| How to Improve Mental Math Skills Posted: 17 May 2021 05:00 PM PDT Eventually, you'll find yourself in a situation where you'll have to solve a math problem without a calculator. Trying to imagine a pen and paper in your head often doesn't help much. Fortunately there are faster and easier ways to do calculations in your head—and they often break down a problem in a way that makes more sense than what you learned in school. Whether you're a stressed-out student or a math wizard looking for even faster tricks, there's something for everyone to learn. [Edit]Break addition and subtraction problems into parts. - Add the hundreds, tens, and ones places separately. Treat each group as a separate problem:
- 712 + 281 → "700 + 200," "10 + 80," and "2 + 1"
- 700 + 200 = 900, then 10 + 80 = 90, then 2 + 1 = 3
- 900 + 90 + 3 = 993.
- Thinking in "hundreds" or "tens" instead of single digits will make it easier to keep track when digits sum to more than ten. For example, for 37 + 45, think "30 + 40 = 70" and "7 + 5 = 12". Then add 70 + 12 to get 82.
[Edit]Change the problem to make round numbers. - Adjust to get round numbers, then correct after the problem is done. Round numbers are much faster for most of us to work with. Keep a mental note of the changes you made so you can adjust to get the exact answer at the end.[1] For example:
- ': For 596 + 380, realize that you can add 4 to 596 to round it to 600, then add 600 + 380 to get 980. Undo the rounding by subtracting 4 from 980 to get 976.
- ': For 815 - 521, break it up into 800 - 500, 10 - 20, and 5 - 1. To turn the awkward "10 - 20" into "20 - 20", add 10 to 815 to get 825. Now solve to get 304, then undo the rounding by subtracting 10 to get 294.
- ': For 38 x 3, you can add 2 to 38 to make the problem 40 x 3, which is 120. Since the 2 you added got multiplied by three, you need to undo the rounding by subtracting 2 x 3 = 6 at the end to get 120 - 6 = 114.
[Edit]Learn to add many numbers at once. - Reorder the numbers to make convenient sums. An addition problem is the same no matter what order you solve it in. Look for numbers that add up to 10 or other nice, round numbers:
- For example, 7 + 4 + 9 + 13 + 6 + 51 can be reorganized to (7 + 13) + (9 + 51) + (6 + 4) = 20 + 60 + 10 = 90.
[Edit]Multiply from left to right. - Keep track of the hundreds, tens, and ones places. On paper, most people multiply the ones place first, going from right to left. But in your head, it's easier to go the other way:
- For 453 x 4, start with 400 x 4 = 1600, then 50 x 4 = 200, then 3 x 4 = 12. Add them all together to get 1812.
- If both numbers have more than one digit, you can break it into parts. Each digit has to multiply with each other digit, so it can be tough to keep track of it all. 34 x 12 = + , which you can break down further into + = 300 + 40 + 60 + 8 = 408.
[Edit]Try a fast multiplication trick best for numbers 11 through 19. - Try this method of turning one hard problem into two easier ones. This is another way of breaking a problem into parts. It can be a little tricky to remember at first, but once you have it down it can make multiplication much faster. This is easiest when multiplying two numbers that are both in the range of 11 to 19, but you can learn to use it for other problems:[2]
- Let's look at numbers close to 10, like 13 x 15. Subtract 10 from the second number, then add your answer to the first: 15 - 10 = 5, and 13 + 5 = 18.
- Multiply your answer by ten: 18 x 10 = 180.
- Next, subtract ten from both sides and multiply the results: 3 x 5 = 15.
- Add your two answers together to get the final answer: 180 + 15 = 195.
- Careful with smaller numbers! For 13 x 8, you start with "8 - 10 = -2", then "13 + -2 = 11". If it's hard to work with negative numbers in your head, try a different method for problems like this.
- For larger numbers, it will be easier to use a "base number" like 20 or 30 instead of 10. If you try this, make sure you use that number everywhere that 10 is used above.[3] For example, for 21 x 24, you start by adding 21 + 4 to get 25. Now multiply 25 by 20 (instead of ten) to get 500, and add 1 x 4 = 4 to get 504.
