What should an introduction include?

Today we had our first look at the two essay questions on p52 and brainstormed a few ideas on the topic. You need to choose one of them to write your introduction. As I said in class, I am interested in the quality of your introduction, more than the quantity. You should write at least 150 words, but I am not too worried if you do not write 200-250.

Remember what an introduction should include?

• an overview or background to the topic - this can (but does not have to) include a quotation from some reading or research which you have done on the subject.
• it often describes common views on the topic, even if they are not the same as the writer's views - we looked at some example language: 'It is widely believed that....'
• it must make clear the writer's main viewpoint or argument (this is called the 'thesis statement'
• it should give an idea of the content and organisation of the essay

Tomorrow we are going to start writing some practice introductions and looking at useful language for talking about your aims.