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Writing the Introduction

Writing the introduction is one of the most important part of writing. The introduction mustgrab your reader’s attention, or the reader will not bother to read any farther.

THE INTRODUCTION DOES THESE THREE THINGS:

1. Introduces your subject.

2. Catches the readers attention.

3. Gives your thesis, opinion, main idea.

SEVEN EYE-CATCHING WAYS TO BEGIN AN INTRODUCTION:

1. Begin with a list of events, people, places connected to your subject

Panther, cougar, Puma, mountain lion, lynx, of these which doesn’t belong?

2. Find a great quotation relating to your subject. Look in your articles or in a

book of quotations.

"I’m on the air 12 nights a week, but I still eat dinner with my family each night" -- Jane Pauley

3. Search through your notes for a startling fact. Look through almanacs or

book of world records.

The largest living thing in the world is a 200 ton fungus that lives in Michigan.

4. Ask a thought-provoking question or series of questions. The question must

not be easy to answer and one you would want to know the answer. Don’t

give the answer until the end of the report.

Why do females look different from males? What is the advantage in having different body styles?

5. Begin with a definition and a description of what it is you are writing about.

This is good if people are not familiar with your subject. Use a dictionary and then a clear description in your own words.

Umiak or oomiak -- a long open, Eskimo boat made of stretched skins on a frame. We might think of this as a big canoe or kayak.

6. Begin with an interesting story about your subject. Look for these in

magazine or newspaper articles about how something was discovered, or a humorous event that occurred.

Two men were severely injured when the bobcat they had captured and placed in a burlap bag got loose in their house, and attacked both men. They were treated for cuts, scrapes, and bites on 90% of their bodies. They said "Gee, it seemed like a good idea at the time."

7. Refer to a historical or current event. Inform or refresh your readers mind

with an account of the event.

On December 10, 1998, space module Unity was united with module Zarya, 250 miles up in space to become the International Space Station. This was accomplished after 12 years of planning by the world.

Writing the Conclusion

A conclusion rivals the introduction as one of the most important task of writing a report. The role of the conclusion is to leave the reader with a sense of reward for staying with the report, and a sense of completion.

THE CONCLUSION DOES THESE THREE THINGS:

1. Reminds your reader of the most important things you said in your report.

I hope you will remember that the aardvark is an important part of the African ecosystem that helps keep the insect population in check.

2. Gives your reader a "gift" -- a new thought, a new idea, or some new inform --

ation not found anywhere else in your report.

Even though the aardvark may not look like it, the aardvark is actually related to the groundhog.

3. Wraps up smoothly all that you have said so the reader knows that you are

finished with the report.

The aardvark not only has a weird spelling for a name, but also has a weird look to match. It is still one of the most important parts of the African food chain.

WAYS TO WRITE A CONCLUSION:

1. Echo the approach you used in your introduction:

if you asked a question, give your answer.

if you began with a story, finish your story here.

refer back to your list, definition, event, fact, or quotation.

2. Restate your thesis and summarize your reason for your opinion. Suggest any

action, changes, projects, or predictions your research suggests you should take.