[Edit]Simplify problems with numbers ending in zero. - If the numbers end in zeroes, you can ignore them until the end:
- If all numbers have zeroes at the end, you can ignore the zeroes they have in common and restore them at the end. 85 + 12 → 85 + 12 = 97, then restore the shared zero: 97.
- works the same way: 10 - 7 → 10 - 7 = 3, then restore the two shared zeroes to get 3. Notice that you can only remove the two zeroes the numbers have in common, and must keep the third zero in 1000.
- ignore all the zeroes, then restore each one individually. 3 x 5 → 3 x 5 = 15, then restore all four zeroes to get 15,.
- you can remove all shared zeroes and the answer will be the same. 60, ÷ 12, = 60 ÷ 12 = 5. Don't add any zeroes back on.
[Edit]Easily multiply by 4, 5, 8, or 16. - You can convert these problems so they only use 2s and 10s. Here's how:
- To multiply by 5, instead multiply by 10, then divide by 2.
- To multiply by 4, instead double the number, then double it again.
- For 8, 16, 32, or even higher powers of two, just keep doubling. For example, 13 x 8 = 13 x 2 x 2 x 2, so double 13 three times: 13 → 26 → 52 → 104.
[Edit]Memorize the 11s trick. - You can multiply a two-digit number by 11 with barely any math. Add the two digits together, then put the result in between the original digits:[4]
- What is x 11?
- Add the two digits together: + = 9.
- Put the answer in between the original digits: x 11 = 9.
- If the sum is more than 10, place only the final digit and carry the one: x 11 = 2, because 5 + 7 = 12. The 2 goes in the middle and the 1 gets added to the 5 to make 6.
[Edit]Turn percentages into easier problems. - Know which percentages are easier to calculate in your head. There are a couple useful tricks to know:[5]
- 79% of 10 is the same as 10% of 79. This is true of any two numbers. If you can't find the answer to a percentage problem, try switching it around.
- To find 10% of a number, move the decimal one place to the left (10% of 65 is 6.5). To find 1% of a number, move the decimal two places to the left (1% of 65 is 0.65).
- Use these rules for 10% and 1% to help you with more difficult percentages. For example, 5% is ½ of 10%, so 5% of 80 = (10% of 80) x ½ = 8 x ½ = 4.
- Break percentages into easier parts: 30% of 900 = (10% of 900) x 3 = 90 x 3 = 270.
[Edit]Memorize advanced multiplication shortcuts for specific problems. - These tricks are powerful, but narrow. They can turn a seemingly impossible mental math task into a quick task, but will only work on a very small percentage of problems. Learn these if you are already pretty good at mental math and want to approach "mathemagician" levels of speed:
- For problems like 84 x 86, where the tens place is the same and the ones place digits sum to exactly 10, the first digits of the answer are (8 + 1) x 8 = 72 and the last digits are 4 x 6 = 24, for an answer of 7224. That is, for a problem AB x AC, if B + C = 10, the answer starts with A(A+1) and ends with BC. This also works for larger numbers if all digits besides the ones place are identical.[6]
- You can rewrite the powers of five (5, 25, 125, 625, ...) as powers of 10 divided by an integer (10 / 2, 100 / 4, 1000 / 8, 10000 / 16, ...).[7] So 88 x 125 becomes 88 x 1000 ÷ 8 = 88000 ÷ 8 = 11000.
[Edit]Memorize squares charts. - Squares charts give you a new way to multiply. Memorizing your multiplication tables from 1 to 9 makes single-digit multiplication automatic. But for larger numbers, instead of trying to memorize hundreds of answers, it's more efficient to memorize just the squares instead (each number times itself). With a little extra work, you can use these squares to find the answer to other problems:[8]
- Memorize the squares from 1 to 20 (or higher, if you're ambitious). (That is, 1 x 1 = 1; 2 x 2 = 4; 3 x 3 = 9, and so on.)
- To multiply two numbers, first find their average (the number exactly between them). For example, the average of 18 and 14 is 16.
