Writing the Paper: The Introduction

Introduction Due: Tuesday, May 27th

The helpful information below is taken from Mr. Malley's Class Blog:
http://rm305.blogspot.com/

The iSearch paper is different from your standard research paper because it demands "processing information and compellingly communicating [this information]." Compelling means evoking interest in a powerful, irrestistable way. In other words, your content is good, and your storytelling is even better. The storytelling begins in your introductory section, which is usually 3/4 to 1.5 pages.

A good introductory section usually answers three questions:
* How did you become interested in the topic? - tell a story. What happened in your life that made you want to investigate abandoned houses and their effect on a neighborhood? What made you interested in school violence? Self Mutilation? Pull your reader in by making it relevant.
* What do you know about the topic already? What do you assume?
* What is the specific question you will be trying to answer?

The most successful introductory sections will devote one or more paragraphs to the first question, one or more paragraphs to the second section, and get to the research question in the last paragraph.

Click below for a sample from one of Mr. Malley's students at Mack High in Buffalo, NY.
http://rm305.blogspot.com/2007/04/isearch-introductions.html