The Historian's Portfolio #7 Skill: Introductions

The introduction is the foundation of every piece of writing. When writing for history your introduction should include the following items:

1. An interesting hook to draw in the reader that is specific to the time period and topic you are writing about.

2. The historical context that will situate your reader in time. Don't assume that the reader has background knowledge! Provide them with the information they need to follow along with you.

3. A short introduction to the source(s) you will be writing about.

4. YOUR ARGUMENT!!!! To make your argument compelling you also want to include a sense of how you will prove that you are right.

For your final portfolio I am providing you with an introduction that I have written. It is absolutely NOT a model of what you should do for your papers. I have tried to write an ineffective introduction. Read it carefully and identify the problems with the introduction. Once you have completed this task, use the space provided below to suggest ways to correct the problems. The intention here is to help you to recognize the things you might want to incorporate into your own introduction for your Battle Lines paper.

As you read this introduction annotate it carefully. Underline, circle, make notes - anything that will help you to see what makes this an ineffective introduction.

Everyone knows there was a Civil War but not everyone knows what it was all about. You could read a History book to learn more, but I think those are really boring. Sometimes people will watch movies to help them learn, but those might not be historically accurate. I like comic books though, SO a book with a lot of pictures will help to keep me interested. I might even read the whole thing! If you want to learn about the war, you should read this book.

Based on the 4 items that I listed above, what are the ways that this introduction could be improved?

1. Hook
2. Context
3. Source(s)
4. Argument

The Historian's Portfolio #7 Skill: Introductions The introducti...