An introduction sets the tone of your paper. It gives insight into what is to come without the nitty-gritty stuff. It can be as simple as four sentences or a whole page. This guide will tell you what you need to know when writing various types of introductions
General Rules of Thumb. Your Introduction must:
1. Speak directly about the topic of the unit you plan to discuss.
2. Be coherent and logical. Use transitional expressions and avoid jumping from one sub-topic to the next.
3. Must not elaborate too much and must be separate from the body of your paper.
“There are different ways of writing introductions. The main idea is to ensure that it sticks to the topic and whatever else you will discuss”
General Introductions
This is the type of introduction that you will write for weekly assignments and general papers. Conduct research on the unit topic and reflect on the questions that you have to answer for your essay. If you find a quote that speaks directly to the topic or one of the questions then you may include it in your introduction. By reflecting on the questions that you are to answer it gives you insight into what you should say in your introduction.
In the example below, the questions to reflect on include:
What makes a good leader? How does leadership impact an organization? How does different leadership styles affect an organization? How can one become a better leader/manager?
This format can also be used for group projects as well.
Example
Unit Topic: Leadership in the Organization
Leadership is paramount to any organization or business. Having a good leader who motivates, develops and grows sets the tone for business in a company. When good leadership is in place in a company, it can be felt throughout the entire organization (Amy Anderson, 2013). It can also be the driving force that makes everything, and everyone work together cohesively in order to accomplish an overall objective.
Reflective/Portfolio Introductions
These introductions take on a more thoughtful approach and include personal experiences or thoughts. Nonetheless, they must still reflect the basics of the academic writing process. The idea is just to draw from your own experience and relate it to the topic being discussed. It is quite similar to journaling and you are definitely allowed to use pronouns like "I, me" etc.
Example
Unit Topic: Individual Differences in Perception
Individual perception of others varies from person to person. Because we each use our own expectations in judgment, people may form different impressions of the same person performing the same behavior (Charles Stangor 2011). Many people have a strong need to understand the how and why of others, while some, like myself do not. Those who have a strong need to understand others tend to process information more thoughtfully and make casual attributions, while those without a strong need for cognition or understanding others do not.
Case Study Introductions
Writing an introduction for a case study essay/assignment should consist of two parts. I call them pre-introduction 1 and pre-introduction 2. This just means that I will first introduce you to the unit topic and then to the case study.
Pre-introduction 1 consists of what we previously discussed in General Introductions.
Pre-introduction 2 summarizes the case, pointing out its major details
Example
Unit Topic: Cultural Intelligence in the Workplace
Globalization has made the business world quite complex, diverse and dynamic. Cultural Intelligence is an important aspect of organizational culture. It helps to assess and predict human behavior in terms of their readiness for working and relating to people from different cultural environments and backgrounds. According to Common Purpose “Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is the ability to cross boundaries and thrive in multiple cultures.” In the case study Young, Confident, and Moving too Fast, we see where Cultural Intelligence and generational differences can make a work environment frustrating and limiting for those involved.
In summary, Julia is a bright and motivated young professional who is eager to learn and take on as much as she can in her new workplace but feels she is being limited by her employer. Her boss, Joanne feels as though Julia ought to move at a slower pace as she is not ready to handle all aspects of the job and certain decisions that Julia makes about projects should be run by her first before being carried out. It is clear that both individuals are deeply rooted in their own individual beliefs and values and this makes it difficult for them to come to a mutual understanding about their issues. Julia believes that she should be able to quickly move up the ranks of the organization because she is passionate about her work, takes the initiate, and is qualified. However, Joanne seems to value experience, provided her own experience in the industry.
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