Writing an Introductory Paragraph:

1
Writing an Introductory Paragraph

• Starting the Rough Draft with Proper
  Parenthetical Citations

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Purpose of an Introduction

• To introduce the topic clearly
• To identify the thesis of the paper
• Should be the last sentence of your introduction
• Should be underlined in your paper
• To capture the readers interest
• To give background information
• Establish the tone (persuading)

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Preliminary Introduction

• It will be rough, so you may change it or not use
  it at all in the end
• No matter how rough, it should contain your
  thesis statement
• Good writing demands clarity, so the main idea
  should be very clear and up front from the very
  start
• This means thesis should be at the end of your
  introduction. For longer papers, like yours, the
  introduction may have several paragraphs. Place
  the thesis statement at the end of the very last
  introductory paragraph

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Types of Introductions

• General to Specific
• The most commonin the first few sentences
  introduce the topic in a general way and then
  move to the specific thesis statement of the
  paper - Example on page 17 in packet
• Opening Anecdote
• Open with a brief story or anecdote that directly
  relates to the thesis of the paper. Can provide a
  sense of drama, but if you use such an opening,
  be sure to include a clear statement of your
  topic and thesis before you end your
  introduction! - Example on page 17 in packet

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Another Type of Introduction

• Opening Quotation
• Quoting a sentence or two from a source related
  to your topic can also be very effective. One of
  your sources from your research may have a
  sentence that would provide a perfect opening to
  your paper - Example on page 18 in packet
• Startling facts
• Use shocking facts found in your research that is
  directly related to your topic to grab the
  readers attention

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What Not to Include in Your Introduction

• Needless Dictionary Definitions
• Always define terms that the reader may not be
  familiar with, but dont quote a dictionary for
  terms everyone knows, i.e. home
• Formal Announcements
• Instead of making statements about the topic,
  formal announcements make statements about the
  writer or the paper itself. Avoid
• In my paper, I will discuss
• This paper will be about
• My first point will be
• I will persuade

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Parenthetical Citation Guide
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For SHORT quotes - 4 lines or less

• When stating author before quote, quote is in
  quotation marks, page number in parentheses, and
  punctuation is at the end.
• Example Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry
  was marked by a "spontaneous overflow of powerful
  feelings" (263).
• When not stating who said the quote, the quote is
  in quotation marks, authors last name and page
  number in parentheses, and punctuation at the
  end.
• Example Romantic poetry is characterized by the
  "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings"
  (Wordsworth 263).

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For LONG quotes - 4 or more lines

• Introduce the quote and end it with a colon, tab
  in twice for the quote, NO quotation marks,
  punctuation directly after the quote, end with
  author last name and page number in parentheses
  - ALL DOUBLE SPACED!
• Example
• Nelly Dean treats Heathcliff poorly and
  dehumanizes
• him throughout her narration
• They entirely refused to have it in bed with
  them, or even in their room, and I had no more
  sense,so I put it on the landing of the
  stairs, hoping it would be gone on the morrow.
  By 2 Tabs- chance, or else attracted
  by hearing his voice, it crept to Mr.
  Earnshaw's door, and there he found it on
  quitting his chamber. Inquiries were made as to
  how it got there I was obliged to confess, and
  in recompense for my cowardice and inhumanity
  was sent out of the house. (Brontë 78)

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When You Have No Author

• Use an abbreviated version of the work's title
• Example An anonymous Wordsworth critic once
  argued that his poems were too emotional
  ("Wordsworth Is A Loser" 100).

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When You Have an Indirect Quotation

• (A quotation that you found in another source
  that was quoting from the original) - use the
  person who said the quote in the sentence and
  then use qtd. in to cite the source it was
  found in
• Example Ravitch argues that high schools are
  pressured to act as "social service centers, and
  they don't do that well" (qtd.in Weisman 259).

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Two Authors with the Same Last Name

• Provide both authors' first initials (or even her
  or his full name if different authors share
  initials) in your citation
• Example Although some medical ethicists claim
  that cloning will lead to designer children (R.
  Miller 12), others note that the advantages for
  medical research outweigh this consideration (A.
  Miller 46).

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Two Works by the Same Author

• Include a shortened title for the particular work
  from which you are quoting to distinguish it from
  the other works by that same person
• Example Lightenor has argued that computers are
  not useful tools for small children ("Too Soon"
  38), though he has acknowledged that early
  exposure to computer games does lead to better
  small motor skill development in a child's second
  and third year ("Hand-Eye Development" 17).

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Paraphrasing

• When taking an idea, example, or any other
  information found from a source but putting it in
  your own words, you need to cite the paraphrased
  material because it is not your own.
• There are no quotation marks because it is not
  word-for-word.
• Simple write the sentences or paragraph in your
  own words and place authors last name and page
  number directly after the borrowed idea(s), but
  before your own words.
• Example The first thesis you write will probably
  not be used in the final draft, but it is
  important you state the main point to continue
  your writing of the rough draft (McDonald 27).

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Shakespeare or Other Plays

• Cite the play, which is italicized, the act
  number, the scene number, and the line numbers
• When shorter than 4 lines, use quotation marks
  and place dashes between lines.
• Where our desire is got without content / Tis
  safer to be that which we destroy (Macbeth
  2.3.4-5).
• Four lines or longer, no quotations, set up line
  by line
• This is the sergeantWho like a good and hardy
  soldier fought'Gainst my captivity. Hail, brave
  friend!Say to the king the knowledge of the
  broilAs thou didst leave it.(Macbeth 1.2.5-9)

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Quoting the Bible

• When citing the Bible, make clear which Bible
  you're using in the first parenthetical citation,
  followed by, chapter and verse.
• Example Ezekiel saw what seemed to be four
  living creatures, each with faces of a man, a
  lion, an ox, and an eagle (New Jerusalem Bible,
  Ezek. 1.5-10).