- Square this answer. Once you've memorized the squares chart, you'll know that 16 x 16 is 256.
- Next, look at the difference between the original numbers and their average: 18 - 16 = 2. (Always use a positive number here.)
- Square this number as well: 2 x 2 = 4.
- To get your final answer, take the first square and subtract the second: 256 - 4 = 252.
[Edit]Find useful ways to practice your mental math. - Daily practice will make a huge difference.[9] If you want to increase your confidence and speed at mental math, make an effort to use those skills at least two or three times a day. These suggestions can help you make this practice more effective:
- Flashcards are great for memorizing multiplication and division tables, or for getting used to tricks for specific kinds of problems. Write the problem on one side and the answer on the other, and quiz yourself daily until you get them all right.
- Online math quizzes are another way to test your ability. Look for a well-reviewed app or website made by an educational program.
- Practice in everyday situations. You could add together the total of items you buy as you shop, or multiply the gas cost per volume by your car's tank size to find the total cost. The more of a habit this becomes, the easier it will be.
- In the real world, you don't always need to know the exact answer. If you're at the grocery store and trying to add 7.07 + 8.95 + 10.09, you could round to the closest whole numbers and estimate that the total is roughly 7 + 9 + 10 = 26.
- Some people find it easier to think in money than abstract numbers. Instead of 100 - 55, try thinking of a dollar minus a 50¢ coin and a 5¢ coin.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Paint With Acrylics Posted: 17 May 2021 09:00 AM PDT If you're feeling artistic, acrylic paint is a great medium to work with. It's really versatile—you can use it to paint a variety of surfaces, and it's easy to create a lot of different textures and effects. It also dries quickly, so you don't have to wait as long between layers as you would if you were using oil paint. However, you do have to be careful that the paint doesn't dry out while you're working with it. If you're ready to create your next masterpiece, we're here to answer your most important questions about working with acrylic paint! [Edit]How do you set up an acrylic paint palette? - Pick 4-6 colors and squeeze a small amount of each onto a palette. When it comes to acrylic paint, a little goes a long way, so only squeeze out a small dollop of each color to begin with. That way, the colors won't dry out before you use them, and you'll have plenty left in the tube to add more when you need it. Space out the colors around the perimeter of the palette. That way, you can use the center of the palette for mixing different shades.[1]
- Try starting with the 3 primary colors—red, blue, and yellow—plus black and white.[2] Or, if you prefer a more natural palette, you might start with white, yellow, red, brown, and blue.[3]
- If the paint is in a jar, scoop out a small amount with a palette knife.
[Edit]Can you mix acrylic paint to get new colors? - Yes, blend paints on your palette to get new hues. It's rare for painters to use an acrylic color as-is, straight from the tube. To fine-tune your color selection, pull 2 dabs of different colors to the center of your palette, and mix them with a knife or brush. This will help you create rich hues to give your painting a personalized look.[4]
- Lighten a color without changing its opacity by mixing it with a little white paint.[5] Similarly, make your color darker by mixing it with dark blue or brown paint.[6]
- Try looking at a color wheel while you're working. For example, if you look at a color wheel, you'll see that mixing red and yellow will give you a bright orange.[7]
- Work quickly as you're mixing paints, since acrylic paints dry out quickly.[8]
[Edit]How do you keep acrylic paint from drying out? - Mist your palette every 10-15 minutes while you paint. Fill a small spray bottle with water and keep it close at hand. About every 10-15 minutes or so, spritz the water over the paint that's on the palette. This should help prevent the paint from hardening while you're working.[9]
- If the paint dries in your palette, add more of the same color on top of it. If the dried paint is too built up, you can also scrape it out to get a fresh start.
