Introductions & conclusions

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It is important to pay particular attention to writing a good, strong introduction and conclusion in any piece of writing that you do. An introduction can make a lasting first impression on someone reading your essay. Similarly, by making the effort to develop a thorough conclusion, you can present a summary of the key points that you want someone to remember about your essay.

The introduction
The introduction consists of two parts:

1. It should include a few general statements about the subject to provide a background to your essay and to attract the reader's attention. It should try to explain why you are writing the essay. It may include a definition of terms in the context of the essay, etc.
2. It should also include a statement of the specific subdivisions of the topic and/or indication of how the topic is going to be tackled in order to specifically address the question.

It should introduce the central idea or the main purpose of the writing.

The conclusion
The conclusion includes the writer's final points.

1. It should recall the issues raised in the introduction and draw together the points made in the main body
2. and explain the overall significance of the conclusions. What general points can be drawn from the essay as a whole?

It should clearly signal to the reader that the essay is finished and leave a clear impression that the purpose of the essay has been achieved.

From: UEFAP Academic Writing: Introduction> Essays http://www.uefap.com/writing/writfram.htm