Preperation and Writing: Page 4 of 5
1.3 How to Write an Introduction
An introduction should set the scene of the essay and launch you into your argument. The Introduction is written using five elements: Establishing the territory, describing the essay's niche, introducing the literary text, explaining the theoretical approach, and stating the thesis of assignment.
Use this button to play the content of the webpage in audio form.
1. Establish the Territory
1.1. Establish the domain of literature that you plan to target in the assignment. For example, Victorian literature, Irish literature post 1900, and African Literature.
​
-
Note: This section immediately situates the reader in the relevant literary domain.
​
2. Describe the Niche​
2.1. Describe the niche topic that you plan to tackle in your assignment. For example, women’s place within the home in Victorian literature or the portrayal of colonial architecture within African literature.
​
-
Note: This section explains to the reader that you do not plan to tackle every topic within a literary period/movement and this section will pique the interest of the reader.
​
3. Introduce the Literary Text
3.1. Give the title, the year of publication, and the author.
3.2. Give a short explanation of why you chose this literary text in a sentence or two sentences.
​
4. Explain your Theoretical Approach
4.1. Give the name of the theory, year of the theory’s publication and the author.
4.2. Explain the central argument of the theory that you will be using to frame your discussion.
​
-
Note: This section tells the reader what type of argument to expect in the essay.
​
5. State the Thesis Statement
5.1. Give the argument of the essay in one sentence.​
​
-
Note: The thesis statement is the argument of the essay. Make sure the sentence is short, clear, and concise as this section launches you into your argument.
