WRITING THE INTRODUCTION

A good introduction for a

THE STRUCTURE five-paragraph essay
includes;

• An engaging sentence
• Background information
for the topic
• A thesis statement
An engaging sentence
A quotation
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away”.

A statistic
As to date, 83 people have been confirmed as positive COVID-19 patients in Malaysia
(KKM, 2020).

A strong statement
COVID-19 is believed to reach its peak between April and May this year.

A common misperception
In view of COVID-19 spread, everyone must wear a mask in public.
An engaging sentence
An anecdote / A recount
It was a real chaotic scene at the airport when a health worker scanned a tourist and
suddenly the scanner beeped a red light and immediate responses to that were screams
and cries, flung luggage and people running.

A definition
COVID-19, found in  China in December 2019 is a highly infectious respiratory disease
caused by a new coronavirus (WHO, 2020).

A rhetorical question
What is COVID-19 and why are we so alarmed about it?
Background information for the topic

Additional sentences related to the given engaging sentence that is eventually

narrowed to the focus of the topic.

Example 1:

Society engagement learning is an approach that reflects the quote.

It requires learners to immerse into the society not only to serve but also to learn from
them.

“Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Society engagement learning is
an approach that reflects the quote. It requires learners to immerse into the
society not only to serve but also to learn from them.
Background information for the topic
Additional sentences related to the given engaging sentence that is eventually
narrowed to the focus of the topic.

Example 2:

In this modern society, many old parents are abandoned by their children.
This act is so uncalled for since they are the people who have sacrificed a lot for the
children.

The old man sat on a bench and stared at the pavement, clutching a worn-out cloth
bag, not knowing that his son would never come back for him. In this modern society,
many old parents are abandoned by their children. This act is so uncalled for since
they are the people who have sacrificed a lot for the children.
Background information for the topic
Additional sentences related to the given engaging sentence that is eventually
narrowed to the focus of the topic.

Example 3:

Potential employers are looking for job candidates who are not only cognitively good
but also have the required skill sets; communication, leadership and self-management
to name a few.
The issue lies in who should povide these skills to the graduates.

What is the value of a graduate; a piece of paper stating he or she is a four-pointer?

Potential employers are looking for job candidates who are not only cognitively
good but also have the required skill sets; communication, leadership and self-
management to name a few. The issue lies in who should povide these skills to the
graduates.
A thesis statement
A sentence that introduces the main idea of the essay.

Example 1:

Students' engagement with the society assists students in their life after college by
developing their skills to communicate, analyse and solve problem.

“Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Society engagement learning is
an approach that reflects the quote. It requires learners to immerse into the society not
only to serve but also to learn from them. Students' engagement with the society
assists students in their life after college by developing their skills to
communicate, analyse and solve problem.
A thesis statement
A sentence that introduces the main idea of the essay.

Example 2:

Three possible reasons for children to disown their parents are financial constraint,
disagreement with spouse and expectation for freedom.

The old man sat on a bench and stared at the pavement, clutching a worn-out cloth
bag, not knowing that his son would never come back for him. In this modern society,
many old parents are abandoned by their children. This act is so uncalled for since they
are the people who have sacrificed a lot for the children. Three possible reasons for
children to disown their parents are financial constraint, disagreement with spouse
and expectation for freedom.
A thesis statement
A sentence that introduces the main idea of the essay.

Example 3:

Higher learning institutions, undergraduates and internship providers are responsible to

enhance added values among university graduates.

What is the value of a graduate; a piece of paper stating he or she is a four-pointer?

Potential employers are looking for job candidates who are not only cognitively good
but also have the required skill sets; communication, leadership and self-management
to name a few. The issue lies in who should povide these skills to the graduates. Higher
learning institutions, undergraduates and internship providers are responsible to
enhance added values among university graduates.
Analyzing a thesis statement

A strong thesis statement should have:

Students' engagement with the society assists students in their life after college

TOPIC FOCUS

by developing their skills to communicate, analyse and solve problem.

MAIN IDEAS: 1 2 3
Analyzing a thesis statement

A strong thesis statement should have:

Analyzing a thesis statement

A strong thesis statement should have:

Higher learning institutions, undergraduates and internship providers are responsible

MAIN IDEAS: 1 2 3 FOCUS

to enhance added values among university graduates.

TOPIC
Question - discuss
1. What do you think are the topics of the essays for three thesis statements?

A. Students' engagement with the society assists students' in their life after college by
developing their skills to communicate, analyse and solve problem.

The benefits of involvement of students in society-related activities

B. Three possible reasons for children to disown their parents are financial constraint,
disagreement with spouse and expectation for freedom.

The causes of abandonement of parents by their children

C. Higher learning institutions, undergraduates and internship providers are

responsible to enhance added values among university graduates.

Enhancement of added values among university graduates

More questions - discuss
2. What do you think is the functions of a thesis statement in the introductory paragraph?

3. Where do you think is the position of a thesis statement in the introductory paragraph?

4. What do you think of a thesis statement that does not list the three main ideas?
Example:
Few parties are responsible to enhance added values among university graduates.

(Higher learning institutions, undergraduates and internship providers are

responsible to enhance added values among university graduates.)

5. Why do you think there is a need to list all the three main ideas?
More questions - discuss
6. Why do you think pronouns are not used in a thesis statement?
Example:
Three possible reasons for them to disown their parents are financial constraint,
disagreement with spouse and expectation for freedom.

(Three possible reasons for children to disown their parents are financial constraint,
disagreement with spouse and expectation for freedom.)

7. What do you think are the strategies used to achieve cohesion in the thesis statement of
this introductory paragraph?

“Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Society engagement learning is an
approach that reflects the quote. It requires learners to immerse into the society not only to
serve but also to learn from them. Students' engagement with the society assists
students in their life after college by developing their skills to communicate, analyse
and solve problem.
Exercise 1
Write a thesis statement for the topics given;

1. The differences between travelling by train and travelling by plane.

2. The effects of free riding in the completion of a class assignment.

3. Ways to write a winning business proposal.

4. Similarities between celebrating Hari Raya and Chinese New Year in Malaysia.

5. The causes of plagiarism among students.

6. Solutions to resource wastage in UiTM Melaka.

Exercise 2
Write an introduction for any of the topics given;

1. The differences between travelling by train and travelling by plane.

2. The effects of free riding in the completion of a class assignment.

3. Ways to write a winning business proposal.

4. Similarities between celebrating Hari Raya and Chinese New Year in Malaysia.

5. The causes of plagiarism among students.

6. Solutions to resource wastage in UiTM Melaka.

The end

Any questions?

Thank you!