3.2 Introductions and conclusions

Have one of each in every piece of work. Avoid repeating the question in the introduction, but do offer an outline of the areas you will discuss. If you have a particularly juicy quote or fascinating fact, this may be a good place to show it off. Do not make wild generalizations about ‘working-class people’, ‘most sociologists’, ‘ethnic minorities’, etc. However if you have found a particularly outrageous generalisation in something you have read, do feel free to start by quoting this and then contradict it. Read some academic journal articles and see how other writers kick off. This is usually the hardest bit of an essay to get right. Imagine you are answering this question: Explore the connection between marriage and money in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

A weak introduction would be something like this:

Marriage and money are important themes in Pride and Prejudice. This essay explores the connection between marriage and money in Jane Austen’s novel. First I will look at the theme of marriage, followed by the theme of money. Then I will look at the connection between the two. From this we will be able to see what Austen is trying to say about the link between them.

There is nothing really wrong with this introduction, but it does not open up the question in an interesting way or provide anything to grab the reader’s attention. A better alternative offers a sense of where the essay will go, such as:

The connection between marriage and money lies at the heart of Pride and Prejudice. From the opening sentence to Elizabeth and Darcy’s engagement, this novel highlights the desirability of financial security in marriage. However, the novel also shows the dangers of marrying purely for gain. This essay will explore the different models of marriage which Austen presents in Pride and Prejudice: marrying for money without love, marrying for love without money, and marrying with both. These models allow Austen to examine the place of the marriageable woman within the society of her period.

This introduction demonstrates a knowledge of the text and some intelligent thought on the question. It also maps out the plan of the essay that is going to follow. If you can do this in advance then your way ahead will be much clearer. However, it is always worth going back to look at your introduction once you have finished the essay. Does it promise something that is not in the essay? Or could you flag up an interesting idea in a more stylish way? Most good writers rewrite their introductions after they finish the conclusion. Think of this as the shop-window for your work. Show what you have in store in a way that will encourage a closer look.

Conclusions are also hard to handle gracefully, but it is better to try than to ignore the problem. Return to the issues which were raised by the question and show how what you have said proves your point. Avoid introducing any new ideas or material here. Do not save up your main idea as a punch-line. Similarly avoid repeating what you said earlier, although you can, of course, refer back. As with the introduction, a short, well-chosen quote can help. Although it looks good if you explore a range of arguments during the essay itself, a conclusion should always conclude. Push your thinking towards some sort of resolution. Do not just sit on the fence. Answer the question one way or the other.