8/7/2019 Handout- Introductions and Conclusions

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The UCT Writing Centre January 2011

(021) 650 5021

INTRODUCTIONS

Introductions are the overview of the textual journey that you and your readers are about

to embark on. The introduction is an important part of your writing. It grabs your readers

attention, but can also tell them how well your thoughts are put together, how well -

organised your piece is and how well you write. There is no fool -proof recipe for writing

introductions to paper/theses/projects since every academic subject (and each lecturer or

tutor) has different preferences. These guidelines, however, should get you started on the

right track.

Introductions should:

- Orient your readers to your topic- Set the context of your piece- Raise the question you intend to answer in your piece- State briefly the main points to be covered in your argument- State your approach or position on the topic Once you have mastered the above, you can attempt to be creative by including: an

anecdote, analogy, interesting fact, quote etc.

Avoid:

- The dictionary definition- Cutting to the chase too quickly- Going into too much detail. An introduction should be roughly 10% or less of yourpaper

Example:

What are the major causes of economic inequality in the South Africa? What needs to be

done to address inequality in the countr y?

Introduction:

South Africa is a country often associated with inequality. The countrys Gini

coefficient (which shows the level of income inequality) is currently the

highest in the world at 0.679 (Pressly, 2009). This essay will attempt tohighlight some of the causes of the countrys high levels of inequality. While

social, historical and political causes need to be taken in to account, it is the

economic factors associated with globalisation and the market which will be

shown as the key cause of economic inequality. A ddressing the severe

problem of inequality will, however, have to take the economic, social,

political and historical factors into account in order to be effective.

Contextual

information,

orientation, interesting

Main argument,

position

Main points to be

covered

8/7/2019 Handout- Introductions and Conclusions

2/2

The UCT Writing Centre January 2011

(021) 650 5021

CONCLUSIONS

Conclusions are often the most difficult part of a paper to write but they a re important as

they signify the end of a textual journey. The conclusion gives your reader something to

take away with them and should indicate why your paper was meaningful and useful . It is

also your final opportunity to make a good impression and to e nd on a positive note

Conclusions should:

- Answer the question So what? (Use this as a starting point if you are stuck)- Bring the reader full circle. Refer back to the purpose/s of your piece to provide unity- Synthesize your main points- Give your reader something to think about (greater context, the future etc) Once you have mastered the above, you can attempt to take further steps by: being

creative with provocative insights or quotations, pointing out limitations , proposing

a course of action etc.

Avoid:

- Merely summarising your work- Saying In conclusion... or In sum...- Apologising- Introducing new ideas or i ncluding evidence that should be in the body of the paper

Example:

What are the major causes of economic inequality in the South Africa? What needs to be

done to address inequality in the country?

Conclusion

South Africa is a country with a very unique historical, social, political and

economic context. These factors have all perpetuated the spread of

inequality in the country, leading to it being labelled the most unequal in the

world. Economically in particular, the global market forces and neo-liberal

policies of the country have resulted in extensive inequality. Understanding

the causes of inequality is essential to its reduction. The reduction ofinequality is similarly important to the maintenance of a tr uly democratic

South Africa which can remain true to its constitutional goals. It has been

shown that in order to address the issue of inequality extensive focus needs

to be given to creating a more fair economic climate. This cannot be done,

however, without explicitly addressing the historical legacy of the country, its

particular social dynamics as well as its political situation.

Links to introduction

Restating main

argument,

summarising main

points

Importance of

argument