Writing Essay Introductions and Conclusions
How to Improve the Beginning and End of Your Essay
Dec 17, 2008
When you are tasked with writing an essay, particularly when you have limited number of words and a lot to say, it is often the Introduction and conclusion that gets left to the end. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, as you can often write a better introduction and conclusion once you better understand the content of your essay. However it should not be left to the last moment when you have least energy and least amount of time to give it justice. The introduction and conclusion are two critical elements of your essay and if you don't give them the necessary attention your essay mark is likely to suffer.
What Should an Essay Introduction Contain?
- Your introduction should introduce what you are going to write about in the body of your essay
- It should detail which sources you will use to support your opinion
- It should provide a straightforward statement of what you hope to demonstrate
Your introduction should focus on the small part of information about which you are going to argue an opinion. It may be a description of a particular problem that will be explored in the essay, a passage from a literary text together with a brief explanation that highlights a particular problem, or it could be a quotation from a critic which you may agree or disagree with.
Tips on Good Essay Introductions
- Keep it interesting. Your introduction should engage your reader's interest and attention and make them want to read more.
- Sell yourself – you're convincing the reader of your argument. Your Introduction should say why your argument is worth believing!
- Keep all points relevant to the argument. An introduction needs focus and must avoid irrelevance.
- Don't make general comments or give away details from the body of the essay; these can come later
- Don't give away your conclusion.
For further information on writing introductions see Writing an Assignment Introduction.
What Should Your Essay Conclusion Contain?
- Your conclusion is a recap your argument.
- It may also state where your argument stands with respect to other ideas about the same topic.
- It might go beyond a restatement what has already been said; for example, it may contain a clinching point in the argument or suggest a further direction in which analysis could lead.
- Your conclusion should not say anything that you have not made an argument for in the body of your essay.
Tips on Good Conclusions
- Take a step back; reflect upon what the analysis achieved.
- Tie up your arguments into a cohesive statement.
- Keep it relevant to the arguments raised in the essay body.
The introduction and conclusion are important elements of an essay. If they are poor, they can let down your otherwise good content and impact your mark. While it's fine to leave your introduction and conclusion to the end to write, make sure you give it sufficient time and attention.
See also Tops Tips on Writing Essays and Writing an Essay
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