The creation of an interesting introduction can be helped a long way if the topic of the essay is interesting or unusual to begin with. This sample comparing literature and soap operas has this advantage of an interesting, unique topic. Additionally, note how the introduction is careful not to offend anyone, especially a reader who might not agree with some of the statements about loving both soap operas and literature. The sentence that begins "Certainly, not everyone who enjoys literature watches soap operas..." accomplishes this tricky feat. More hints about writing an interesting introduction follow the sample student paragraph.
About the only thing that can tear me away from a good book is a good soap opera. I began watching "Days of Our Lives" in grade school and from that time on many friends and family have criticized my desire to spend an hour in the afternoon glued to the program. They question, how can someone attending college, interested in the arts and literature sit through a mindless program like a soap opera? What keeps someone weekday after weekday in touch with the extraordinary lives of the soap characters? A love of literature, of course! Certainly, not everyone who enjoys literature watches soap operas and not everyone who watches soap operas reads literature, but for those of us who do the similarities between the two defend our love of them both.
1. Pick a "boring" topic. If a topic bores you, it will bore your reader. If the composition of dirt is truly the most fascinating subject for you, however, chances are that you can make it interesting for your reader as well.
2. Use dictionary definitions. When was the last time that reading Webster's dictionary moved you to tears? Dictionary definitions have their time and place, but chances are that such quotes won't knock your reader's socks off. Consider consulting a book of quotations if you need some outside inspiration or explanation.
3. Overkill: Use all four suggestions listed below. Don't overdo the introduction.
1. Tell a story. This is especially effective when writing research or analysis papers that often do not have a lot of room for more "creative" writing styles and content. A creative story will bring your reader into your text and get them thinking about the issues and topics you want to discuss. Check out, for example, the introduction to the sample Argument paper (link).
2. Cite an unusual statistic. Shock your reader! Get them thinking!
3. Pick an interesting quote from an outside source.
4. Reverse your reader's common expectations, ideas, and/or knowledge. For example: Having dyslexia makes me a better writer and reader.
The OWL is an extension of the Community College
of Denver Writing Center. Bret Hann, Writing Center Coordinator This project was made possible in part by a grant from the Technology Learning Grant and Revolving Loan Program, State of Colorado, Department of Higher Education. We are also grateful for the ongoing support of Colorado Community Colleges Online (CCCOnline).
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