Discussion

Today we continue our examination of how audience affects the argument, while adding a new element: introductions. Please see here for an engaging (I think) video onhow to write an effective introduction (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. 

First, write your introduction so that it is directly addressed to your target audience, whether those in your community or those without--whoever is being asked to take action. Don't be afraid to experiment radically, with tone, style, whatever. You don't have to use this new introduction in your paper, but you may come up with something cool.

Then, edit that introduction so that it includes more details and/or offers more information than the last introduction. Does the updated introduction consider your audience more fully? 

Post the new introduction here. Then, read someone else's introduction and comment on it. Does the tone work? Can you tell who the audience is? Do you feel like the intro would grab someone in the intended audience? Why or why not?

If you want tips on writing introductions, here are a few things to check out:

Capital Community College: Introductory Paragraphs (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Purdue OWL: Introductions for Sample Paper (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

Eleven Ways to Begin (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (PDF) This is an old handout I got from a writing instructor at the UW years ago. It has a lot of useful suggestions, with good examples.