- Use a stay-wet palette to keep the paint wet longer. You can either purchase a stay-wet palette, or you can make your own by stacking together about 6-10 sheets of paper towels. Soak the paper towels thoroughly, then place them in a tray and put the paint directly onto the paper towels.[10]
[Edit]What is the best canvas for acrylic paint? - Choose a primed, stretched canvas for a simple option. If you're a beginning painter, canvas will be your go-to painting surface. The easiest way to buy canvas is to purchase one that's already stretched over a wooden frame. These are often primed in advance, as well.[11]
- Go with unprimed, unstretched canvas to save money. Unstretched canvases are typically sold as fabric wound on a large roll. You'll need to stretch the canvas tightly and nail it to a wooden frame.[12] Then, paint a layer of gesso on the canvas and allow it to dry before you begin painting.[13]
- Opt for a thick watercolor paper if you'd like to use watered-down acrylic. If you like the watercolor look but prefer to use acrylic paint, try painting on art paper that's at least 300 lb. weight. Since art paper is cheaper than canvas, this can be a good way to experiment with acrylics.[14]
- Keep in mind that paper will absorb some of the paint, so your finished work won't be as vivid as it would if you used a non-porous surface like primed canvas or wood.
- If you use thinner paper, it will wrinkle or warp, and it may tear.
[Edit]What brushes should you use for acrylic paint? - Use large, flat brushes to outline the shapes of your subject. When you're starting an acrylic painting, start by creating the rough shapes of the objects in your picture. For example, if you're painting a scenic mountain view, begin by outlining the bold contours of the mountain peaks.[15]
- If you have a large background area, you may want to put down the base color after you paint your outlines. Then, fill in any details later in the process.
- You might find it helpful to work with opaque acrylic colors while painting outlines—typically, this will be color straight from the tube. Then, when you're detailing the painting, work with more transparent colors, or paint that's been thinned with water or a thinning medium.
- Use smaller brushes to add details to your painting. Once you've completed the major shapes of your painting, pick up your smaller detail brushes. Use these to add touches of detail, like fine lines or texture. Try out a variety of fine-tipped brushes to create different sized lines and visual effects on your canvas.[16]
- For example, once you've contoured the large mountain peaks, use smaller, more pointed brushes for filling in details like individual trees, a lake, or campers on the shore.
- Experiment with brush shapes to create different effects. The shape of the brush will have a big impact on how the paint looks when you apply it to the canvas. Try keeping a variety of brushes on hand so you can easily add variety and detail. For example, you might use:[17]
- Round brushes for lines and detail work
- Flat brushes for making big, bold strokes and filling in large spaces
- Fan brushes for blending and feathering
- Angular flat brushes for filling in corners and fine details
[Edit]Do you wet the brush before using acrylic paint? - Use a wet brush to get even coverage on your canvas. Most of the time, you'll use a wet brush to work with acrylic paint. This will allow the brush to glide evenly over the surface of the canvas, so the paint will evenly coat the background. This is especially helpful when you're painting a large area or shadowy backgrounds, but you should wet the brush any time you want a solid color on the canvas.[18]
- Try a dry brush to add more texture and detail work to the painting. If the brush is dry, it will skip a little when you run it across the surface of your painting. This will give the paint a grainy look, so it's great for areas where you want to add a little bit of texture or detail.[19]
- For instance, you might dry brush the ground in your painting to create the appearance of grass.
- If you're dry brushing, be sure to blot the brush dry thoroughly if you rinse it between colors.[20]
[Edit]How do you thin out acrylic paint? - Make the color more translucent by adding water. When applied straight from the tube, acrylic paints can look thick and opaque. Change the paint's opacity by adding more water to the paint that's on your palette. The more water you add to the paint, the more transparent the color will become.[21]
- When you're mixing acrylic paint with water, don't add more than about 20% water compared to the paint. If you use more than that, the binding agent that makes the paint stick to the surface might fail, causing the paint to peel off once it's dry.
- Thin out acrylics with glaze or paste to change the texture of the paint. If you only use straight acrylic paint on a canvas, the entire painting will have a bland, uniform texture. Thinning out the acrylics with mix-ins will vary the visual textures. So, mix in other mediums, such as glaze or texture paste, when thinning the acrylic. In general, thinning out your acrylic paint will give it a liquid, watery look once it's dried.[22]
- Glazes will give the dried paint a satiny color and a bright, shiny texture.
- Texture pastes add a rough, chunky texture to the paint, but may dampen the color a bit after drying.
