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How to write a good introduction |
| The topic of the essay was: Television has a negative impact on children and teenagers. What do you think about this? |
We had created a jot list of points-some in favor of television and some showing its negative aspects.
You need to now decide whether you agree or disagree with the topic statement. If you agree that television has a negative impact on children and teenagers, the introduction will need to encapsulate this idea as the thesis statement. |
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| The introduction could be |
| Television is the most popular medium of entertainment today1. It is cheap and easily accessible, and every home today boasts a TV set2. TV gives us immediate information on what is happening across the world3. We get to see different countries and people of different cultures, thanks to channels like “Discovery.4” In spite of all the advantages, TV has a number of fallout for youngsters5. Children are exposed to programs not meant for them at all, often causing grave harm to their psyche6. Although a medium of communication, ironically, television can hamper communication between friends and family members7. Most importantly, people addicted to TV, whether young or old, suffer from various ailments8. These drawbacks far outweigh the merits of TV9. |
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| Explaining the introduction: |
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Sentences 1 and 2 are simply laying the groundwork for the topic. This is important from a reader's perspective. A reader needs to understand what the essay is going to be about. Unless it is clear to him/her, s/he will not feel motivated to read.
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Note: In any writing that requires you to either agree or disagree with a topic, you need to include a few sentences acknowledging the opposite point of view. This will indicate to the reader that you have considered both aspects of the issue and have arrived at your stance after due consideration. This will increase the credibility of your argument. This is what has been done in sentences 3 and 4. A few of the advantages that had been put down in the jot list has been culled out and placed here. Take care to see that you do not mention too many advantages. That would weaken the main thrust of your essay, which is to convince the reader of TV's negative influence.
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The highlighted sentence, sentence 5, is the thesis statement-the most important sentence of the introduction and the crux of the essay. The topic has been reworded to present the writer's view on it. The thesis statement can appear anywhere in the introduction-in the beginning, middle, or at the end.
Note: Do not copy the topic verbatim to use as your thesis statement. Always reframe it to reflect your own understanding and approach to the topic. The rest of the essay will revolve around this thesis statement. You will need to argue your stance in such a manner that the reader will finally agree with you even if s/he had felt differently.
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Sentences 6, 7, and 8 are the main points that have been culled out from the jot list to show that television has a negative impact on children and teenagers alike. You will need to build the body of the essay based on these points. Each of the body paragraphs will revolve around one of these points validated with examples.
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Sentence 9 is the hook sentence. Each paragraph ends with a hook sentence that connects that paragraph to the next one in a coherent manner. Without a hook sentence, the paragraphs can appear to stand separate from each other thus giving the essay a fragmented feel. Good hook sentences give any piece of writing a smooth, logical flow, making it reader-friendly. |
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| In the next issue, I will show you how we can develop the main points into three cohesive body paragraphs supported with examples. |
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