We are constantly approached by people who ask, "Solipsist, how do I start an essay."
"Well," we reply, "there are SEVERAL ways to begin an essay, but can I please just have a Number 1 with a Diet Coke?"
Starting with a joke works.
People often have trouble writing introductions. The biggest problem, we find, arises from the mistaken belief that, since the intro is the first part of the essay, it must be the first thing written. This is not the case. Indeed, the good writer will usually write the introduction in the late stages of the composition process, most likely after composing an entire draft. We explain to our students that writing an introduction before writing a draft is like introducing a person you've never met--or, more precisely, introducing a person that hasn't yet been born. When you read introductions to novels, you can assume that the intro's writer has read the work under discussion.
If, however, you find yourself under time pressure--if you have to produce an essay under test situations--we highly recommend the opposing point of view, or "Many People Think," introduction. If, for example, you have to write about whether or not brussels sprouts are disgusting, and you adopt the rational view (they're like poison), you would begin your essay like so:
"Many people think that brussels sprouts are delicious. Whether these people are certfiably insane or were simply born without taste buds, they feel that brussels sprouts are veritable ambrosia."
Then, you "turn" the conversation:
"These people, however, have a mistaken idea about the meaning of the word 'edible.'"
And wrap up with the thesis:
"Brussels sprouts are the Hitler of vegetables."
The "MPT" intro offers several advantages:
(1) It's easy. After all, if you know what YOU think, it's easy enough to figure out what those who disagree with you think.
(2) It makes you look like a rational person who is able to recognize and articulate the point of view of those who disagree with them, rather than some narrow-minded solipsistic proselytizer.
Happy writing.
You're wrong. Nobody likes brussel sprouts.
ReplyDeleteWe at Borealkraut take exception! Regretting how behind we are on keeping up with the blog world, we now offer our rebuttal, using the MPT approach of course (and published at Borealkitchen.blogspot.com):
ReplyDeleteIn defense of Brussel Sprouts
I used to think of Brussels Sprouts as evil. My husband calls them "Martian heads", and they do seem a bit alien, indeed! But I'd like to make the case for this under-appreciated fall vegetable, which can be quite tasty when cooked properly.
Here's my mantra:
(1) Make sure they're fresh -- they get tough w/ age, and don't store well.
(2) Don't over-cook! Brussels Sprouts and many other members of the cabbage-family release sinigrin, a glucosinalate that smells and tastes sulphury. To avoid, steam or cook minimally.
(3) Try something new! For example, pair it with mustard & capers (recipe here), or an orange-maple-whiskey sauce (recipe here), or with chestnuts (recipe here).
(4) Simplest and best: Coat with olive oil, salt and pepper, and pan-fry or roast until fork prick indicates doneness.
Remember, real men do eat Brussels Sprouts!!!
Did you just call us a fork prick?
ReplyDelete