ENGLISH 12 Research Writing- Intros! Tips to make your writing strong

INTRODUCTIONS How to avoid sounding ignorant: How to avoid sounding ignorant: Don’t say “This paper is about” or “In this paper, I am going to discuss…” Don’t say “This paper is about” or “In this paper, I am going to discuss…” Consider carefully before starting with a question. Try to keep questions to a minimum throughout. Consider carefully before starting with a question. Try to keep questions to a minimum throughout. Don’t write “you.” Not even once. This goes for the rest of the paper, too. (Ok in conversation, not in formal writing.) This paper is not an infomercial! Don’t write “you.” Not even once. This goes for the rest of the paper, too. (Ok in conversation, not in formal writing.) This paper is not an infomercial!

INTRODUCTIONS Do have an attention grabbing feature—some type of unique fact or phrase to generate interest Do have an attention grabbing feature—some type of unique fact or phrase to generate interest Do overview the general topic of the paper Do overview the general topic of the paper Do connect to things the audience may already know Do connect to things the audience may already know Do include a thesis statement—your STANCE (last sentence of first paragraph is generally a good place to put it) Do include a thesis statement—your STANCE (last sentence of first paragraph is generally a good place to put it)

That first sentence… some options: Use a general, well known fact/contrast with new information Use a general, well known fact/contrast with new information EX: It’s often said that laughter is the best medicine. While many such proverbs turn out to just be empty words, there are real reasons behind this one. Introducing humor and play into an individual’s life has been documented to reduce stress, increase overall life satisfaction, and even help slow the progression of some terminal illnesses. To best serve their patients, U.S. hospitals should adopt a more holistic view of care, that takes the incorporation of laughter-inducing experiences into serious account.

Use a strange or interesting fact for the first sentence, then follow up with explanation Use a strange or interesting fact for the first sentence, then follow up with explanation Many species of octopus are extraordinarily smart—they can communicate with each other through the different patterns of color and even problem solve with puzzles given to them by researchers. Throughout the marine environment, all kinds of strange and mysterious creatures guard their secrets, which we are just beginning to understand and benefit from. Preserving the health of our ocean ecosystems is crucial, in order to protect the huge scientific gains to be had in studying marine life, including health, engineering, and environmental applications.

Make a statement about human nature, and tie it in with your topic Make a statement about human nature, and tie it in with your topic EX: It’s a basic human desire to want to know where we come from. We wonder how the earth and everything on it came to be. Since the beginning of time, people have wondered—who are we? Why are we here? These questions left an empty hole in people of many ancient cultures—a hole that was filled, all over the world, with different creation myths. Even today, creation myths inherent to different cultures continue shaping our ideas of religion, the afterlife, and the meaning of life here on Earth.

The goal of your paper is to use your information and ideas to explain and prove that thesis!