This post on JC General Paper Essays shares the
secrets of how to write a successful and significant introduction in your General
Paper essay.
Introduction – to How
to Write an Introduction
Writing a strong, successful, and impactful opening
introduction for your General Paper essay, or any essay in general, can sometimes
be a challenging task.
How does one write a strong and impactful introduction
that sets the significance, direction, tone, and even the pace of the paper?
In this post, I will help you learn the secrets
of how to write an introduction for different types of essays.
Disclaimer – Different
Opinions Abound
Now, before we begin, it should be obvious that
there are no actual hard-and-fast rules about how you should write your
introductory paragraph. It is not a fixed formula, like in Mathematics. Therefore,
if two different people give you two apparently different ideas on writing an
introduction, then chances are … both of
them are right, but it really depends on the context, question, and situation
being presented.
This is exactly what happens most of the time
with GP students, for example, when student A complains that one teacher said
this, while another student B said another tutor said something entirely
different, and then a very interesting and perhaps strongly-worded conversation
may ensue … but I digress.
This difference in opinion on what makes a good
introduction is true because there are different methods, tactics, techniques,
or approaches to crafting a strong introduction.
Focus on Principles,
Yet Know Techniques
Therefore, it is more productive to focus on
principles on writing a strong, successful, and impactful opening for your
General Paper essay instead – and there can be some more or less universal
principles or rules of how to write a good introduction for your GP essay.
This post will share useful, universal
principles or rules on how to write a good introduction.
Yet, in addition to principles, in this post we
also share some common techniques and methods as well.
Both strategies and tactics will be covered for
your benefit.
First, before we begin to learn the principles
and the secrets of what makes a good introduction, you need to first understand
the purpose of introduction paragraph to write it well.
Purpose of an
Introduction
The introduction generally serves the following
functions or purposes:
1. An introduction introduces the topic or
theme of discussion.
2. An introduction sets the context and lays
the foundation or basis for your arguments.
3. An introduction states the thesis statement (a
thesis statement is what you want to argue as your overall argument, but it can
consist of a thesis (“for”) and an anti-thesis (“against”)) and informs readers
about what to expect in the essay when they read it.
Now, if you meet these purposes, then your
introduction will be good, however you frame it or approach it.
Principles for
Successful Introductions
In other words, the principles for successful
introductions are:
1. You need to make sure that you introduce
your specific topic or theme. In fact, that is why it is called an introduction
in the first case.
You need a topic or theme.
2. You need to make sure that you set the
context and background of your topic or theme. Some people go so far as to say
that you need to set the motivation – the why of this context, the why of this
paper in the first case – to make a good introduction.
You need context, background, and motivation.
3. You want to make sure you make an overarching
argument that you will develop in the paper. You need to show, as it were, an
outline or main argument of what you will be discussing in the paper.
You need to tell me what you will be telling me
in your paper.
That is all. Very simple, yet effective
principles.
The issue is, as always: how can these
principles be realised in practice?
Simple and Effective
Methods to Crafting Introductions
There are some simple and effective methods
that you might need to be familiar with.
1. Defining Keywords
to start your General Paper essay
One way to introduce is by defining the
keywords of your essay question. Using definitions in your introduction is
appropriate when the meanings of certain terms need to be clarified, when it is
either necessary, or more likely appropriate, and when you need to set limit to
the scope or focus of your General Paper essay.
2. Using Anecdotes to
start your General Paper essay
Another easy and effective method of starting
your General Paper essay is to use anecdotes to set up the context. An anecdote
is basically a short and interesting story, with a moral or a point to the
story. Such anecdotes set a context and situation for your General Paper essay
and communicate your argument to the reader. If you can come up with an extended
anecdote, your General Paper essay can be very attractive to your readers as
well as effective in conveying your overall message.
3. Using quotations
and/or rhetorical questions to start your General Paper essay
Quotations can include any famous sayings, or
proverbs which are suitable in the context of the question. Such quotations not
only make it easier to begin your essay, but also provide you with more ideas
on the topic. So, it is another useful way to introduce your essay.
As Benjamin Franklin, a polymath and one of the
Founding Fathers of the United States, might say:
“The wise man draws more advantage from his
enemies than the fool from his friends.”
“Wish not so much to live long as to live well.”
“Eat to live, and not live to eat.”
“A true Friend is the best Possession.”
4. Moving from general
to specific arguments in your General Paper essay introduction
Another way to begin your General Paper essay is
by making a general statement about the theme or topic.
You first introduce the general ideas on the theme
or topic and then proceed towards more specific ideas, which you’ll be
discussing in the essay.
A Model Example
Now, let’s look at an example of a good model introduction
to a GP essay, and you can reflect and think about why this paragraph is good:
"If we examine the world today, we often see many
people aspiring to achieve better things for themselves or their loved ones
around them, or in metaphorical terms, they “march to a different drummer”.
Dreams can be defined as aspirations or ambitions, and can be to pursue a
passion or a career. These aspirations or ambitions are arguably necessary as
objectives and purposes in life. Yet, some more realistic, even grounded, critics
counter-argue that dreams are not necessary because they only serve to distract
one from the practicalities of life’s demands, or are a frivolous and
impractical waste of time pursuing mere chimeras. While it is true that most
dreams do not result in real changes and transformations, these myopic critics may
not see the power and impact of dreams to make real changes in society. Hence,
this paper argues that dreams have the ability to be powerful because of their
meaning to individuals, their impact on society, and their strongly symbolic
significance, but they should be taken in a context of realism and their
applicability to real life."
Concluding Remarks
Think about what makes this essay introduction good
and strong, and why? How could you improve on this introduction? What makes a really good essay, and what arguments could be advanced to support this introduction?
Always reflect on how you can improve. Be even better than you already are.
Thank you for reading, and cheers.
JC General Paper
Essays – how to prepare for GP