Writing Effective Introductions
The best documents include an introduction which orients the reader to the document in its broadest sense. That is, the introduction needs to help a reader understand what they are about to read and why. Most introductions run a full page or two in length. Effective introductions usually cover these basic issues:
- What is the purpose of this document?
- Who is the intended audience for this document?
- What sort of information is contained in the document?
- What basic conventions/assumptions does the document contain?
- What background information/definitions might be needed before a person begins reading?
Your introduction also should establish the general tone of your document. Is the document meant to be serious, very technical, light-hearted? The way you word your introduction creates an expectation in your readers for what the rest of the document will be like.
Finally, a good introduction also should contain suitable graphics/colors to help develop the overall feel for the document.
Sample Introductions
- A Simple Book Repair Manual
- A Manual for Planning and Implementing the LSMS Survey
- Medicinal Herbs