Chapter published in:
The Art and Architecture of Academic Writing
Patricia Prinz and Birna Arnbjörnsdóttir
[Not in series 231] 2021
► pp. 137–156

Chapter 7
Introductions and Conclusions

Article outline
  • A.Introductions
    • 1.Examining the introduction
      • Moves in introductions
        • Practice: Reading to write—analyzing moves
    • 2.Strategies for writing the introduction
      • a.Introduction strategy 1: Finalize the content before writing the introduction
      • b.Introduction strategy 2: Background questions for context
      • c.Introduction strategy 3: Use a general-to-specific framework to situate the thesis statement
        • Practice: Reading to write—general to specific framework
        • Practice: Analyzing a general-to-specific framework
  • B.AWARE: Writing the introduction to a compare/contrast essay
    • 1.AWARE: Arranging to write the introduction
      • a.Counterpoint in the compare/contrast introduction
      • b.Determining the necessary background information
        • Practice: Effective introductions
    • 2.AWARE: Writing the introduction
    • 3.AWARE: Assessing the introduction
      • Practice: Assessing your introduction
    • 4.AWARE: Revising the introduction
    • 5.AWARE: Editing the introduction
  • C.Conclusions
    • 1.Examining the conclusion
      • Moves in conclusions
    • 2.Strategies for writing conclusions
      • a.Conclusion strategy 1: Rephrase the thesis
        • Practice: Reading to write—rephrasing the thesis statement
        • Practice: Strategy 1 – Rephrasing the thesis
      • b.Conclusion strategy 2: Synthesize the major ideas of the essay
        • Practice: Reading to write—Synthesizing major ideas
      • c.Conclusion strategy 3: Explain the significance of your topic and thesis
        • Practice: Reading to write—Explaining the significance of the topic and thesis
        • Practice: Explaining the significance/relevance of the topic
      • d.Conclusion strategy 4: Avoid ineffective elements in a conclusion
  • D.AWARE: Writing the conclusion
    • 1.AWARE: Arranging to write the conclusion
      • Practice: The elements of the conclusion
    • 2.AWARE: Writing the conclusion to a compare/contrast essay
    • 3.AWARE: Assessing the conclusion
    • 4.AWARE: Revising the conclusion
    • 5.AWARE: Editing
  • E.Putting it together: Revising and editing a full essay
    • 1.AWARE: Revising the full essay
    • 2.AWARE: Editing the full essay
      • a.Formatting the paper
      • b.Editing checklist
  • F.AWARE: Independent writing assignments – enumeration essay and cause/effect essay
    • 1.The architecture of the essays
    • 2.Essay instructions
      • Assignments