Writing Introductions and
Conclusions

• First and last impressions are important in any part
of life
• Introductions and conclusions are just as important
as the body of your paper.
• The introduction is what makes the reader want to
continue reading your paper. The conclusion is what
makes your paper stick in the reader's mind.

Introductions
Your introductory paragraph should include:
1) Hook: Description, illustration, narration or dialogue
that pulls the reader into your paper topic. This
should be interesting and specific.
2) Transition: Sentence that connects the hook with
the thesis.
3) Thesis: A sentence that summarizes the overall main
point of the paper. The thesis should answer the
prompt question.

Ways to write Introductions

Joe Stevens was finally ready to purchase a home. He
spent years putting money into a savings account, paid off
his credit cards, and diligently paid every bill on time.
Confident of his good credit rating, Joe visited the bank to
inquire about a mortgage, but he discovered startling
information: Joe defaulted on a home loan, had $40,000 in
credit card debt, and had a car repossessed for lack of
payment. Joe Stevens, like many Americans, is a victim of
identity theft. Instead of preparing to move into a new
home, Joe began the long journey to restore his good
name and to reclaim his identity. Identity theft is a serious
problem that claims millions of innocent victims, leading
financial loss, legal troubles and peaceful existence in the
society.
1. Opening with a Story (Anecdote)

In Shakespeare's Othello, Iago claims that he "who steals
my purse steals trash / . . . But he that filches from me my
good name / Robs me of that which not enriches him, /
And makes me poor indeed" (3.3.157-161). Today,
identity theft is a new way that thieves steal both the
"purses" and the good names of innocent victims, and
these thieves are enriching themselves at the expense of
their victims. Identity theft is a serious problem that
claims millions of innocent victims, leading financial loss,
legal troubles and peaceful existence in the society.
.
2. Open with a Quotation

3. Open with an Interesting Statistic
Identity fraud is the fastest growing crime in the
United States. In 2004, over nine million Americans,
or approximately one person in 24, became victims
of identity fraud or identity theft, at a cost to the
economy of 52.6 billion dollars ("2005 Identity
Fraud Survey Report"). Because many cases of
identity fraud and identity theft may go unreported,
the numbers could be even higher. Identity theft is
a serious problem that claims millions of innocent
victims, leading financial loss, legal troubles and
peaceful existence in the society.

4. Question Openings
How would you feel if you knew, at this moment, that
some criminal is writing your name, address, and Social
Security number on credit card applications and plans to
charge thousands of dollars worth of merchandise on
those credit cards? More importantly, how do you know
that this is not happening? Millions of people have
become victims of identity theft, and they often find out
only after thousands of dollars have been stolen using
their names. Identity theft is a serious problem that
claims millions of innocent victims, leading financial loss,
legal troubles and peaceful existence in the society.

5. Begin with the definition
Our identity is what makes us unique. It is "the
distinguishing character or personality of an
individual," and when one is a victim of identity
theft, it is this "distinguishing character" that is
stolen: one's name, address, Social Security
number, employment history, credit history, and
more. It therefore is no wonder that victims of
identity theft often feel a deep sense of violation as
they struggle to reclaims their good names. Identity
theft is a serious problem that claims millions of
innocent victims, leading financial loss, legal
troubles and peaceful existence in the society.

6. Begin with a general subject that can be narrowed
down into the specific topic of the essay - Funnel
Students face all kinds of problems when they start
college. Some students struggle with a lack of
basic math skills; others have never learned how
to write a term paper. Students who were stars
in high school have to cope with being just
another number in the student population.
Students with children have to find a way to be
good parents and good students, too. Although
all of these problems are common, I found an
even more typical conflict. My biggest problem in
college was learning to organize my time.

Writing Conclusions

1. Close with a Logical Conclusion
This is a good closing for argumentative or opinion papers that present two or more
sides of an issue. The conclusion drawn as a result of the research is presented here
in the final paragraphs.
As one can see from reading the information
presented, mainstreaming deaf students isn't
always as effective as educating them in a
segregated classroom. Deaf students learn better
in a more one-on-one basis like they can find in a
school or program specially designed for them.
Mainstreaming is just that; deaf students get lost
in the mainstream.

2. End with a Call to Action
The call to action says that in view of the facts and ideas presented in this
essay, the reader should do something.
Single-gender schools work. As we have seen, boys-only and girls-only middle
and high schools help steer young people toward academic achievement and
higher self-esteem. Showing off for the opposite sex, dating too early, and,
especially in the case of girls, failing to raise their hands for fear of outshining
the boys, are problems avoided altogether in single-gender environments.
Parents and concerned citizens must contact their representatives and school
boards to demand the option of single-gender schools. We owe it to our
children to fight for the schools that truly serve them.
What does the writer want the reader to do?
The writer wants the reader to contact representatives and school boards to
demand the option of single - gender schools.

3. End with a Question
By ending with a question, you leave the reader with a final
problem that you wish him or her to think about.
Yes, it is difficult to speak with our children about peer pressure.
We will feel as if they will shut us out, and they might think we
won’t understand their need to fit in and they resist the
discussion. However, knowing the pressures that kids today face,
the terrible examples bombarding them from popular culture, and
the real competitive education standards, can we afford not to?
—Amelia Garcia, Student, “Talking to Kids about Peer Pressure”
What problem does the writer’s final question point to?
The problem of parents’ difficulty in talking to kids about peer
pressure

4. Close with a Speculation or Opinion
Through all of my research, all of the people I
interviewed, all of the institutions I visited, not
one person could give me a clear-cut answer
to my question. Can all deaf people be
educated in the same manner? I couldn't find
the "right" answer. I hope you, the reader, will
have better luck.

5. Close with a Recommendation
A good conclusion is when the writer suggests that the reader do something in the way of
support for a cause or a plea for them to take action.
American Sign Language is a fast growing
language in America. More and more
universities and colleges are offering it as part
of their curriculum and some are even
requiring it as part of their program. This
writer suggests that anyone who has a chance
to learn this beautiful language should grab
that opportunity.

Read the following essay prompt and write a
introductory paragraph, using one of the
techniques:
Essay prompt: If you could have any job in the world
and be great at it, what would you choose and
why?
Essay Prompt: If you could go on vacation anywhere
in the world, where would you go and why?