1. EFFECTIVE METHODS FOR WRITING POWERFUL INTRODUCTIONS & CONCLUSIONS Western Literature & Composition I

2. PURPOSES OF THE INTRODUCTION  Establish a contract with the reader  Include a clear statement of purpose (thesis statement).  Grab or hook the reader’s attention

3. INTRODUCTION DO’S  Write your body paragraphs first.  Consider using the funnel approach  Begin with an insightful questions (Be careful here. Do not write a question in 2 nd person).  Begin with an anecdote  Begin with a relevant quotation  Begin with an interesting fact

4. INTRODUCTION DON’TS  Avoid writing directly about the assignment.  Avoid the “dictionary definition” opening.  Avoid asking generic questions like “What is anger?” or “What is a leader?”  Avoid sweeping generalizations like “Since the beginning of time education has played an important role?”

5. PURPOSES OF THE CONCLUSION  Reinforce information at the beginning of the paper.  Provides a “sense of scope.”  Leaves the reader with a final, lasting impression.

6. CONCLUSION DO’S  Return to a technique you used in the introduction.  Restate (using different words) your thesis.  Stretch your paper beyond the boundaries of your discussion.

7. CONCLUSIONS DON’T  Avoid mechanical reproduction of the introduction and thesis.  Avoid cramming new content into your paper.