How to Write a Good Introduction to a Higher Essay

All Introductions must SEAF S – Explain the situation at the start of the period you are writing about. E – Explain the situation at the end of the period you are writing about. A – Outline your argument (but don’t totally answer the question – that comes in your conclusion!). F– Outline the factors you are going to write about in the rest of your essay.

Question: How secure was the Tsar’s hold on power in the years before 1905?

This part sets explains the situation at the start and end of the period: (SE) In the mid nineteenth century This part refers to the question and hints at the argument: (A) There are several important reasons for the growth of national feeling in the German states between 1815 and 1850, Cultural nationalism was undoubtedly fundamental in the drive towards German unification. However, this type of nationalism was largely limited to the middle classes and intellectuals. This part outlines the factors you are going to write about in the rest of your essay: (F) Other factors, such as the economic nationalism created by the Zollverein and the political nationalism created by revolutions of 1848 were more important. The wording of the question should appear in your introduction and has been underlined here.

Question: (2000 Paper I) ‘To what extent was the granting of the right to vote to women due to their role during the First World War?’

Rearrange the following sentences to form the most effective introduction to the previous question: but, by 1918 most women over 30 could vote and, by 1928, all women over 21 were enfranchised, on equal terms with men. However, there were several other factors which led to the granting of the right to vote to women. In 1850 women were unenfranchised and excluded politically; The impact of the war went far beyond the role played by women; and the contribution of women’s suffrage movements – namely the N.U.W.S.S. and the W.S.P.U. cannot be ignored. There is no doubt that the role played by women during the First World War contributed greatly to the enfranchisement of women.

Your Introduction should read: In 1850 women were unenfranchised and excluded politically; (3) but, by 1918 most women over 30 could vote and, by 1928, all women over 21 were enfranchised, on equal terms with men. (1) There is no doubt that the role played by women during the First World War contributed greatly to the enfranchisement of women. (5) However, there were several other factors which led to the granting of the right to vote to women. (2) The impact of the war went far beyond the role played by women; and the contribution of women’s suffrage movements – namely the N.U.W.S.S. and the W.S.P.U. cannot be ignored. (4) The wording of the question should appear in your introduction and has been underlined here.

This part sets explains the situation at the start and end of the period: (SE) In 1850 women were unenfranchised and excluded politically; but, by 1918 most women over 30 could vote and, by 1928, all women over 21 were enfranchised, on equal terms with men. This part refers to the question and hints at the argument: (A) There is no doubt that the role played by women during the First World War contributed greatly to the enfranchisement of women. This part outlines the factors you are going to write about in the rest of your essay: (F) However, there were several other factors which led to the granting of the right to vote to women. The impact of the war went far beyond the role played by women; and the contribution of women’s suffrage movements – namely the N.U.W.S.S. and the W.S.P.U. cannot be ignored.

Let’s try another: Question: (2000 Paper I) ‘How important was the role played by political pressure groups in the growth of democracy in Britain between 1860 and 1914?’

Rearrange the following sentences to form the most effective introduction to the previous question: By 1914, although 40% of men and all women were still unenfranchised, many of the essentials of democracy were in place. There were many other reasons, however, for democratic change during this period. In 1860 Britain could not be described as a democracy, Political pressure groups, such as the Fabians, the N.U.W.S.S. or the W.S.P.U. had a huge role in the growth of democracy in Britain. i.e. a country where government is by the people or their elected representatives. Industrialisation and urbanisation made extension of the franchise and redistribution of parliamentary seats inevitable and the growth of socialism made reform a political necessity.

Your Introduction should read: In 1860 Britain could not be described as a democracy, (3) i.e. a country where government is by the people or their elected representatives. (5) By 1914, although 40% of men and all women were still unenfranchised, many of the essentials of democracy were in place. (1) Political pressure groups, such as the Fabians, the N.U.W.S.S. or the W.S.P.U. had a huge role in the growth of democracy in Britain. (4) There were many other reasons, however, for democratic change during this period. (2) Industrialisation and urbanisation made extension of the franchise and redistribution of parliamentary seats inevitable and the growth of socialism made reform a political necessity. (6) The wording of the question should appear in your introduction and has been underlined here.

This part explains the situation at the start and end of the period : (SE) In 1860 Britain could not be described as a democracy, i.e. a country where government is by the people or their elected representatives. By 1914, although 40% of men and all women were still unenfranchised, many of the essentials of democracy were in place. This part refers to the question and hints at the argument: (A) Political pressure groups, such as the Fabians, the N.U.W.S.S. or the W.S.P.U. had a huge role in the growth of democracy in Britain. This part outlines the factors that you are going to write about in the rest of your essay: (F) There were many other reasons, however, for democratic change during this period. Industrialisation and urbanisation made extension of the franchise and redistribution of parliamentary seats inevitable and the growth of socialism made reform a political necessity.

Now you try: Question: (2005 Paper I) ‘How far were the reports on poverty produced by Booth and Rowntree responsible for the Liberal social reforms of 1906 – 1914?’

Now you try: Question: (2000 Paper I) ‘How effectively did the Liberal Governments (1906 – 1914) deal with the problem of poverty? (Of course, this one is a ‘how’, not a ‘why’ question.)

Until the early twentieth century the attitude of successive British governments to poverty was one of laissez-faire and self-help. In other words, the problem of poverty was not the responsibility of the state. By 1906, when the Liberals won a sweeping election victory, attitudes were beginning to change. Between 1906 and 1914 the Liberal Governments passed a series of social reforms to deal with the problem of poverty and help the five groups regarded as the most ‘deserving’ poor: namely the young, the old, the sick, the unemployed and the low paid. These reforms were far from comprehensive, but, by 1914 a safety net was in place for those in extreme poverty. The wording of the question should appear in your introduction and has been underlined here.