College Composition / Unit 19 CMP 0451 short lesson, about 20 seconds
What an Introduction Does
Captions available
The idea
Beyond grabbing attention, an introduction names the central issue, gives needed background, and leads to the thesis.
In practice
A strong opening gives readers their first clues about the subject and the writer's stance, and in academic writing it often ends with the thesis.
Where people slip
An opening that entertains but never reaches the issue leaves readers unsure what the paper is about.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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