Introductions and Conclusions

Purpose of Conclusion  Works as a culmination and send-off  Culmination: Summarizes main points you make in the body  Focus on what you argue (avoid focusing on source material points)  Avoid prescriptive statements (should/must) unless the thesis includes them Identifies limitations Draws all together to form a bigger picture of what it all means—the implications

Purpose of Introduction  Introduces topic  Orients reader to POV  Provides context (setting)  Indicates Q at I paper will develop  Provides thesis or hypothesis

Purpose of Conclusion Send-off follows from culmination Provides a way “out of the paper” for both you and the reader Provides a “so what?”; what is significant about the information you present? Gives the reader something more to think about Again, avoid prescriptive statements (should/must) unless the thesis includes them

When to Write  Whenever it works for you  Introductions First to get the flow on track Last to reflect what you actually write  Conclusions Generally last, or at least after the body is complete

Top down model Broad Statement about your Idea More specific statement, closer to main idea Your thesis statement

Sample Introduction: Road map Same-sex marriage is on the rise in today’s society. More and more people are becoming susceptible to it and tolerant of it. I am going to dig deeper into the issue of same-sex marriage and why I think the way I do about it. Many things influence our thinking, otherwise impediments. Impediments are filters in our brain that determine the way we think about all different kinds of issues. I have a set opinion on same- sex marriages based on my personal experiences, religion, developmental patterns of thinking, news influence, movie influence, and egocentrism.

Sample Introduction: Socio-historical Since the attacks on September 11, 2001 the United States has been in a war in Iraq. This war has been going on for eight years, and it is now becoming unnecessary. We are losing innocent Americans everyday and it has gone on long enough. Our military should no longer be over seas fighting; they should have done what they needed to do and then left. My uncle has gone over seas three times and my boyfriend just came back in may and is getting ready to go back over. This war is not only taking the ones I love, but they are bringing them back sick.

Safe Introduction Everyone has an opinion, yet no one is wrong for his. Opinions are comprised of many aspects according to the person who holds them. I have varied opinions on almost every subject. One such subject is the legalization of marriage between individuals of a homosexual nature. Many things have helped to shape my opinion on this issue. Many things have formed, what may be considered impediments, to my thinking on this issue. When critically analyzing my position on this issue, some of my views become nothing more than personal bias. Yet, what a great many different past experiences are incorporated into a bias. Is any part of a bias based upon truth? Nevertheless, I’m left with my opinion that the legalization of same- sex marriage would be a wholly negative decision if ever passed by the federal government. It is, indeed, left best to the discretion of each state.

Bottom line...  Introductions: Get to the point Stay away from broad, general (boring) brush strokes (“Disagreement has always been around and always will be.”) Make every word count Remember your audience’s needs: s/he needs to be able to anticipate where you are going  Conclusions: Summarize your main ideas Draw a larger meaning: the so what?