Blog Entry #8

Flemming’s Introductory Paragraph

• The first sentence should interest the reader (hook)
• This could include: surprising fact, humor, quotation,
• This is followed by a few sentences that lead up to the thesis
• These should provide details about the subject or process
• Thesis should be informative and direct (VERY IMPORTANT)
• Sentences for adding a hook can contain: curiosity, a definition, or an anecdote
• After first draft, reconstruct introductory paragraph (make sure thesis is still accurate)
• Recheck first sentence (make sure it’s still enticing)

How to Write a Research Paper – Introduction

• Describe the importance of the study
• Explain why this model was used (advantages)
• State objectives
• Very briefly describe the experimental design and how it helped complete objectives
• Use past tense (except with facts)
• One major point with each paragraph
• Present background information only to support a point
• State the objective clearly (do not over simplify)
• Pay attention to the appropriateness of sentences

I feel that the introduction is the most important part of the paper. If it not done well, the reader will not have interest in the topic. It gives the writer a chance to fully explain the topic to the reader. Some type of hook is needed to catch the reader attention and keep it.

Works Cited

Flemming, Grace. “The Introductory Paragraph.” (n.d.) 12 April 2010. <http://homeworktips.about.com/od/paperassignments/a/introsentence.htm>.

Caprette, David R. “How to Write a Research Paper.” Rice University. 20 Aug. 2007.  22 March 2010. <http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~bioslabs/tools/report/reportform.html#intro>.

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