- Don't use more than about 30% of your chosen medium, or else the paint might not coat the surface of your canvas.
[Edit]How do you blend acrylic paint on the canvas? - Paint a line of one color, then a line of another, and blend with your brush. Place the two lines so that one is just above the other. Then, swipe your brush back and forth along the lines, working up and down as you go. This will create a smooth gradient so the colors look like they're blended into each other.[23]
- You'll get the smoothest transition if both of the colors are wet while you're working. However, if you want a more textured look, lay down the darker color, let it dry, then brush the lighter color over it.
[Edit]Can you layer acrylic paints? - Yes, work in layers to create texture and dimension. When you're working with acrylic paints, it's best to work in layers. This will allow you to create dimension, like creating shadows and highlights in a tree by using varying shades of green.[24]
- Leave enough time for each layer of paint to dry before you paint another layer over it. Thin layers will dry in about 30 minutes, while thick layers will take over 1 hour to dry.
- Add dark colors and broad shapes, then move to light colors and detail. When you start painting, lay down your outlines, large shapes, and any shadowy areas first. Use the darkest colors that you've laid out on your palette. Then, as you add each new layer, gradually lighten the colors, adding detail, texture, and highlights.[25]
- Acrylic paints don't mix once they've dried. If you start painting with the lightest colors first, then go over them with darker colors, the darker colors will just cover up the lighter paint—they won't become lighter.
- This is just a general rule—sometimes if you add too much highlight, you may need to go in and fill in a little detail with a darker color. That's totally fine!
- If you're used to working with watercolors, you'll notice that this is the opposite of that process, where you always work from lightest to darkest.
[Edit]How do you create texture with acrylic paint? - Splatter paint with a wet brush to make thick chunks of color. Dip a paintbrush or toothbrush into water and then coat the bristles with paint. Hold the brush firmly in one hand, then strike the brush right below the bristles with the other hand. The paint will fly off in thick clots and stick to the canvas.[26]
- Splattering is a great technique to use if you're making an abstract art piece. Or, try splattering to add texture to your painting.
- Try holding the brush about from the canvas to control the spatter area. You can also use masking tape to block off any areas you don't want splattered.
- Create a stipple effect by dotting the paint on the canvas. To stipple, coat the bristles of a paintbrush in paint, then tap the tip of the paintbrush gently against the canvas to create a feathered, dotted effect. This would work well for painting birds or animals, or to bring a feathery texture into an abstract work.[27]
- When you're stippling, never slide the bristles along the canvas. This will smear the stipples together and ruin the effect.
- You can also dip a sponge in paint, then dab the sponge lightly on the canvas to create a bubbly effect.
[Edit]How do you get perfect lines when you paint with acrylics? - Lay a piece of masking tape on the canvas to make hard edges. Masking tape can be used like painters use painter's tape when outlining the edge of a ceiling, for example. Apply masking tape directly to the canvas, or to already dried paint without damaging it. Simply press the tape down so that no paint can escape under its surface and bleed underneath. Then, after you've painted your hard edge, remove the masking tape to reveal your perfectly straight line.[28]
- This technique would work well for the sharp sides of a mountain peak or the clean lines of a building.
[Edit]How do you clean acrylic paints off a palette? - Let the used paints dry before disposing of them in the trash. Do not wash your color palette, since the acrylic paint might clog your pipes. Instead, use a plastic tray as a color palette, and let the leftover paint dry after you're finished using it. Then, peel the paint off from the tray when it's completely dried.[29]
- You could also just apply new, wet paint directly over the dried paints. It's best to use the same color as the dried paint—the colors won't mix once the paint is dry, but it might be hard to see exactly what color you're using if you layer different colors over the dried paint.
- If the paints are still very wet, you might be able to just wipe them out of the palette with a damp paper towel.[30]
- Rinse the paint off your brush before switching colors so your painting doesn't get muddied.
