How to Begin an Academic Essay
How to Begin an Academic Essay
*The writer of the academic essay aims to persuade readers of an idea based on evidence.
In order to engage readers and establish your authority, the beginning of your essay has to accomplish certain objectives.
*Your beginning should introduce the essay, orient readers and focus it.
Introduce your ideas to your reader: the beginning lets your readers know the topic. The essay's topic does not exist in a vacuum, however, letting readers know what your essay is about means establishing the essay's context, the frame within which you will approach your topic.
Orientation: Orienting readers, locating them in your discussion, means giving information and explanations wherever necessary for your readers' understanding (i.e. this often means writing as objectively as possible if your goal is to convince the reader of your argument). This skill is important throughout your essay and most crucial in the beginning. Readers who don't have the information they need to follow your discussion will get lost and quit reading.
Focus: Your beginning must also let readers know what the main issue is. What question or problem will you be thinking about? This is the principle thought process which will guide the entire coherency of your essay. You can ask a question that will lead to your idea, you can make a thesis statement (a very clear declarative argument), or you can do both: you can ask a question and immediately state the answer which your essay will argue.
Can anyone give a clear example of each in their own words? Good luck!
In order to engage readers and establish your authority, the beginning of your essay has to accomplish certain objectives.
*Your beginning should introduce the essay, orient readers and focus it.
Introduce your ideas to your reader: the beginning lets your readers know the topic. The essay's topic does not exist in a vacuum, however, letting readers know what your essay is about means establishing the essay's context, the frame within which you will approach your topic.
Orientation: Orienting readers, locating them in your discussion, means giving information and explanations wherever necessary for your readers' understanding (i.e. this often means writing as objectively as possible if your goal is to convince the reader of your argument). This skill is important throughout your essay and most crucial in the beginning. Readers who don't have the information they need to follow your discussion will get lost and quit reading.
Focus: Your beginning must also let readers know what the main issue is. What question or problem will you be thinking about? This is the principle thought process which will guide the entire coherency of your essay. You can ask a question that will lead to your idea, you can make a thesis statement (a very clear declarative argument), or you can do both: you can ask a question and immediately state the answer which your essay will argue.
Can anyone give a clear example of each in their own words? Good luck!