What should introduction contain

Some academic genres may not even require an introduction or conclusion. An annotated bibliography, for example, typically provides neither. A book review may begin with a summary of the book and conclude with an overall assessment of it. Each paragraph discusses one major point and each paragraph should lead directly to the next. The paragraphs are tied together with an introduction and a conclusion. The main body consists of one or more paragraphs of ideas and arguments.

Each paragraph develops a subdivision of the topic. The paragraphs of the essay contain the main ideas and arguments of the essay together with illustrations or examples. The paragraphs are linked in order to connect the ideas. This essay will draw on the trait theory of leadership to argue that that leaders are first born, but then must be made.

A potential leader should develop their natural traits as well as learn and practise skills which will help them to persuade, equip and inspire others to realise their vision. Read the paragraph below and see if you can identify the key features of an introduction.

This is an introduction written in response to the essay question: 'Can Rome's actions towards Carthage be described as defensive imperialism? Home Courses Library Donate.

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Define important terms e. Different types of essays may require different types of introduction. Different subjects may follow particular conventions for written work. A social science or psychological study of a group of people may start with details of the research sample.

A long essay or dissertation may start with a literature review. Your tutor may even tell you not to waste time on elaborate introductions.

Nonetheless, the reader does need to have some idea of where your essay is going to take them and what you are trying to achieve in it.

You should certainly start out with a clear idea of what you are going to do but this can be in draft or note form. After all, you may start out thinking you are going to use the theories of Professor Bloggs and then, halfway through writing, come across the theories of Professor Smith which cast an interesting new light on your subject.

So always check your introduction against your essay. Have you followed your own map? Do you need to add or remove a few things here and there? Or do you need to draw a new one? Introductions An introduction should do at least four main things: i.