Writing Center
Youngstown State University

Introductions:

• Give background information; let the readers know what led you to consider the point you are treating in this essay.
• Mention other viewpoints besides the one that you wish to support; use a transition to make your readers aware of which viewpoint is yours: "Most people think that American education is going downhill. National test results indicate that this may be true. I, however, have found that today's students are far better prepared academically than we have been led to believe."
• Ask questions that will interest the readers and keep them reading.
• Use an interesting, relevant quotation to introduce your topic.
• Use an anecdote, a brief story, that sets the stage for your topic.
• Tell briefly what each body paragraph will deal with; don't go into so much detail that the readers don't need to read the rest of the paper.

Conclusions:

The conclusion needs to let the readers know that the essay is coming to a close and that you have accomplished what you intended.

DO NOT:

• start a whole new topic.
• contradict your entire point.
• make obvious statements.
• repeat your exact words from the thesis.

DO:

• summarize the main points of the essay.
• point out what has been learned from the information provided in the essay.
• supply the possible solutions for problems you have raised.

E-mail your comments and suggestions to the YSU Grant Team (cardcat@bgnet.bgsu.edu).