Introductions and Conclusions
The classic image for an introduction and conclusion: an hourglass. Start broad, get specific, end broad. You want to guide your reader through your essay. I explain below how to do it.
The Introduction: Broad to Specific – bring readers in.
- The Hook (1 Sentence): You need to grab your reader's attention and draw them into your essay. The hook should be related to the topic of your essay.
- Background Information/Context (1-2 Sentences): What does the reader need to understand about the text in order to understand your essay? This is not a summary of the whole text, but again the parts that connect to what you're discussing.
- Thesis (1 Sentence): We all know what this is. The point of your essay. If you didn't include the title of the text (in italics) and the author in your context, be sure to include it here.
- Scope of the Essay (1 Sentence): Sometimes, this can be included in your thesis, but you can break it up too. This is where you walk readers through how you'll be working through the point you are making. Basically, what are the things you'll be discussing.
The Conclusion: Specific to Broad – lead readers out.
- Summarize your Points (1-3 Sentences): Sometimes you'll be told to restate your thesis. That works. I think it's better to just summarize the big ideas of your essay. In doing so you generally restate your thesis without actually restating it. Also, in doing this be sure that you don't bring in any new information.
- Broad Connection (1-2 Sentences): Bring us out. I think the best way to do this is think about how your point could be connected to themes in the real world.
Here's my tip for you: These should be the very last things you do. These will be strengthened if you've got everything else done and revised because it'll inform what you write here.