Lesson
Five: Introductions and Conclusons
Introduction
Surprised
to see introductions as the topic of our second-to-last
lesson? Most writers find that it is nearly impossible to
craft an essay by beginning with the introduction. The best
leads often develop during and after writers have written
the remainder of the essay.
Maybe
a fantastic introduction or conclusion is caught floating
around in the middle of your rough draft. Maybe you find
that your essay does not even need an introduction or conclusion
(see sidebar). More likely, however, it is in these later
stages that you have a good sense of the way your essay
is shaping up, all the way to the nitty-gritty details.
Since beginnings and endings can be the most challenging
and important part of any piece of writing, you will want
to take advantage of a completed rough draft.
Part
of the reason why introductions and conclusions are so difficult
is that writers tend to worry about them too much. Writing
teachers give so much attention to the need for a thorough
introduction and a sharply drawn conclusion that anxious
essayists compensate by going overboard. They feel that
in order to appear mature and worldly, their essays must
contain profound insights and sweeping observations.
While
your introduction and conclusion need not provide the answers
to every worldly problem, they do need to be engaging. Admissions
officers may spend just a few minutes reading your essay.
Your introduction must grab their interest from the beginning
and your conclusion must make a lasting impression.
 Continue
to Introductions
|
EssayEdge Extra: No Introduction??!!
Most
applicants assume that a good essay must have
an introduction and conclusion. While most essays
do require these bookends, there are some instances
in which an introduction and conclusion can actually
diminish the quality of your essay. Heed the advice
of one admissions officer:
“When
you have finished writing the rest of your rough
draft, you may discover that you don't need
an introduction at all. But isn't that risky?
Maybe. But believe it or not, more essays have
been ruined by forced and unnecessary introductions
than have been ruined by the lack of one. Largely
this is because of the misconception of what
an introduction is supposed to accomplish. This
is especially true if you are writing your essay
as a narrative. It might feel risky or uncomfortable
just letting the story stand on its own. You
might be afraid that your reader will miss the
point. But the point should be made in the story
-- through the telling -- not before or after
it. If you really cannot resist, then offer
your observations and explanations in the conclusion
instead of the introduction, leaving you free
to begin your essay with the action.”
|
Continue
to Introductions
| 
