, and reach out to wider audience.”

What tense should your introduction be in?  All formal writing MUST be written in third person.  First person is referring to one’s self such as “ I”, “my”, “me”, or “mine”  Second person is referring directly to the reader “you”, “your”, or “you’re”  Third person uses someone’s actual name or can refer to any person such as “a person”, “a boy”, “a girl”, “one”, “a man”, “a woman”, “Ms. Fernandez”, etc…  If you are tempted to write in third person such as saying “You might think…” switch it to third person for example: “One might think”

Things Not To Do and Why  Do not ask questions in your introduction or anywhere in your paper. Bad introduction: “Have you ever wondered how comic books have changed?” Your reader will not answer your questions, nor do you want them to question anything you say. Therefore, everything in the paper should come off as fact. Your reader shouldn’t go in with questions nor have any questions at the end of the paper. Avoid using questions anywhere in your paper, use statements instead. Better introduction: There have been a variety of changes to comics including the way that they are read and the people who are reading them.  Do not refer to the essay it’s self Bad Introduction: “In this essay I will talk about the evolution of comic books.” Your reader already knows that he or she is reading an essay and they don’t need you to tell them that. It just sounds like meaningless filler. Better introduction: “ Comic books have evolved through the years from short strips in the Sunday paper to full blown heroic epics.”

Things not to do…  Do not ever use the phrases “ I think”, “I feel”, or “In my opinion” Why? This essay isn’t about “you”, it isn’t about the reader, it’s about Playstation and Xbox. Saying “I think” means you’re not telling me the facts you are just telling me your thoughts. The point of an argumentative essay is to state your point of view as though it was a fact. Your reader is suppose to come out after reading your essay thinking that your side is the only logical one. Not because of your feelings towards the subject, but because the facts which you displayed point to only that one rational conclusion that your side is the right one.  Do not use a quote in your introduction unless the entire essay is going to focus around that quote. Save your quotes for your body paragraphs. Why? Starting with a quote will confuse your reader into thinking that the whole essay is about the quote. The introduction is a brief summary or preview of what your reader will expect to see in your essay and should always be in your own words.

Example of Good Introduction  Comic books have evolved a lot since their first conception. While there are many different comic books out there, they are no longer just restricted to a short strip in the Sunday newspaper. Depending on the comic book the target audience can range from eight year old kids all the way up to adults. Comic books can even be read on a computer or tablet as opposed to only on paper.. Throughout the years comic books have changed to have more complex plots, better graphics, and reach out to wider audience.