Introductions

Louise Livesey

Academic Skills Adviser

This workshop will...

- Discuss the function of an introduction- Consider the features of an effective introduction- Offer tips about different potential structures for

introductions

The Plan…

1. Basic functions of an introduction

2. Interpreting the question

3. How the answer will be organised

4. The features of an effective introduction

5. Different structure types

6. Writing tips

An effective introduction…

should include:A. An interpretation of the question or task

B. How the answer is organised

could include:C. Gain the reader’s attention

D. Create a positive impression of you in the mind of your tutor.

1.Basic functions of an introduction

Show an understanding of the question

or

point to the importance of concepts and the intended analysis

Be brief

2.Interpreting the question

Authority amounts to no more than the possession of power.’ Discuss.

Most of us would no doubt agree that in the cases of police officers and government officials this claim is largely true: their authority does seem to derive exclusively from the power they have been given. Indeed, we acknowledge their authority because we are all too aware of the consequences of not doing so. But to accept that every case of authority amounts to no more than the claim that might is right, threatens the very existence of modern democracy along with its goal of balancing order with accountability and justice. Either way, whatever we’re prepared to believe depends upon our understanding of the two central concepts: power and authority.

2.Interpreting the question

‘Advertisers seek only to ensure that consumers make informed choices.’ Discuss.

Most advertising executives are willing to defend their profession by arguing that all they are doing is informing the public and in doing so protecting the democratic freedoms of individuals, in particular their freedom of choice. To a certain extent, of course, this is true: without advertising we would be less informed about new developments in technology, in fashion and in medical advances. Even government warnings about the dangers at work and in the home depend upon advertisements. But the key to this is the claim that this is the ‘only’ thing they do, when most of the public suspect their paramount concern is to manipulate consumers into buying products that they may not want or need.

2.Interpreting the question

TALKING POINT

Road map

Start Signposts Destination

3.How the answer will be organised

Evaluate the claim that Coronation Street is the most enjoyable contemporary British soap opera.

Coronation Street consistently receives high viewer-ratings. This essay explores the basis of this popularity, evaluating its appeal in comparison to two other major contemporary British soap operas: EastEnders and Brookside.

3.How the answer will be organised

Coronation Street consistently receives high viewer-ratings. This essay explores the basis of this popularity, evaluating its appeal in comparison to two other major contemporary British soap operas: EastEnders and Brookside. In the process, the essay will analyse Coronation Street’s use of strong female characters, its exploration of women’s lives, and its humorous treatment of make characters. I will contrast these to the ‘gritty realism’ favoured by EastEnders and Brookside.

TALKING POINT

3.How the answer will be organised

Five features

4.The features of an effective introduction

Stating the overall topic

Giving any general context/background

Outlining any key terms or concepts

Sharing the structure of the

written work

Providing a short conclusory statement

Activity 1: Feature spottingCoronation Street consistently receives high viewer-ratings. This essay explores the basis of this popularity, evaluating its appeal in comparison to two other major contemporary British soap operas: EastEnders and Brookside. In its opening section, the essay uses feminist theory to analyse Coronation Street’s appeal in term of its historical ‘women centredness’, in particular its focus on strong female characters, its exploration of women’s lives and its often humorous treatment of men. The essay then goes onto contrast this approach to the more naturalistic ‘gritty realism’ of EastEnders and Brookside which, it will be argued, have historically tended to focus more strongly on social issues such as unemployment and HIV. The essay argues that, in comparison to Coronation Street, this ‘gritty realism’ fails to connect with women’s culture and that it is the appeal to women of these less naturalistic elements that underlies Coronation Street’s continuing popularity.

4.The features of an effective introduction

Two approaches

The ‘tell them what you are going to tell them’ approach

The ‘quote a quote’ approach

5.Different structure types

Playing tutor: Introduction 1

As we all know, Britain is a multicultural society. In the 1960s many thousands of immigrants came to the country, mostly setting up home in the major cities. The majority of these immigrants came from the West Indies, India and Pakistan and Hong Kong. Racism has always been a problem, with the various groups of immigrants seen as stereotypes, although over the years there has been increasing integration into British society, particularly by the children of immigrant families. This is reflected in the mass media. Twenty years ago black people were rarely seen on television and very few held jobs in the press. However, nowadays, more and more black people work as journalists and are thus able to look at events from a different perspective.

6.Writing tips

Playing tutor: Introduction 2

Stereotypes are everywhere: the reserved British, the disorganised Italians, the shopping-obsessed Japanese. This essay will talk about these stereotypes and ask if they are true. It is going to look at the different types of stereotypes and their representation in the media. The following areas will be covered: television; radio; the press, and the cinema. I will particularly look at television and ask the question "Does television reinforce these stereotypes?"

6.Writing tips

Playing tutor: Introduction 3Stereotypes abound in today's society. People seem to have an innate compulsion to categorise others into various groups and then to apply rigid and limited descriptions to these groups. There are therefore, amongst others, stereotypical nationalities and races; stereotypical sexes and sexual orientations and stereotypical classes. And one place where these stereotypes often thrive is in the mass media, particularly in the tabloid press and popular television, such as in situation comedy. Some, for example Hick (1996), claim that this is a harmless phenomenon, whereas commentators such as Ealham (1998) point to the possible dangers of obsessive stereotyping in the media. This essay will examine what sociological evidence there is for the process of stereotyping in the mass media, and will then go on to analyse the reasons for its occurrence. The final part of the essay will ask how far society's attitudes are in fact shaped by this portrayal of the various kinds of stereotypes.

6.Writing tips

Academic Liaison, Employability and Skills. (2014) Writing Introductions. Carlisle: University of Cumbria [online] Available at:

http://www.cumbria.ac.uk/Public/LISS/Documents/skillsatcumbria/WritingIntroductions.pdf [Accessed 19.9.2014]

Bradford Gold. (2014) Bradford - Olympic Torch Relay Map. [online] Available at:

http://www.bradfordgold.com/london-2012/london-2012-olympic-torch-relay [Accessed 22.9.2014]

Greetham, B. (2013) How to Write Better Essays. 3rd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Morley, J. Academic phrasebank. Manchester: University of Manchester. [online] Available at: http://www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk/ [Accessed 19.9.2014]

Neville, C. (2009) How to improve your assignment results. Maidenhead: OUP

Redman, P. (2001) Good essay writing. 2nd ed. London: Sage Publications Ltd.

Tammycat (2014) http://www.tvguide.co.uk/reviews.asp?title=Coronation+Street

AGAIN STUCK ON HOW TO REFERENCE THIS AS IS A COMMENT ON A WEBSITE

 

 

References

Academic Skills Advice Service

• Where are we? Chesham Building B0.23• What do we do? Support undergraduate students with

their study skills by running clinics and workshops, having bookable appointment slots, and enabling students to drop-in for Instant Advice.

• Who are we? Michael and Helen specialise in Maths Support; Lucy and Russell advise students on study skills; and I (Louise) deliver the workshops

• When can you come for help? Everyday both face to face and on-line

• How do I get in touch? Email: academic-skills@brad.ac.uk or website www.brad.ac.uk/academic-skills

Any questions?