- Acrylic paint is great for a variety of different surfaces, so use your imagination! For instance, you might try painting on wood, rock, glass, metal, or ceramic.[31]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Start an Introductory Paragraph Posted: 17 May 2021 01:00 AM PDT The introduction of your essay or article has to capture the reader's attention right away—so it's extremely important that you nail the start of your intro! No matter what you're writing, it's essential to avoid clichés and be clear and engaging. This article lists many helpful tips for starting an intro, including several "do's" and "don't's" that are suited to a wide range of essay types. For example, here's one great tip: save writing your intro for last so you can make it perfect! [Edit]Identify your topic, context, and focus. - Treat the whole of your intro as the gateway into your essay. Your introduction has to do a lot in 5 sentences or so: identify the topic, provide context, and offer your thesis or major focus. And the start of the intro in particular needs to immediately catch the reader's attention and flow seamlessly into what follows. But fear not! The key is to use efficient, engaging writing that makes every word count.[1]
- Start your intro with an attention-grabber. The rest of this article provides several good options, like scene-setters, anecdotes, and quotations.
- Follow up with a few sentences that offer some context for the essay topic and the thesis or main focus you're about to identify.
- Finish with a single sentence that clearly lays out your primary argument or point of focus for the entire essay or article.
[Edit]Set the scene for the reader. - Transport the reader into the world of your writing. Instead of setting the scene from a detached point of view, take the reader right into the action. For instance, you might start the intro paragraph for a war story like this: "Craters scarred the landscape. The smell of gunpowder hung in the air. In the distance, the husk of a burned-out automobile belched black smoke."[2]
- After describing the aftermath of the battle, zoom out to describe the duration of the conflict, the reasons behind it, the long-term impact, and so on.
- Setting the scene is a great intro option for news articles, historical essays, and fiction writing, to name but a few examples.
[Edit]Offer an anecdote. - Anecdotes help readers connect with both informational and analytical essays. An anecdote is a brief story that relates either literally or symbolically to the topic you're writing about. For instance, if you're writing about how extremists have been infiltrating a political party, you might start the paragraph with a summation of Homer's "Iliad," focusing especially on the Trojan horse ploy.[3]
- Alternately, you could provide a more literal anecdote. For instance, if your topic is the ecological crisis, you might provide a brief story about how quickly a certain species is going extinct.
[Edit]Make a bold statement. - Surprise the reader to draw them into your interpretive or opinion essay. A bold statement is one that startles or amazes readers. For instance, it could be a statistic like "7 people under the age of 20 are shot every day." You could also provide an unusual fact. For example, you might write about how sand shark embryos eat their gestating counterparts while still in the womb.[4]
- Anything that instantly hooks readers and draws them in is a great start for an introduction![5]
[Edit]Rely on a famous person or quote. - Lend weight to a research-based essay by using an authoritative source. Don't just name-drop or use a random, cool-sounding quote—choose a relevant person or quote that carries authority on the topic. Run internet searches for quotes that are on your topic, especially ones from well-known people. Politicians, captains of industry, religious leaders, scientists, scholars, artists, and athletes can often provide relevant quotes.[6]
- If you start your opening paragraph with a quote, you may find it helpful to make a callback to the quote in your closing statement. Consider an ending hook that addresses the meaning of your quote to bring the argument full-circle.
[Edit]Provide a historical review. - This helps orient readers about the topic of a scholarly essay. The introductory paragraph is often the best place to lay out how people generally think about a topic. For instance, say your research topic is about how tattoos are central to Maori culture. In this case, you might open your intro paragraph with some background information about Maori society, references to the larger body of scholarship on Maori tattoos, or quotes from the first historical accounts about them.[7]
- Using your introductory paragraph to provide more context can be really helpful for readers, especially if they're not well-versed on the topic. It helps them better understand the relevant points of the topic that your essay debunks, refines, or expands upon[8]
[Edit]Condense the 5 W's to their essence. - Provide clear, concise details right away in a news article or informative essay. Immediately giving the 5 W's (who, what, when, where, why), as well as the "how," helps readers decide if they should continue reading. However, instead of writing an intro that's jam-packed with 5 W's details, strip them down to their essential components. Give readers the info they need, but do it efficiently and effectively.[9]
- For instance, instead of writing, "President Jones declared in a joint session of Congress today that he will work with his counterparts abroad to reorganize international fiscal policy and lending practices, making it easier to distribute international aid," you could write, "A new law aims to fast-track international aid to developing nations."
