GENBIT
For developing writers, the introduction is often the hardest part of the writing process. However, if you know where and how to begin, you will not only have a great introduction, but will also have an idea how the rest of you paper will flow.In order to write a good introduction, it is recommended that you follow the GENBIT outline.
Think of GENBIT like a variable equation in math. If you were given an equation your task would be to substitute, or plug in an appropriate number(s) in place of the variables in order to solve the equation. Writing is a similar process. You need to "plug in" your writing/ideas in the correct order of the equation in order to make it work. Therefore, the formula or plan we use to write a good introduction is called GENBIT.With just a little background knowledge about a topic, it is simple to write a good introduction in a short amount of time.
Keep in mind, however, that some introductions will be longer (or shorter) than depending on the complexity of the issue you are writing .
General topic statement
To begin, we will pick a topic and identify an aspect regarding that topic. Imagine you are writing a paper about the foreign and domestic challenges facing America following the Revolutionary War.
Notes:
The topic of countries dealing with political, social, and economic issues is introduced with some perspective. For example, by leading in with "Throughout history", the reader understands that these “foreign and domestic crisis” are a longstanding issue, as opposed to a recent one. It's important for the reader to know this early, as it helps in evaluating the issues in the essay. Notice the General statement only hints at what is to come, teasing the issue (a Hook), which is meant to raise the curiosity of the reader to make them want to continue reading.
Explain/Expand
After introducing the general topic, the next step is to explain and expand upon it. To do this you need basic knowledge about the topic of the foreign and domestic challenges facing America following the Revolutionary War as well as an understanding of why it is an issue that effects the country today. This can be done through a simple Google search and 10-15 minutes worth of reading. Basic information presented in this part of the introduction generally does not need to be cited, since it is considered general knowledge that doesn't belong to one particular author.
Notes:
These two simple sentences informed the reader about why the issue is relevant today. You should assume the reader knows nothing about the topic you are writing and therefore, may not inherently know why your topic is even an issue.
Notice the first sentence of the "E" portion began with the transition "For example", and that the second sentence contained the transition "while others". Transitions are extremely important in writing since they give your paper a logical flow, depth and meaning. For more examples of transition words and phrases, click HERE.
Narrow
The third step to a good introduction is to narrow down your topic to the specific issues you plan to evaluate throughout your paper. Remember, your paper should have a logical flow, so the transition from the topic of countries facing internal and external problems to the specific issues the United States faced should be seamless.
Notes:
This sentence narrows the topic down from why the issue is important, to the specific issues facing the country. The issues mention will be the topics for each paragraph later in the essay. Again, readers should experience smooth transitions that ultimately lead to a point. The transitions help put the troubles into context and help the reader infer why it was an issue. Again, for more help or ideas with transition words and phrases, click HERE.
Background Information
The fourth step in our introductionis to include background information about the specific troubles narrowed down in the previous step. Again, as with "explain and expand" background information can be gathered through a simple Google search, or you may pull from your own knowledge on the topic. Please note, if you choose to include specific facts in your background information, such as statistics, quotes, etc., it may be necessary to cite your sources. For more information about how to cite sources, click HERE.
Notes:
Notice that the nature of the internal and external problems are clarified, including specific instances which will be discussed in the paper, yet the details of the example are not discussed. Background info is provided to the cause of the problem, but not the effect (this is something reserved for the body paragraphs). Also, nothing in this section is cited, since the information written is considered general knowledge. However, if this information was researched then it would be necessary to cite this material.
Thesis
The final stage in writing your introductory paragraph is to develop a thesis statement regarding the problems. A thesis statement is usually one sentence in which you make a definitive statement regarding the way the country responded to these issues. It is important to note that since this is an expository research paper and not a reflective paper, you will not be using the words "I", "Me" or "In my opinion". The point of a research paper is to support your thesis statement with evidence (research) that you have collected, not with your personal beliefs.
Notes:
The thesis is a simple, yet intelligent statement where an opinion is formed. The reader now knows that he/she will expect to find evidence in support of your thesis. A Thesis statement must be debatable, either for or against. The reader will also maintain the disposition of being persuaded. Consequently, each body paragraphs will focus on specific claims that you will state that each help to prove your thesis.
A Thesis Statement must be (SID) Simple, Intelligible, Debatable
Throughout history the challenge of how to respond to foreign and domestic issues has long been a major issue for countries, yet while many of these issues are the same each of these countries handled these problems differently.
Throughout history the challenge of how to respond to foreign and domestic issues has long been a major issue for countries, yet while many of these issues are the same each of these countries handled these problems differently. For example, many countries have managed to throw off the chains of oppressive authoritarians only to instill a new form of oppressive government, while others still have been unable to defend against the intrusive nature of foreign influence.
Throughout history the challenge of how to respond to foreign and domestic issues has long been a major issue for countries, yet while many of these issues are the same each of these countries handled these problems differently. For example, many countries have managed to throw off the chains of oppressive authoritarians only to instill a new form of oppressive government, while others still have been unable to defend against the intrusive nature of foreign influence. In 1777 the United States of America, a fledgling nation just over their revolution against Great Britain, also faced problems at home and abroad, such as the loose and strict construction and interpretation of the Constitution, diverging political conflict, and renewed threat of revolution all resulted in problems internally and externally for the New Nation.
Throughout history the challenge of how to respond to foreign and domestic issues has long been a major issue for countries, yet while many of these issues are the same each of these countries handled these problems differently. For example, many countries have managed to throw off the chains of oppressive authoritarians only to instill a new form of oppressive government, while others still have been unable to defend against the intrusive nature of foreign influence. In 1777 the United States of America, a fledgling nation just over their revolution against Great Britain, also faced problems at home and abroad, such as the loose and strict construction and interpretation of the Constitution, diverging political conflict, and renewed threat of revolution all resulted in problems internally and externally for the New Nation. How best to interpret the issue of federal power vs. states rights regarding the constitution generated political arguments, especially Hamilton's Financial Plan. Ideological differences over dealing with other countries, such as the British presence in the Northwest Territory, resulted in political factions in stark contrast to the spirit of national unity. Additionally, the French Monarchy’s support of the American Revolution led to financial deficits and subsquently inspired French citizens in their own revolution; however, when its aftermath led to the “Reign of Terror” further political divide ensued on whether to support the new democracy or condemn the violent rebellion.
Throughout history the challenge of how to respond to foreign and domestic issues has long been a major issue for countries, yet while many of these issues are the same each of these countries handled these problems differently. For example, many countries have managed to throw off the chains of oppressive authoritarians only to instill a new form of oppressive government, while others still have been unable to defend against the intrusive nature of foreign influence. In 1777 the United States of America, a fledgling nation just over their revolution against Great Britain, also faced problems at home and abroad, such as the loose and strict construction and interpretation of the Constitution, diverging political conflict, and renewed threat of revolution all resulted in problems internally and externally for the New Nation. How best to interpret the issue of federal power vs. states rights regarding the constitution generated political arguments, especially Hamilton's Financial Plan. Ideological differences over dealing with other countries, such as the British presence in the Northwest Territory, resulted in political factions in stark contrast to the spirit of national unity. Additionally, the French Monarchy’s support of the American Revolution led to financial deficits and subsquently inspired French citizens in their own revolution; however, when its aftermath led to the “Reign of Terror” further political divide ensued on whether to support the new democracy or condemn the violent rebellion. The actions of the Executive office in its initial years of the developing political climate to various foreign and domestic challenges would set the precedence for how the nation and later presidents would respond with later parallel issues.