1.
Funnel
In this style of introduction, a wide, general, opening statement gradually becomes
narrower, just like a funnel, which has a wide opening that narrows to a small spout.
In a way, the information is funneled to the thesis statement.
In a funnel introduction, the opening statement is general then supporting
statements make less general points and lead to the specific topic that is stated in
the thesis statement. It is important to note that the following example introduction
is two paragraphs long, which is common in introductions where it is necessary to
develop the setting.
Example
I have absolutely no luck with apartments. No, that's not exactly true. The
apartment in which I live is lovely, and I like it a lot. The problem rests with the
apartment building itself. OK, let's narrow that down further. I have
no complaint with the actual combination of concrete, bricks and mortar that makes
up the apartment building. If I am completely honest, I must say that I have no luck
with neighbors.
I seem to be cursed with noisy neighbors. They are perfectly nice people, but seem
to have a different concept of noise pollution than I do. I can divide these noisy
neighbors into three main categories: the Music Lovers, the Decorators, and the
Building Inspectors. Although very different, they are bound together by a common
goal — to drive me slowly but surely insane.
2. Anecdote
An anecdote is a short story about something that happened, which illustrates the
point you want to make in your essay. Using a story at the beginning of an essay is
an effective way to interest the reader.
Example
I remember my dad grumbling about water going everywhere as he put the hose
back in place. He had had the hose in just the right position, and if we hadn't been
playing with it, the rink would have been flooded by now. To us kids, the thought of
having our own ice rink to skate on was too exciting to make us stop and think
about the hose. If it was a really cold night, then maybe by tomorrow morning we
could start skating!
3. Survey
In a survey introduction, the writer gives readers an overview of the information
contained in the essay. A survey arouses the reader's interest by giving the reader
a chance to agree or disagree with an opinion stated by the writer, and this entices
the reader to continue with the essay.
Example
An increasingly popular area of research in the field of education revolves around
individual learning styles. It is generally acknowledged that not every student will
learn in the same way, as they all have their individual strengths, weaknesses and
interests. In order to provide effective instruction, teachers must be aware of the
different ways in which their students learn, and plan lessons that will enhance the
learning experience in their classrooms.
4. Quotation
Quotations are used when someone has clearly and succinctly stated an opinion you
agree with and that will give the reader a clear idea of your point. For this, the
quotation needs to be relevant to the topic and familiar to the reader. Quotations
can be used independently or combined with other types of introductions such as
anecdotes or questions. A well-chosen quotation adds credibility to an essay
because it is familiar to the reader and its truth has been recognized for many
years.
Example
They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder. Absence also makes the eyes
see more clearly. At least, it makes your eyes see once-familiar things in a new
light. If you have lived in a city all your life, it becomes so familiar to you that you
don't really see it, certainly not in the same way that a visitor would. I spent five
years living in Asia, and when I returned to Canada, I saw my native country with
the eyes of a visitor. Things that once were very familiar to me looked strange, even
foreign. Changes had, quite naturally, occurred, but so gradually that the average
resident perhaps did not even notice. But I, with my tourist's eyes, was struck by
the marked differences in day-to-day Canadian life. While I had been away, Canada
had discovered coffee.
5. Question
Asking a question at the beginning of an essay is a useful tool
for drawing the reader in. The question can be used to intrigue the reader, or it can
set the tone for the essay. The writer can ask a question in the introduction and
then wrap the essay around the answer. It is best to use Information Questions
rather than Yes/No Questions. Questions, when written correctly, are great for
hooking the reader.
Example
Who would willingly plunge into water that never gets warmer than ten degrees
Celsius? Surprisingly, many British Columbian scuba divers jump at this opportunity
twelve months a year. This may surprise many divers who only consider the sport in
the context of the white sand beaches, cloudless skies, and tepid azure waters of
the Caribbean or Southeast Asia; when one thinks "diving", one naturally thinks
"tropics". Thus, British Columbia may well be the last place one would associate
with this exciting water sport. Although serious scuba divers might assume that the
cold, dark, West Coast waters would not have much to offer them, they should
consider Vancouver Island as a diving destination because it offers peace of mind, a
wide variety of dive sites, and a plethora of animal life.
6. Setting the Scene
Creating a mental picture for the reader helps introduce essays. Using words that
describe how things smell, look, feel, sound, and taste raises the
reader's curiosity and draws the reader to read more.
Example
It's everywhere you look. Dispensed on almost every street corner and found in
almost every home. Cups of it are held in the hands of workers,
students, homemakers and movie stars. North Americans love their coffee. What is
it about this brew that makes it so popular? In North America today, coffee is not
only a physical stimulant; it is also a fashion accessory and the focal point of
many social functions.
7. Definition
When a difficult or unknown term is going to be used throughout the essay, defining
that term can serve as an introduction to the essay. The following example explains
the two acronyms, TOEFL and TOEIC, as well as giving more information about the
tests. Definition paragraphs define difficult terms or ideas, which are used
throughout the essay.
Example
TOEFL and TOEIC are acronyms frequently heard in the field of English language
study, but what are they? TOEFL, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, is an
academic test of a student's level of listening, reading and writing. Although TOEIC
is a test of English as well, it is more specifically a Test of English for International
Communication. Both these tests evaluate students' English proficiency, but they
are completely different in nature, content and focus.
