Surprised
to see introductions as the topic of our second-to-last lesson?
Most writers find that it is nearly impossible to craft an
essay by beginning with the introduction. The best leads often
develop during and after writers have written the remainder
of the essay.
Maybe
a fantastic introduction or conclusion is caught floating
around in the middle of your rough draft. Maybe you find that
your essay does not even need an introduction or conclusion
(see sidebar). More likely, however, it is in these later
stages that you have a good sense of the way your essay is
shaping up, all the way to the nitty-gritty details. Since
beginnings and endings can be the most challenging and important
part of any piece of writing, you will want to take advantage
of a completed rough draft.
Part of
the reason why introductions and conclusions are so difficult
is that writers tend to worry about them too much. Writing
teachers give so much attention to the need for a thorough
introduction and a sharply drawn conclusion that anxious essayists
compensate by going overboard. They feel that in order to
appear mature and worldly, their essays must contain profound
insights and sweeping observations.
While
your introduction and conclusion need not provide the answers
to every worldly problem, they do need to be engaging. Admissions
officers may spend just a few minutes reading your essay.
Your introduction must grab their interest from the beginning
and your conclusion must make a lasting impression.
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Extra: No Introduction??!!
Most
applicants assume that a good essay must have
an introduction and conclusion. While most essays
do require these bookends, there are some instances
in which an introduction and conclusion can actually
diminish the quality of your essay. Heed the advice
of one admissions officer:
“When
you have finished writing the rest of your rough
draft, you may discover that you don't need an
introduction at all. But isn't that risky? Maybe.
But believe it or not, more essays have been ruined
by forced and unnecessary introductions than have
been ruined by the lack of one. Largely this is
because of the misconception of what an introduction
is supposed to accomplish. This is especially
true if you are writing your essay as a narrative.
It might feel risky or uncomfortable just letting
the story stand on its own. You might be afraid
that your reader will miss the point. But the
point should be made in the story -- through the
telling -- not before or after it. If you really
cannot resist, then offer your observations and
explanations in the conclusion instead of the
introduction, leaving you free to begin your essay
with the action.”
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