YOUR INTRODUCTION SHOULD INCLUDE...

• Some background information or a general overview
• Give a commonly held belief about the subject (either positive or negative)
• A quote or reference to research you have done
• A thesis statement (say what your opinion is and what you will be arguing in the essay)
• Give some details about the structure of your essay

Check to make sure your introduction includes all of these before you give me your draft tomorrow!!

Introduction to introductions

This week you'll be writing your first introduction of the month. We'll be looking at what an introduction should include but in the meantime have a look at this link.
There's some good advice on using linkers here.
Have fun..

Example introduction

‘The dangers of the internet are greater than the benefits it brings.’ To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Since the early 1990s there has been an unprecedented shift in the way human beings interact and communicate with each other, largely driven by the exponential growth of the Internet. Easy access to vast quantities of information and the ability to communicate instantly with people in all corners of the globe have revolutionised our lives. It is generally agreed that the advent of the Internet has brought benefits across a range of fields, including education, culture and communication. However, some people maintain that it brings great dangers and that these outweigh its positive benefits. Some critics of the Internet claim that it is harmful to children, in fact, Jones et al go as far as to say that “bla bla bla bla bla bla” (Jones et al, 2006). Nevertheless, this essay will argue that, although the Internet undoubtedly has some dangers, the benefits it brings to our society are far greater.First of all, the essay will outline the most common arguments given by critics of the Internet, then it will go on to discuss the overwhelmingly positive impact which the internet has had on our society. Finally, it will examine ways in which the negative impacts and the dangers of the Internet in this brave new world can be minimised and controlled. (213 words)

An example introduction (from today's class)

Immigration to the UK has been a controversial topic for many years. When the EU expanded in 2004 and the border was opened up to migrant workers from the ex-Soviet bloc countries, the level of immigration to the UK “reached its highest level in history” (The Guardian, May 24th 2007). London is now the most cosmopolitan city in the world, it is a city in which over 200 languages are spoken and where it is possible to meet people from almost every nation. It is often argued that this level of immigration has had a negative effect on the UK, both in terms of the economy and on society as a whole. However, this essay will argue that this new wave of immigration from Europe, and indeed from other countries, has had a hugely beneficial impact on the economic and social life of the country.
The first part of the essay will examine the recent history of immigration in the UK and look at some of the common negative stereotypes about immigration. It will then go on to explain the numerous benefits which this new wave of migrant workers has brought to the UK and analyse its positive effects.

(Words 200)

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.