- Here's an example that gives lots of details without going overboard: "On Saturday, a local librarian unexpectedly became a foster mother to 5 kittens when an unknown person left them on the library doorstep. Lucille Jenkins, 35, says she took the kittens in because 'it was the right thing to do.'"
[Edit]Offer news analysis instead of details. - This change-of-pace move for news articles can help set your story apart. By starting your intro paragraph with a bit of analysis, you can explore in greater depth the ramifications of a well-known story or a story that has been covered elsewhere. In this case, instead of providing the five W's, you focus much more specifically on the "how" of the topic.[10]
- For instance, instead of describing or reporting on the actual details of a public policy and how it moved through the legislative process, use the start of your introductory paragraph to explain how the policy will change society or the lives of those affected.
- An analytical lede might also include information regarding who benefits and why, but the primary focus should be on explaining how a news item or event works, rather than merely describing it.
[Edit]Avoid "cosmic statement" clichés. - Focus on your topic instead of making overly broad or hackneyed statements. All writers, even the great ones, sometimes fall into the trap of using "cosmic statement" clichés like "There are two sides to every issue," "Since time immemorial," and "For many years…" But you can resist this off-putting urge! Instead, cite a specific historical range (when relevant) or specific cultural conditions, and keep your writing centered on the subject or issue under examination.[11]
- For example, instead of "People have been making cloth since the dawn of time," you might say, "The prehistoric Egyptians were producing high-quality linen cloth as early as 5000 BC."
[Edit]Skip dictionary definitions. - This type of intro is usually considered uninspired and trite. It seems like a good idea at first, but the dictionary definition intro has been so overdone that it nearly always pushes the reader away instead of drawing them in. Sure, use the dictionary definition for your own reference, but aim for an intro that's more creative and challenging and offers your reader new information.[12]
- If you feel obligated to delineate more clearly what you're writing about, that's fine, but do it without directly referring to dictionary definitions.
- Once in a blue moon, it may actually be helpful to start with a dictionary definition. For example, you might do so if you are discussing an extremely difficult-to-define term or concept, or writing about the meaning or origin of a word. But consider alternatives first!
[Edit]Eliminate qualifying language. - Writing with confidence draws in readers, so believe in yourself! For instance, don't start your intro paragraph with unnecessary qualifiers like "I think…" or "I believe..." or "In my opinion…" Instead, just state the facts, lay out the case, or set the scene with a convincing, authoritative voice that makes it clear that your writing is worth reading. Trust in your writing and your reader![13]
- For instance, compare the following and take note of how 3 little words can make a huge difference in how authoritative and confident each sentence reads:
- "In my opinion, 'Ozymandias,' Shelley's famous poem, reveals the impermanence of human achievement."
- "'Ozymandias,' Shelly's famous poem, reveals the impermanence of human achievement."
[Edit]Write the start of your intro last. - Wait so you can craft a killer intro that perfectly suits your essay. Write a generic intro if you want, then fill out your body paragraphs, and only then analyze what you have and reconsider your intro. This strategy gives you more time to consider the connections between your own writing and other material on the topic, or connections between the many elements within your article or essay.[14]
- The opening line of your intro is the first impression that will color how everything you write after that is perceived by the reader. So take your time and make it count!
- Write the conclusion next-to-last and the intro last, or vice versa. Aim for them to connect and relate perfectly.
- After crafting your intro paragraph, read the whole thing out loud. This will help you sense whether the start of the introductory paragraph meshes well with its middle and end. As you read, listen for logical inconsistencies, unclear passages, missing details, and spelling or grammar errors.[15]
- Edit the intro paragraph for filler. Only keep passages that demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the topic.
- Get others' opinions. They may catch errors or inconsistencies that you missed. Let them read the intro, then ask questions like "Did the wording make sense to you?" and "Does this make you want to keep reading?"
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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